As a boy in grade school, it disturbed me when I heard classmates change the words of this hymn and use the melody for silly, disgusting songs. It seemed irreverent and disrespectful to the glory of God. There are numerous other hymns such as “Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty” that wondrously urge us to give God glory and praise.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to close our prayer with praise to God. The majority of translations include this phrase, “For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13).

Giving glory and praise to God is a key to intimacy and delight in prayer. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in the Triumphal Entry, people cut palm branches and spread them along with their garments in the path of Jesus. They praised God and shouted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” Even children praised Him. Some of the religious leaders told Jesus to forbid them. Jesus replied that if they kept quiet, the very stones would shout His praises. (Luke 19:28-40). There is inherent in the very person and character of God such splendor, glory, greatness, justice, love and generosity, that it demands out deepest adoration and gratitude.

Why do so few people feel moved to give the Lord Almighty the glory, honor and praise due His name? Perhaps they have never had a vision of God’s glory, grace and greatness. (See Psalm 8,9,18,19). Anyone who has truly seen God’s glory cannot help but praise Him. Isaiah saw the lord sitting on His throne. His train filled the temple. An angelic chorus sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with His glory.” (Isaiah 8:1-8). The glory of God changed and commissioned the prophet.

There are times when my grandchildren come softly and sincerely and climb on my lap and say, “PawPaw, I love you.” When they express gratitude and appreciation for who I am, or for what I have done, it unlocks my heart in a wonderful way. Parents’ hearts are stirred and melted by a child’s expression of love, gratitude, and appreciation. They want to do anything they can to bless their child. This relationship becomes a two-way communication of blessings and benefits.

This is the kind of relationship our heavenly Father longs to have with us. It moved God to give His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins. He allowed Jesus to endure suffering so we could be reconciled through His blood, and enjoy an intimate relationship and fellowship with Him forever. He looked on the travail of His soul and was satisfied because He has brought many sons and daughters to glory. (See Isaiah 53:10-12; Revelation 5:9-12). As we behold HIS glory in wonder, worship and the Word of God, we are changed from glory to glory to be like Him. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18).

The Lord Jesus had all of this in mind when he taught us to pray, “For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13). His Kingdom is over all and shall never end. (Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:15-19). His power is unsurpassed, and is available to us, and works within his children. “Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).

A key to intimate and joyful relationship with our heavenly Father is giving Him the praise, honor and glory due His holy name.

He invites you into that delightful fellowship. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and sup with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20). Give Him glory!