Thanksgiving and Praise
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Always Giving Thanks (2637-2638)
Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church because Christ has consecrated all creation to the Father.
Every event and need is an occasion for thanksgiving, "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess 5:18).
Praise of God (2639)
Of all prayer forms, praise recognizes most immediately that God is God and gives him glory simply because he is. By praise, we testify that we are children of God adopted in Christ. Praise embraces other prayer forms and carries them to God.
Praise of Early Church (2640-2641)
The Acts of the Apostles often expresses the people's wonder and awe at Christ's mighty works. The early community was often "praising God" (Acts 2:47).
The earlier believers addressed "one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Eph 5:19). They composed their own hymns glorifying all that God did in Christ. These extended hymns of praise are called doxologies (Eph 1:3-14, Rom 16:25-27, Eph 3:20-21, Jude 24-25).
Heavenly Praise (2642-2643)
The book of Revelation has the songs of the heavenly liturgy and the intercession of the martyrs. The church sings with these saints, giving thanks to the "Father of lights" from whom "every perfect gift" comes (Jas 1:17).