God deserves all our praises, worship, and adoration. For everything He has done for us – all His goodness, faithfulness, mercies, and everlasting love that is inseparable through Christ Jesus – He is worthy to be exalted and lifted high above all else. As you are here and thinking about how to exalt God in prayer, know that there are many ways to do this:
- You exalt Him for Who He is
Meditating on God’s character as you study His emotions and His heart is one of the best things you’ll ever do. Knowing Who God is can give you much peace, security, comfort, and assurance that no matter what life may bring, there’s more to this life. His presence is greater than life. What is there for you to worry about when God is above all?
- You exalt Him above the storms of life
When you praise God and lift up His name above every storm you may be facing in life, no waves, thunder, or heavy rains can destroy you because being in God’s presence will always take you to the highest place together with Him. No storm can reach you to distract you or take away your peace, joy, hope, and security in Christ Jesus.
- You exalt Him in times of trouble
Exalting God in times of trouble and the times when you stumble and fall is a powerful act of faith that says, “Nothing is too hard for You, God.” Most people find it challenging to thank God, praise Him, and magnify Him when crises and all sorts of trouble hit their life; it is the problem that’s being magnified instead of what God can do. But when you act out in faith and start praising God, thanking Him for the victory ahead in Christ Jesus, the voices of the enemies are shut out. Sometimes, it’s just all in the head, and what’s magnified inside the mind gets exalted. It’s better if it’s God and His Word that is revered instead.
- You exalt Him above every fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety.
What goes on in our thoughts greatly affects our emotions and perspectives in life. The more you dwell on your fears, doubts, worries, and anxieties, the more these things are magnified and exalted in your life. When these things are magnified, it can be hard to hear God’s voice and receive His peace. So, to exalt God, run to His Word. Isaiah 26:3 says that He keeps in perfect peace anyone whose mind is stayed on Him. When you think about God, it’s exaltation. You magnify Him above every negative thought and feeling.
- You exalt Him amid the pain and struggles you are going through
Pain and struggles are challenges that can break you or make you, but in Christ, you are already victorious. In the name of Jesus, you have the authority to cast out every thought, hurt, offense, and negative done and said to you. When you use your authority in Christ against your pain and struggles, you exalt God because you say “no” to things of lesser value than God.
- You exalt Him when the enemy attacks
When the enemy starts attacking you and bombarding you with lies, the best weapon is to start praising and exalting God. The enemy is afraid of your praises and worship because it causes heaven to manifest on earth. When heaven manifests on earth, the kingdom of darkness has no place. So, when the enemy starts to oppress you, start fighting back with praises, exaltations, and thanksgiving unto God.
- You exalt Him in all seasons of your life
Sometimes, it is easy to exalt God in the good times. When you feel good, when the blessings are pouring out, when there’s so much positivity in the air, you tend to be influenced by it and praise God for it. But true faith is birthed in a barren place because the most challenging season of your life is when genuine faith is truly tested. So, in all seasons, whether it’s one of a high or a low point, be consistent in exalting God and praising Him. This is what gives you true peace and victory in Christ Jesus at all times.
Here is a prayer of exalting, praising, and magnifying God:
Heavenly Father, I praise You, glorify You, and honor You for Who You are. You are an ever faithful, powerful, unrivaled, glorious, and victorious living God, Who takes care of all our needs and watches over us. Thank You, for You are my constant, my hope, and my defense. Whether life is smooth or stormy, You are on Your throne, and I can always trust in You. You are victorious and perfect in all Your ways in Christ Jesus. Bless the Lord, oh my soul! Amen.
What does it mean to exalt God?
To exalt God means to put Him in the highest place in your life. When you put His name above every other name, He isn’t rivaled by anything else in your life because you are so consumed by Who He is. His peace, security, comfort, Word, and everything about Him in Christ Jesus keep you, and these are the only things that matter to you. Exalting God in prayer is powerful because it means His victory reigns through Christ Jesus. No problem, no fear, no doubt, no insecurity, no man’s opinion, and no discouragement can distract you and stop you from doing the will of God because He is your priority in life. You put Him above every other thing, and He’s the One that truly matters to you. When you exalt God, the enemy hates it because he can’t come near you and torment you with lies. When you exalt God, you place yourself in the highest because the Word of God says that we are seated with Christ in the highest place (see Ephesians 2:6).
In 2 Chronicles 20, when the land of God’s people, Judah, was surrounded and at war with other nations, King Jehoshaphat led every battle to victory because he always praised God, exalted him, and worshiped him amid the battle they were going through. He prayed to God as they were faced with war: “O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? And rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?” (2 Chronicles 20:6) His prayers were always in full confidence of Who God is and he knew that his people would be safe in the hands of God.
When you put your confidence and hope in God – exalting Him above every situation, challenge, and problem – you will always walk in the victory of Christ Jesus. No weapon formed against you by the enemy will ever prosper because God is above all.
How can we praise God in our prayers?
There are many ways that you can praise God in your prayers. You can begin by being thankful for Who He is, exalting His name and His character in adoration and praise. Exalting God in prayer brings about an atmosphere of heaven, and every negativity fades in the mind, in the place, in a person, and so on because God’s presence is so powerful. Moreover, you can also praise God in your prayer by remembering all the goodness and wonderful deeds He has done in your life and simply being thankful for everything the Lord has done in your life.
You can praise God using your own words, simply being who you are in Christ—God appreciates and loves to hear your praises and honor to Him. You may also use the Scriptures to praise God in your prayer. The Book of Psalm has a lot of scriptures that are all about thanksgiving, praises, and exaltations of the Lord God Almighty. Here are two examples from the Book of Psalm that can be great prayers of praise and exaltation unto the Lord:
- Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 111
Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.