Too often prayer's are a laundry list of wants and needs. About 2,500 years ago a man named Ezra recorded the following in the first book of Chronicles re: prayer that was spoken by King David. A prayer of praise to God which is something we often forget in our self-centered lives. Thinking about each word, the order they were state and the context (David's final public announement after 40+ years of being Israel's king is remarkable.) My New Year's resolution is to read and meditate on the Word not rush through it "buffet-style".
I Chronicles 29:10-19 (NIV) - below are the first four (4) verses.
..."Praise be to you, O Lord,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory
and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in
heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord is the kingdom;
you are exalted as hea over all.
12. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler
of all things. In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13. Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your
glorious name."
