Have you ever noticed how much better conversations go when you start on a positive note? If you walked up to your mom and immediately said, “I need money for the school trip, my homework is too hard, and I don’t like what’s for dinner,” she might not be in the best mood to help you! But if you started by saying, “Hi Mom! Thanks for making such a great breakfast this morning. I love you!” and THEN talked about what you needed, the whole conversation would probably go better.

The same thing is true with prayer! When we come to God with all our problems and requests right away, we might forget something really important—we’re talking to the most amazing, powerful, loving God in the universe!

That’s why Psalm 100:4 tells us to “enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.” Think of it like walking into God’s throne room. Before you start telling the King of the Universe about all your problems, take a moment to remember who you’re talking to!

When we start our prayers with praise, we’re reminding ourselves that God is bigger than any problem we’re facing. We’re remembering that He’s good, He’s powerful, and He loves us. This actually makes us feel better about whatever we’re worried about!

Take Action: Try starting your prayers this week with the “Three P’s”: praise (telling God how awesome He is), personal thanks (thanking Him for specific things He’s done for you), and perspective (remembering that He’s in control of everything). THEN share your requests with Him. Notice how different your prayers feel when you start by focusing on God’s greatness instead of your problems!