Praise of God is essential to our spiritual well-being and development. It can be a private approach to prayer, but there are great advantages in also making it a public one.

Collective Praise

We can, and should frequently, praise God on our own. But collective praise is also very important, when we come together with other like-minded Christians. Then problems can arise which do not occur when we praise God on our own. These are important because the principles we follow in collective praise can either improve and focus it or hinder and make it more difficult for others to join in and keep their minds fixed on God.There are several good points to observe here, bearing both on what we should and should not do.

DO' s

1. When we praise God it is helpful to allow various elements to be present. A praise period can include songs, vocal praise, Bible readings, words received as prophecies or words of knowledge and tongues and interpretations of tongues (1 Cor 14).

2. There is a great advantage in not having a praise leader. The Holy Spirit is always the best praise leader. But it is essential for everyone to remain open to him and only to contribute what he is moving us to contribute. As in our private prayer, the Holy Spirit is our Pray-er. Hence we should be very careful not to move against him.

We might recall that Ephesians 6:18 which tells us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. It can take a lot of courage to leave a meeting open to the Spirit, especially for those with responsiblity for calling it. But the rewards of being led by the Spirit are considerably greater than any human leader can achieve.

We should have a holy fear of making any contribution which does not come directly from the Spirit; and an equally holy fear of not making any contribution which comes directly from the Spirit.

3. Collective praise means everyone praising. All those present should be involved, because non-participants have a restricting influence on the praise. Paul tells us that, when we

come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:26, NIV)

Moreover, others depend on each individual being led by, and responsive to, the Holy Spirit. If this is so, participants will clearly discern the message which God is giving; if this is not observed, the result will be a confusion of words and messages.

In collective praise, we have a great responsibility to one another: our failure to concentrate or be responsive to the Spirit will result in:

(a) our misleading others as to what God is telling them, or

(b) our blocking what God is trying to say.

4. Different physical positions are often regarded as more appropriate for given kinds of prayer (e.g. sitting for meditation). To be on one's feet is usually the most appropriate position for giving God praise. Sitting is often too relaxed. (Physical capabilities and health must always be taken into account, of course).

DON'Ts

1. Do not break silences for the sake of it. They are crucial. You may not be hearing God at that time, but others might. Equally, do not be fearful of breaking a silence if you feel God is so indicating.

2. Intercessions have no place in praise. The purpose of praise is to give glory to God, not to pray for our needs or the needs of others. That can come at the end of a meeting -- when it is clear and evident that the praise period is over.

3. If you can avoid it, don't use phrases like "Can we sing number thirty?" if song sheets are being used. It interrupts the flow of praise and the continuing sense of God's presence. Just start singing it or, at most, say the page or number.

4. Don't start songs you cannot finish.Perhaps no 0ne else can continue it either. That also interrupts the flow.

The foregoing are not rules. They are suggestions which come from years of experience and which will generally be found to enhance a period of praise, and will help to make us more open to what God is saying. Not of least significance, when each participant is of like mind and intention and listening to the Spirit, they will also be an important means of promoting cohesion and a greater sense of fellowship within a group or community.