Why Did Jesus Invite Us to “Hallow God’s Name”?

Why should you accept Jesus’ invitation to a lifetime of praise?

Praising God Detoxes Your Brain from Stress. Every scientific study I’ve read confirms that stress is bad for our bodies. When God invited us to praise Him, it wasn’t because He was some sort of insecure being who needed a “that a boy” from time to time. No. He knew that we would become like what we worshipped (Psalm 115:8). In addition, He knew that praise and worship detox our brains from stress. When we choose to shift our focus off of whatever is stressing us out, we are calmed and become a bit more like Jesus. 

Dr. Caroline Leaf has done extensive research on the changes that happen in our brains when we direct them toward the character of God. In her book, Switch On Your Brain, she writes, “Our brains follow our minds” (87). As we choose to take the advice that the Apostle Paul offered us in Philippians 4:6, setting our minds on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things,” we can actually, “bring back the balance between the default mode network (DMN) and the task-positive network (PTN) in our brains” (87). In essence, when you choose to praise God intentionally, there is a chemical reaction in your brain that helps your brain switch on to more positive, action-oriented thought processes. Stress makes your brain foggy, but praising God clears the fog and gives you a sharpened focus and an assured sense of calm. 

Praising God Increases Your Joy and Sense of Connectedness. Praising God releases endorphins in our brains, much like physical exercise does. There is nothing quite like knowing that our Father, God, is delighted with us. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that the Lord takes great delight in us and rejoices over us with singing. What an amazing picture of how deeply we are loved by our Father. Internalizing that love provides a deep-seated sense of connected security. In these uncertain days, feeling secure and connected contributes greatly to our joy levels. The more connected you feel, the more content you’re going to feel.

Praising God May Even Increase Your Longevity. Praising God may actually increase your immune system. In a study done by the University of Miami, Dr. Gail Ironson discovered that “Turning to God rather than rejecting God appears to boost your immune system.” Other studies have shown that those who regularly attend church and engage in corporate worship are less likely to die from a stroke, digestive issues, or circulatory issues. 

Friend, the evidence is overwhelming. Praising God leads to a healthier and happier life. Why not accept Jesus’s invitation? Begin by praising God for His different names. Praise Him that He is the Alpha and Omega, the Bread of life, the Christ, etc. Try praising God for twenty minutes a day for five days and discover for yourself all the benefits. I guarantee it will change your life. 

About the Author

Becky Harling is an author, speaker, mentor, and lover of Jesus Christ. She inspires and gives women the tools to awaken hope so that they become more resilient in the face of life’s hurts, confident in the face of life’s challenges, and joyful in any life circumstance.

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