Power in Praise

You might have heard the phrase Power in Praise, but have you ever seen it manifested in your life? Too many Christians walk around powerless, under their circumstances instead of triumphing over them, when praising God can give them victory and power.

Take Praise Out of the Sanctuary

It’s about time for Believers to take praise with them when they leave church. It’s also about time for us to realize that praise is not just some nice, sweet expression of thanksgiving to God, but it is a powerful tool to overcoming sickness, depression, fear, and a multitude of challenges.

Put On the Garment of Praise

Isa 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness… (KJV)

"Heaviness" also means weakness, dark, feeble, dim, frail, to despond or despair

Now, if you’ve ever dealt with depression, not just a temporary being in the dumps, but chronic depression that darkens every area of your life, makes you too weak to fight and have you despairing of ever seeing the light of day, then you’ve encountered a spirit of heaviness or a spirit of despair.

But in Isaiah we see that a “garment of praise” replaces that despair and heaviness.

Psa 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

“Yeah, but I just don’t feel like praising the Lord!”

Well, get out of your feelings and immerse yourself in the power in praise!

A garment is a covering. So if you cover…surround…yourself with praise then that heaviness has to go. So forget your feelings. You may not feel like praising, but turn on whatever device you use for music, and fill the house with the sounds of praise.

Make it loud! Drown out that woe-is-me heaviness and begin to focus on God.

Before long you will realize that you feel different, that heaviness has begun to dissipate. Continue to praise Him, worship Him, and lift His Name up.

Power in Praise to Drive Out Fear

When it comes to fear, the praise drives away the fear and helps you to recognize that as long as you are trusting in Him you have nothing to fear.

Psa 56:4 In God I will praise His Word; in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do to me.

We live in a fearful world. Things are happening every day that threaten our security and safety, but despite that we cannot allow fear to take hold. When you recognize that you are beginning to be a bit afraid, worried, anxious, or otherwise fearful, begin to praise the Lord.

For one thing, God has NOT given us fear. Fear is NOT from God: 2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (MKJV)

So begin to praise God, surround yourself with the sounds of praise, and drive out that suffocating fear that would steal your power, deprive you of the ability to love and destroy your mind. The opposite of fear is FAITH.

Other Ways to See Power in Praise

The Power in Praise to Protect

Psalm 8:2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Notice what this verse says “through the praise…you have established…”

As we praise God, He then establishes a stronghold or barrier against His, and our, enemies. In other words, the power of praise here, is that it causes God to act on our behalf.

Power in Praise to Delay His Wrath

Isaiah 48:9 For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.

Because of praise, God says that He will hold back His wrath or delay His wrath. In fact, we need to be aware that praise can protect us as He promises to “hold it back from you” because of praise.

Power in Praise Brings Healing

Isaiah 57:19 creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”

As we praise the Lord, He says He will heal. So if you need healing, begin to praise the Lord for your healing.

Power in Praise Brings Deliverance

Acts 16:25-26 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Paul and Silas were in jail and in chains, yet they were praying and singing hymns. However, it wasn’t just hymns they were singing, they were singing hymns of praise!

Act 16:25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. (God's Word Translation)

They were praising God in the midst of their trouble. Not because they expected anything, but because He is worthy of praise. So they were praising God, and suddenly everything began to shake, rattle and roll, and in moments the prison doors had opened and their chains fell off!

Now that is deliverance!

In the middle of your problems, whatever they are, praise God. If you want to see your circumstances change, then you need to praise God.

The power in praise is not that it changes us, but that our circumstances change as God begins to move on our behalf.

Merlin Carothers, the author of “Prison to Praise” shared:

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all that happens to us is working for us our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans.”

…try to accept with your understanding that God does love you and has allowed those circumstances because he knows they are good for you. Praise Him for what He has brought into your life; do it deliberately and with your understanding.

You can go on thinking that the situation is controlled by the devil- and by your lack of faith in God’s supreme power make it difficult for Him to work out His perfect plan, or you can believe that God is at work, thanking Him for everything and thereby release His power to work in (your) life.