As we approach November, we have a holiday which reminds us especially as Christians to give thanks to God for His many blessings. In this article by Wendy Speake, the author addresses the sacrifice of praise spoken of in Hebrews 13:15. This emphasis of giving to God the sacrifice of praise is reflected in our worship services especially in our General Thanksgiving prayer in Morning Prayer. – Pastor Benner (full article on BibleGateway)
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Have you ever noticed that praising God comes naturally when life is going well?
It’s easy to thank Him when prayers are answered, relationships are flourishing, or unexpected blessings arrive. But what about the days when life feels heavy? When grief lingers, prayers seem unanswered, or you’re simply exhausted?
The Bible speaks directly into those moments. Hebrews 13:15 invites us:
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” (NIV)
Notice the word sacrifice. Sometimes praise costs us something. Sometimes thanksgiving is less about how we feel and more about where we choose to place our focus.
The beautiful truth is that biblical praise isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s choosing to remember who God is, even when life doesn’t yet look the way we hoped.
What Does the Bible Mean by a ‘Sacrifice of Praise’?
Throughout Scripture, sacrifices represented something valuable willingly offered to God. In the Old Testament, God’s people brought offerings from their flocks and harvests. Today, Christ has fulfilled the sacrificial system, but believers are still invited to bring offerings — our worship, obedience, gratitude, and praise.
Hebrews doesn’t tell us to offer praise only when it’s effortless. It tells us to offer praise continually.
That’s worship rooted in faith.
Praise Is About Who God Is — Not Just What He Does
One of the easiest traps to fall into is making praise dependent on outcomes.
- We thank God when He answers the prayer.
- We celebrate when the diagnosis improves.
- We rejoice when relationships heal.
Those are wonderful reasons to praise Him. But Scripture repeatedly shifts our attention from God’s gifts to God’s character.
Psalm 100 doesn’t begin with a list of blessings. It begins with an invitation: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4, NIV).
Why?
Because “the Lord is good and his love endures forever” (Psalm 100:5).
His goodness isn’t determined by our circumstances. His faithfulness doesn’t fluctuate with our emotions. He remains worthy because He is holy, loving, faithful, merciful, and sovereign. That foundation gives us something steady to stand on even when everything else feels uncertain.
Praise Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Your Pain
Sometimes Christians worry that choosing praise means pretending everything is okay.
The Bible never asks us to do that. The Psalms are filled with honest prayers:
- “How long, Lord?” (Psalm 13:1)
- “Why have You hidden Your face?” (Psalm 88:14)
- “Where are You?” (Psalm 42:9–10)
Jesus Himself wept at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35), even though He knew resurrection was moments away.
Biblical faith leaves room for lament.
We can bring our questions, grief, disappointment, and tears into God’s presence because He already knows them. Honest lament and genuine praise are not opposites — they often belong together.
Speake, Wendy. “What Is a Sacrifice of Praise? How Thanksgiving Can Deepen Your Faith in Every Season.” Bible Gateway News & Knowledge, 1 September 2026, www.biblegateway.com/learn/biblical-living/discipleship/sacrifice-of-praise-thanksgiving/?utm_source=bg&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsandknowledge_20260901&utm_term=bible_gateway_newshat Is a Sacrifice of Praise? Finding Joy Through Thanksgiving | Bible Gateway News & Knowledge.
