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  “L a u s D e o!”
Laus Deo, two seemingly insignificant words in Latin composed of just four syllables and
only seven letters. Yet their
meaning when said in sincerity can change hearts, alter world events and bless
nations. The most significant place you can find these words is atop the
Washington Monumentin our Nations Capital of Washington DC. What have these two little words have to do with learning how to pray you
ask? I’m glad you asked! I know everyone knows or has heard the
stories surrounding King David.
I'm sure you've heard about how David while he was a young boy, through faith, faced and slew the
giant Goliath who stood over 9 foot tall. God anointed David king of Israel.
The stories of David go on an on but the Bible calls him a man after God’s own heart. I have
found that by reading the many stories about King David there are several things
that always come to the forefront.  First he had an unwavering faith in God, there was no doubt in his heart
that God existed, that God loved him and wanted only what was best for his life.
It didn’t matter what circumstance he was facing he knew God was with him. Second He gave his heart and life to God; he accepted whatever God wanted
for him knowing God was faithful. I believe there is a great lesson to learn from this:
God had been at work in David’s life from his early youth just as He is in ours if we will open our eyes
and minds to see and understand. God saved David from a bear and a lion
while just a lad watching his father’s sheep. When I think back on my own life, I
remember the time I was eleven years old and tried to swim a canal in Miami Florida. When I woke up in
the hospital the doctors said I must be the luckiest boy ever born because I had been
underwater for over thirty minutes before they found me. The ambulance driver
said I was dead when they brought me to the hospital. You see I have come to
realize that as a Christian I was chosen by God before the formation of the
world. Why you ask? Because God, who lives in all time, knew my heart and knew I
would choose Him and come to love Him.  Psalm 139:16 NIV your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained
for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Third, David was a man who knew how to pray. If you read the book of
Psalms you will see many or should I say most of the Psalms are dedicated to
praising God. He understood the greatness of God. Unlike a lot of Christians
today who have put God in a box, there is absolutely nothing impossible for God.
He did speak the heavens and earth into being; He did make us from the dust of
the earth. It is His hand today that keeps the earth on its perfect axis so we
have oxygen to breath and we don’t go flying off into space from lack of
gravity. We have forgotten how to humble ourselves and praise the living God of
creation.  David knew how great God was and he knew from the very bottom of his soul how to
reach the heart of God. Psalm 138:1-2 KJV I will praise thee with my whole heart: before
the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple,
and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast
magnified thy word above all thy name.  Oh Yes, the two Latin words atop the Washington Monument “LAUS DEO” in
case you haven’t guessed – Praise be to God. There is a whole story that goes along with these words being placed atop
the monument. A history lesson from the fathers of our Country. Click on the link below to read the story.
posted. I pray these devotions on prayer have helped you in your walk by faith. I
will try and sum up the nine devotions into one short devotion to bring
everything together although we are far from learning the will of God concerning
how we are to pray. The word of God is inexhaustible in its truth and teaching;
He only waits for you to come to Him to open your mind to His word. |
