A Matter of Praise

By Glenn A. Hascall

Summary

A Reader's Theater script dealing with the subject of praise, seeking to define it and make its practice more understandable. May find uses in both a praise service or as a special Thanksgiving reading.

Scriptures

Some of the verses used in this script were Phil 4:8, Psalm 103:22, Phil. 4:4, Psalm 40:10, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 57:8, Psalm 103:1-5.

Cast

3 readers

Script

# 1: Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
# 2:  Worthy of Praise?
# 3: What is praise?
# 1: Something you provide to someone whom you believe to have value or worth.
# 2: Offering praise begins with a sense of awe.
# 3: And wonder.
# 1: Praise.
# 2: Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everywhere in his kingdom. As for me--I, too, will praise the LORD.
# 3: Many praise God for His wonderful attributes.
# 1: The qualities that make up His wondrous character.
# 2: Majesty.
# 3: Glory
# 1: Holiness
# 2: More often, God is praised for what He has done.
# 3: The work of creation.
# 1: The work of divine intervention.
# 2: The work of mankind's redemption.
# 1,2,3: Praise
# 2: Praise is expressed first as an inward emotion
# 3: Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!
# 1: Praise is the music of the soul
# 2: That never finds adequate verbal expression.
# 3: But our mouths work hard to express the overwhelming joy we find in praising our Creator.
# 1: I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
# 2: Praising God is something we are comfortable allowing other people to hear us do.
# 3: Praise is found in prayer
# 1: In sacrifice.
# 2: In testimony.
# 1,2,3: And in Song.
# 3: He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded.
# 1: Praise invites others to join in.
# 2: Praise desires clear recognition of the Sustainer of all life.
# 3: Praise is also our highest calling.
# 1: "Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors God. If you keep to His path, He will reveal to you the salvation of God."
# 2: Praise.
# 3: Gratitude.
# 1: Thanksgiving.
# 2: What if we fail to praise?
# 3: We withhold glory that rightfully belongs to God
# 1: We forget His mercies.
# 2: We are ungrateful for His mercies.
# 1: So we DO praise.
# 2: We sow the seed of gratitude.
# 3: We form a habit of praise.
# 1: Wake up, my soul!
# 2: Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
# 3: Praise the LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me.
# 1: He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
# 2: He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies.
# 1,2.3: He fills my life with good things.
# 3: I will praise you among the nations; I will sing joyfully to your name.
# 1: will praise him from the bottom of my heart:
# 2: I will praise you before all the people.
# 3: I will praise you, my God and King,
# 1: I will praise you forever.
# 2: I will praise the LORD as long as I live.
# 3:  I will sing praises to my God even with my dying breath.
# 1: I will praise you, LORD, with songs.
# 2: I will praise the LORD's name for saving me.
# 3: I will praise you with songs of joy.
# 1,2,3: (Look Up) We will praise You.
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Copyright 2003 by Glenn A. Hascall
Should you use this script, would you be so kind as to let us know? Email: glenn.hascall@gmail.com