We continue our reflection on the prayer of praise. There are a number of examples of people in the Old Testament praising God in the midst of personal, life-threatening difficulties. Read and reflect on Habakkuk 3:17-19. Or the case of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to violate their covenant with God by worshipping a golden statue. They were bound and thrown into a white, hot furnace. Their response was to praise God. "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and your name is praiseworthy and glorious for all ages" (Daniel 3:26).

In the New Testament we have the witness of Paul and Silas. In jail in Philippi for preaching about Jesus, the two men began singing and praising God. An earthquake happened and their chains were broken. Read Acts 16:25-26. If we become a person of praise, what will happen to our relationship with God? The change will not take place on God's part, but ours. Our prayer life will become richer and our focus will be other.