"If you only have ten minutes to pray, spend about eight minutes praising God." (Derek Prince).
Because when we praise God's promises, He will come and inhabit our praises. (Psalm 22:3) He essentially "dwells" in the atmosphere of praise and thanks and transports us into the realm of the supernatural and the release of the power of God.
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance" (Psalms 89:15).
Paul and Silas's account in the bible illustrates just what praise can do. After their unjust arrest, the local authorities beat them and threw them into jail. Besides the trauma of the severe beating, they were fastened in stocks and locked up in what would have resembled a dungeon. Yet, despite their pain and the depressing atmosphere they found themselves in, Paul and Silas were heard praying and singing praises to God at midnight!
Suddenly, there was an earthquake that shook the prison! The doors flung open, and amazingly, the chains of Paul, Silas, and every other prisoner were released! (Acts 16:16-40)
Praise is an expression of faith and a declaration of victory! It declares that we believe God is with us and in control of our circumstances' outcomes (Romans 8:28).
Paul and Silas knew this fact and how to lift their hearts and mouths above their troubles and enter into God's presence and power. They chose to praise in the midst of their hardship, providing a channel for God to release His power to operate in their circumstances.
That's because praise is also a weapon of warfare against evil, for when we praise, the bible teaches us that it silences the devil. It repels the presence of evil and opposition by creating an atmosphere filled with sincere praise to God, which is disgusting to the devil and makes him retreat. (Psalm 8:2)
C.S. Lewis wrote that praise is "inner health made audible". It will change us if we allow it to alter relationships, hearts, and mindsets. When we praise, our focus shifts from our problems and presumed impossibilities onto God, who specialises in doing the impossible.
Praise causes us to move from problems to a solution, from pain to promise, and from hurt to hope.
"Until God opens the door, praise him in the hallway."
I encourage you today to reject the worry, lies, stress and cares of the world that can so easily steal your peace and thoughts to praise and give thanks to God.
Make praise part of your lifestyle, as part of your speech, prayer life, and relationship with God. It's not just a church thing but also as we work and travel in the car when faced with and amid hard times. It's when we are at home, in bed, or anywhere; praise brings the refreshing of God's presence and His power and ability to overcome.
"…I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalms 34:1).
Prayer: Lord, please help me to praise you in every circumstance because I know that praising you is what helps me overcome and triumph. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my amazing future. In Jesus name Amen.
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