Intro

This week we continue our series on Why We Pray with a focus on the use of praise in our prayer life.  It is easy to forget that praise isn’t merely an obligatory sacrifice, or a display of good manners. It is not simply an expression of our gratitude, or an acknowledgement of God’s goodness.  In fact, true heartfelt praise is one of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal.

Scripture and Commentary

Psalm 100:1-4

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalm 22:3

3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

The Psalms make it clear that God inhabits our praises, and that we enter into His presence through praise.  James 4:8 tells us that when we draw near to God, He also draws near to us.  This is why I say praise is one of the most powerful weapons we have! Scripture is full of promises and examples of God delivering His people when they draw near to Him in praise.

Psalm 18:3

3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so, shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Psalm 50:23

23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Zephaniah 3:17

23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Acts 16:25-26

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

II Chronicles 20:21-22

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Joshua 6:20

20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.  5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.  Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Satan cannot stand in the presence of genuine praise to God, and Scripture makes it clear that the Lord will deliver all those who praise Him.  Psalm 16 tells us that in the presence of the Lord we have fullness of joy.  So our 3^rd reason for prayer is to engage in praise, and thereby put ourselves in the safety of the presence of God.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, please share.

Be blessed.

K