PRAY, BUT PRAISE MORE!

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His faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God's promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God. (Romans 4:20 GNT).

Many years back before I found Christ, a friend persuaded me to accompany him to a party to which he had been invited. He gave me out of the new currency notes he had changed asking me to spray him and his friend with it on the dancing floor. At first I sat back as they started dancing and watched the scenario without much interest, but when the band leader who didn't know me from Adam started singing my praise nonstop, I got up and sprayed not only my friend's money but also mine.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas prayed to God in their agony then began singing His praise. Suddenly God rescued them powerfully from the prison dungeon. God answers prayers but praise moves Him into action.

A strong ally of enemy nations set out to overrun Judah and King Jehoshaphat was sore afraid when he heard of it. (See 2Chr.20:1-23) He prayed fervently to God and God gave him the strategy for victory. He marched his army into battle praising God as they went. God took over the battle, caused the enemy armies to turn against one another and destroy themselves. The strategy for winning came through prayers but victory actually came through praise!  Here are some reasons we ought to praise more than pray:

• Praising God portrays our belief that He answers prayers. (Rom. 4:20)
• Praise gives room for the power of God to be displayed. (2Chr. 20:22)
• Praise projects us into God’s Presence. (Ps.100:4)
• Praise enables us to remove our focus from ourselves and back on God. (Ps. 139:14)
• God sends His angels to bring answers to our prayers, but when we praise with all sincerity God Himself responds. (Judges 7:15,20,21)
• God dwells closer with us when we praise Him habitually. (Ps. 71:14)
• We are engrossed with our problems when praying, but in praise, we’re focused on God. (2Sam.12:19-20; Job 1:20-21)
• Praise leaves no room for unnecessary repetitions in prayer. (Matt. 6 :7-8)
• Evil powers will not hinder our prayer answers from God when we praise. (Ps. 149:6,8)
• There will be no prayers in heaven, only praise. (Is. 35:10).

We come to God not just to bring Him our needs, but because we want to praise Him for all He has done or worship Him for His attributes. Then, He rewards our trust in Him.


©-OOI
Olusegun Ojosipe-Isaac.


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