Everything on earth and in heaven, whether visible or invisible, be they thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities or powers, all things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him – Colossians 1:16
We could move mountains and shake things when we pray. But when we praise we move God himself to act, the results are definitely different.
Paul and Silas prayed, but when they began to sing praises the impossible happened. Acts 16:25
We were created for His glory. In psalm 50:23 the bible said; whoever offers praise glorifies God.
That means when we praise, we are fulfilling our first purpose on earth, which is glorify God. Isaiah 43:21
When to praise God
Praising God is not optional, and it is definitely not seasonal. You don’t only praise God when things are good, but also when things are not going the way wanted or planned.
When the whole world seems to be against you.
When things are really bad and you don’t know what to do, when you’re out of ideas or prayer points, Just Praise.
The Psalmist said in Psalm 34:1 (NLT)
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
At all times means every time. In the good times and bad times. Because whether things are good or bad God is still God.
Your situation per time does not change Him. He is never changing, ever faithful, and always the same. Therefore, His praise is constant. His praise is not triggered by events.
Because those bad times are also to shape and mold us, and to bring us to the perfect and expected end for us. Jeremiah 29:11. That’s why we can boldly say that all things are working out for our good, Romans 8:28
What happens when we praise God in difficult times
How to praise God in difficult times
While it is very easy to praise God when things are going well, it is very difficult to praise God in difficult times.
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Praising God in difficult times is a deliberate act that is triggered by a total trust in God. It comes from a heart that understands the Sovereignty of God.
There are several benefits of praise and Thanksgiving during tough times.
What happens when we praise God in difficult times is that, we move God Himself hastily to come down and intervene on our behalf a lot faster than He should ordinarily.
Why? because you are telling Him that, it doesn’t matter what you are going through, He is still God, and that indeed sacrificial. God takes great pleasure in selfless sacrifices.
That is an act of radical faith. Radical faith provokes radical blessings. A good example is Job.
He lost everything he had in one day. To the extent that, his wife told him to curse God and die. But hear what he said in Job 13:15 –
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
We all know the rest of the story. He was blessed beyond what he had earlier, so that his later end was greater than his begging.
What praise can do
Praise can do the impossible.
If prayer can move mountains, Praise can uproot the mountains. Praise can do what will take prayer a longer time to do without delays.
There are some challenges that needs only praise to do the job.
Biblical examples of what praise can do
Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25)
While Paul and Silas were going for prayers, they met a certain slave girl who was possessed with the spirit of divination with which she made a lot of money for her masters.
And she cried after them saying; these men are servants of the most High, that came to show us the way of salvation.
She continued this for many days, And Paul being grieved casted out the demon from her.
Now when her masters saw that they could no longer make money with her, they got angry and accused them of causing trouble in the city before the magistrates.
As a result, they were beaten and arrested. Here’s the interesting part:
At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, nothing happened. But as they began to sing praises in the midst of their trouble the miraculous happened:
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. Acts 16:26
You can read up the whole story in Acts 16:16-40.
Jehoshaphat, King of Judah (2 Chronicles 20:1-24)
King Jehoshaphat was faced with a serious challenge. The children Moab and Ammon had come up against Judah to battle with a very great multitude that was humanly impossible to defeat.
Jehoshaphat was very scared and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah in order to seek the face of God.
And when they had done that, they rose up early in the morning and went to the battle field. When they had consulted with the people, he appointed singers that should sing unto the Lord.
As they began to sing, impossibility became a possibility.
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. 2 Chronicles 20:22
Ammon and Moab teamed up and destroyed Mount Seir. When they were done, they destroyed themselves, all by themselves. And when Judah got there, they were all dead bodies, none escape. 2 Chronicles 20:1-24
Some important Facts About praise
Praise is Obligatory
Praise is not optional, Praise is a command. It is an obligation to all Angels and heavenly hosts, and are all commanded to praise the Lord (Psalm 89:5; Psalm 103:20; Psalm 148:2) and all inhabitants of the earth are also instructed to praise the Lord (Psalm 117:1; Psalm 138:4; Matthew 21:16; Psalm 148:1-14).
It is a spiritual weapon
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Praise is a very potent and powerful force. Sometimes, words may actually fail you to pray – switch to praise, it works like magic. You wouldn’t even know when you’ll be energized to pray, Strength will come.
We saw earlier how praise was used as a spiritual weapon. Through praise, the kingdoms that came up against Judah were destroyed. 2 Chronicles 20:22
Through praise, we invoke God’s hands to fight mightily on our behalf. Praise is a weapon of deliverance.
Praise Is Where God Dwells:
Praise is where God Dwells. If you want to experience the mighty hand of God in your life, live a life of praise and worship.
But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered].Psalms 22:3
David was a man of praise. As busy as he was, a great king over the nation of Israel. Yet he made out time to praise God seven times daily – Psalm 119:164, and prayed three times daily – Psalm 55:17.
No wonder God called him a man after His heart. He never lost any single battle throughout his life time.
Praise – The Way Into The Presence Of God
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalms 100:4
The easiest way to get God’s attention is through praise and worship.
When you forget your troubles and challenges to praise God, you live him with no option than to act on your behalf and in your favor.
Because by doing that you are simply telling Him that you don’t care about your challenges, but He is still God. You trust Him.
That is faith, and you can’t receive anything from Him without faith. Praise itself is an act of faith, because you can’t possibly praise Him if you don’t believe in Him.
God Is Worthy Of Our Praise
God is more than worthy of our praises. You are in no way doing God any favor by praising Him. Rather we are blessed for praising. It is just a privilege that you can praise.
He created us for His glory and pleasure. If you don’t praise him, He will raise stones to do what you should have done. Luke 19:20
But he said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise." Luke 19:40
You should praise God more often, you will be amazed how your life will turn out. Make it a habit to praise God daily. He will answer before you call.
