A Prayer of Worship and Adoration

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men^[a] from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”… After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!  They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11

Oh, to be the wise men on that glorious day! Oh, to be the shepherds making their journey to find the newborn king. Oh, the awe and wonder of seeing that holy baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger!

To fall to our knees and worship in praise and adoration of all God has done, the fulfillment of His promise.

To worship him simply for who He is!

As we reach the pinnacle of this Christmas season, we ask you to fill our hearts with the same sense of awe, with the same desire to fall on our knees, to bow before you just as the wise men did that glorious day. May we desire to bring our gifts of praise and adoration to the foot of the throne, to lay it at your feet in an extravagant display of our love and adoration of who you are.

Father, it is only because of your love and grace, because of your own extravagant love, that we can even consider coming to your presence. It is only because of the gift of your precious Son who so willingly gave His life for us that we can approach your throne of grace. What joy we find as we contemplate the immeasurable gifts you have given us.

Immanuel.

God with Us.

Wonderful

Counselor.

Mighty God.

Everlasting Father.

Prince of Peace.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Your names evoke such a sense of wonder as we carefully think on each one, on the power-packed meaning behind them.

You have been our God with Us, our Immanuel, in our times of greatest distress.

You have been Wonderful in our lives as you pour out your power and love as a display to all the world.

You have been our Counselor in those times when we were fraught with fear and confusion.

You have been Mighty God when you we were facing impossible situations.

You have been our Everlasting Father as we face an unknown future.

You have been our Prince of Peace in those times of utter chaos.

You have been our Great I Am, exactly what we need exactly when we need it.

How can we ever repay you for all you are, for all you have done?

It’s only by our worship, by our praise and adoration, that we can begin to express to you all you mean to us.

In the Christmas season, we offer you the greatest offering we have. We pour out our hearts in a gift of extravagant worship. We pour out our finest praise to you.

You, Lord, are worthy. You are wonderful. You are more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Scriptures of praise:

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. Psalm 9:1

The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! Psalm 18:46

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 28:6

Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. Psalm 31:21

that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:12

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. Psalm 34:1

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. Psalm 52:9

O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:17

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! Psalm 63:3

You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. Psalm 63:5

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. Psalm 66:20

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, Psalm 86:12