Power of praise – Part 2
Prophet Sunday O. Nwabeke
Praise leaves no room for complaining and negativity. Sometimes, even within our prayers, we tend to complain about our problems.
God knows our hearts. And He cares about all that concerns us. But through praise, we’re focused on Him, no longer allowing too much attention to be centered around the struggles.
We’re reminded of what He has already done in our lives. We’re reminded that He knows what concerns us, and is capable of taking care of all that burdens us.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” Psa. 103:2-4
“By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Heb.13: 15.
5. Praise makes room for God’s blessings over our lives. He will not hold back His goodness; praise opens the gateway of blessing, as we come into the Presence of our King.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Psa.100: 4.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Eph. 1:3.
6. Praise invites His presence. God dwells close to us when we praise Him. He lives there. He looks for it. He inhabits the praises of His people.” Psa. 22:3
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,” 1 Pet. 2:9
7. Our spirits are refreshed and renewed in His presence. We’re strengthened by His peace and refueled by His joy. Through a heart of praise, we realise that God doesn’t just change our situations and work through our problems, He also changes our hearts.
“In His presence, there is fullness of joy.” Psa. 16:11
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psa. 63:3-4.
8. It paves the way for God’s power to be displayed, miracles happen. People’s lives are affected and changed. God shakes things up through praise.
As Paul and Silas sat in prison, shackled, and chained, they kept right on praising God. And God sent an earthquake that shook the cells and broke the chains. The jailer and all his family came to know Christ that very night.
We have a choice every day in this life. To live absorbed in worry and streass, on the fast track of busy, focused only on what surrounds us, tuned into the roar of the world.
Or, we can ask God to help us take our eyes off all that may be swirling around, our problems and mess, or the voices of others. And we can look up…to Him, the One who holds it all together, and who holds us in his Hands.
God desires our whole heart. He waits for us to return. He longs for us to know the power of His presence over our lives. He desires to bless us more than we could imagine. His Spirit urges us onward, calling us closer.
May He help us to look up … open our mouths…and sing.
Dear God,
We praise you today with our hearts and songs. We praise you for your faithfulness. We praise you for your great power and love. We confess our need for you; our lives don’t go so well, when we just spin around on our own. We struggle and worry, get weary and worn.
Yet you never leave us. Thank you for your presence. Thank you for your care over us, thank you that you breathe renewal right into our souls.
We ask for your spirit to fill us, to draw us close to yourself, and to work your purposes through us, as we set our eyes on you.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
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