November 12, 2015
The Power of Praise
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts; whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him (Psalm 68:4).
Friend to Friend
I love the story of the woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today. She did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." She did and she had a great day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "Yes!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Now that’s what I call having a good attitude.
Attitude can transform anything and everything – thoughts, habits, and perspectives. We can literally change our lives by changing the way we think. In Isaiah 26:3 we find the promise, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You.” A mind filled with thoughts fixed on God will produce a heart filled with praise – and praise is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal.
Praise brings healing to our spirit. When we honestly express our trust in God and then choose to give thanks, healing begins. Praise provides a highway upon which the Father conveys deliverance and blessing. Praise invites God to take up residence in the midst of our messy lives and becomes a free-flowing conduit of God’s very presence and power at work in us. God funnels infinite blessings into a life that praises Him. Stress and anxiety fade as peace floods the heart that is filled with praise.
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Cast up a highway for Him who rides through the deserts. (Psalm 68:4, ICB)
But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3, NKJV)
Don’t miss the life changing truth that we can enthrone God in every situation of our lives by praising Him. Praise converts our everyday surroundings into His dwelling place. It is from that throne of praise that God dispenses victory. Praise tunes us into His sovereignty and allows us to experience the reality and power of His presence.
Praise strengthens our prayer life. Prayer is not only a remarkable privilege that we often fail to recognize or understand, it is also part of our worship to God. There is the asking side of prayer when we seek forgiveness, lay needs before God, and intercede on behalf of others. Then there is the appreciating side of prayer when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He has done. Our relationship with God is strengthened through prayer and praise.
Now here is my favorite truth about praise. Are you ready? Praise devastates Satan and his forces. Yes! I love it! In fact, Psalm 20:5 promises, “We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.” Satan is well aware of just how powerful praise is, and I suspect he absolutely hates it … and that absolutely delights me! I can almost sense his fury when I choose to praise God instead of questioning Him. Satan hates it when I walk by faith, setting aside feelings and emotions while focusing on God’s Word and His faithfulness in my life.
Through continual prayer, through the power of God’s Word, and through faithful praise, we declare our trust in God to deliver us. Praise lifts up the shield of faith in spiritual warfare. Praise makes a frontal attack on doubt and fear. Even in the midst of Satan’s best efforts, we can find victory when we praise God.
Let’s Pray
When you can’t seem to find the right words to pray – go to the Word of God and pray Scripture. Join me in a prayer of praise found in Psalm 150.
Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Now It’s Your Turn
- Are you known as a woman who praises God?
- As you begin each day, take time to position your mind and heart for praise.
- Look for opportunities during the day to praise God – then voice that praise aloud.
- Begin keeping a praise journal in which you write your praises to God.
More from the Girlfriends
Nowhere in God’s Word will you find the directive to praise God when you feel like it. I know. I have looked. Praise that is based on emotions is a shallow excuse for the praise that flows from a desperate heart. Don’t wait until you understand it all to praise God. Simply give Him praise, knowing that He inhabits the praises of His children.
Need help? Praise is one of the most powerful ways to manage stress. Mary’s book, Escaping the Stress Trap, is based on Psalm 23 and offers a step-by-step plan for stress management.
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
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