How to Praise God: The Secret of the Saints
One thing that stands out when reading Sacred Scripture is how often the saints praised God.
St. Paul praised God while imprisoned.
King David praised God through the Psalms.
The Apostles praised God after being persecuted.
Silas and St. Paul sang hymns while chained in prison.
The Blessed Virgin Mary proclaimed, "My soul magnifies the Lord."
Their circumstances were not always easy—but their hearts were always turned toward God.
Why?
Because they understood a powerful truth:
Praise changes us.
What Is Praise?
Praise is simply telling God who He is.
It is thanking Him—not only for what He has done—but because He is good, holy, loving, merciful, and worthy of all honor.
Praise shifts our attention away from ourselves and back to God.
Why Is Praise So Powerful?
Throughout Scripture, praise always seems to accompany God's mighty works.
When St. Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns to God.
Then something extraordinary happened.
"Suddenly there was a great earthquake... all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened." (Acts 16:25–26)
Their praise did not ignore their suffering—it proclaimed that God was greater than it.
Likewise, throughout the lives of the saints, praise strengthened them to persevere through persecution, illness, hardship, and countless trials.
Praise does not magically remove every difficulty, but it opens our hearts to God's grace, fills us with hope, and reminds us that He is always faithful.
Praise Changes Our Hearts
When we spend our day complaining, worrying, or focusing only on problems, our hearts become discouraged.
But when we praise God, our perspective changes.
Praise:
Brings peace during anxiety.
Strengthens us during trials.
Fills our hearts with gratitude.
Helps us trust God's providence.
Draws us closer to Him.
The more we praise God, the more we begin to recognize His blessings all around us.
How Can We Praise God?
You don't need beautiful words.
Simply begin speaking to Him.
Say things like:
"Lord, I praise You for Your goodness."
"Thank You for giving me another day."
"You are holy."
"You are faithful."
"You are merciful."
"I trust in You."
You can also praise Him by praying the Psalms, singing hymns, attending Holy Mass, or simply sitting before the Blessed Sacrament with a grateful heart.
Praise Throughout the Day
Praise doesn't have to be reserved for Sunday Mass.
Make it part of your daily life.
Praise God:
When you wake up.
Before meals.
While driving.
During your work.
During your Rosary.
Before going to sleep.
Even during difficult moments, whisper:
"Blessed be God."
The Saints Lived Lives of Praise
St. Paul wrote:
"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances." (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
St. Francis of Assisi praised God for the beauty of creation.
St. Thérèse praised Him in hidden sacrifices.
St. Padre Pio praised Him while enduring great suffering.
Their secret was not that life was easy—it was that God was always worthy of praise.
Begin Every Morning with Praise
Before your feet touch the floor each morning, offer your day to God.
You might pray:
"Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the gift of this new day. I praise You for Your goodness, Your mercy, and Your unfailing love. Help me to glorify You in my thoughts, words, and actions today. Whatever joys or crosses this day brings, I place them into Your hands. May everything I do give You glory. Amen."
Starting the day with praise changes the way we live the rest of the day.
A Prayer of Praise
Heavenly Father,
I praise You because You are holy, loving, faithful, and good. Thank You for the gift of life, for Your countless blessings, and for Your never-ending mercy.
Teach me to praise You not only when life is easy, but also in times of suffering and uncertainty. Fill my heart with gratitude, strengthen my faith, and help me trust that You are always working for my good.
May my life become a hymn of praise that brings glory to Your holy name.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
An Invitation
The saints were not extraordinary because they had easy lives.
They were extraordinary because they learned to praise God in every season.
This week, try beginning and ending each day with praise. Throughout the day, simply say:
"Praise be to God."
You may be surprised how this simple habit fills your heart with peace and strengthens your faith.
As St. Paul reminds us:
"Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
May our lives become a continual song of praise to the God who loves us beyond measure.
