THE POWER OF PRAISE

INTRODUCTION

One of the most powerful yet often overlooked spiritual weapons available to believers is praise.

Many Christians understand prayer.
Many understand faith.
Many understand fasting.

But few understand the power of praise.

Praise is more than singing songs.

Praise is:

  • an act of faith
  • an expression of trust
  • a declaration of God's greatness
  • a weapon against discouragement and fear

Throughout Scripture, we repeatedly see God responding when His people praise Him.

This raises an important question:

Can praise help bring answers to prayer?

The answer is yes, not because praise manipulates God, but because praise positions us correctly before Him and demonstrates faith in His ability to act.

WHAT IS PRAISE?

Praise is expressing honor, gratitude, admiration, and worship to God for who He is and what He has done.

Praise is not dependent on circumstances; anyone can praise God after the breakthrough but faith praises God before the breakthrough.

Praise Is a Declaration of Faith

When we praise God in difficult situations, we are saying:

  • God is still good.
  • God is still faithful.
  • God is still in control.
  • God is still able.

Praise becomes faith speaking before the miracle appears.

PRAISE CHANGES YOUR FOCUS

One of the greatest battles believers face is the battle of focus.

The enemy wants us focused on:

  • the problem
  • the delay
  • the disappointment
  • the obstacle

But praise shifts our attention from the problem to God.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." — Philippians 4:6

Notice that thanksgiving accompanies prayer. Why? Because thanksgiving reminds us of God's faithfulness.

PRAISE INVITES THE PRESENCE OF GOD

"But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel." — Psalm 22:3

God is everywhere, but His manifested presence often appears where sincere praise is offered.

Throughout Scripture, praise creates an atmosphere where God's power is revealed.

Where God's presence is manifested:

  • chains break
  • fear disappears
  • faith rises
  • miracles happen

PRAISE AS A WEAPON OF WARFARE

Many believers fight spiritual battles with fear, but God has given us spiritual weapons. Praise is one of them.

Praise confuses the enemy because it demonstrates trust in God despite adverse circumstances.

The enemy expects:

  • complaining
  • fear
  • discouragement

Instead, praise declares: "My God is greater than what I am facing."

JEHOSHAPHAT: THE BATTLE THAT PRAISE WON

The Crisis

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a terrifying situation.

Three powerful armies gathered against Judah.

Humanly speaking, defeat seemed certain.

Jehoshaphat did what every believer should do.

He prayed.

He sought God.

God's Response

God declared:

"The battle is not yours, but God's." — 2 Chronicles 20:15

But then something unusual happened.

Jehoshaphat appointed singers and worshippers to go before the army.

Imagine that, not soldiers, not archers, not warriors but singers.

The Miracle

"And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir." — 2 Chronicles 20:22

Notice carefully, the miracle began when the praise began and God moved while they were praising.

PAUL AND SILAS: PRAISING IN THE PRISON

The Situation

In Acts 16:

  • They were falsely accused.
  • They were beaten.
  • They were imprisoned.
  • They were chained.

Most people would complain, most people would question God but Paul and Silas did something different.

The Response

"At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God." — Acts 16:25

Notice the order: They prayed, then they praised.

The Breakthrough

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake..." — Acts 16:26

The prison doors opened, chains fell off and lives were changed. The jailer and his household were saved.

Praise turned a prison into a place of deliverance.

WHY PRAISE OFTEN PRECEDES BREAKTHROUGH

Because praise demonstrates faith.

Anyone can thank God after the answer comes.

Faith thanks God before it arrives.

Praise says:

  • "I trust You."
  • "I believe You."
  • "I know You are working."
  • "I know You are faithful."

WHAT PRAISE DOES IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

1. Praise Strengthens Faith

The more you praise God, the more you remember His faithfulness.

2. Praise Defeats Discouragement

It becomes difficult to remain discouraged while magnifying God.

3. Praise Creates Spiritual Strength

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." — Nehemiah 8:10

4. Praise Produces Peace

When praise replaces anxiety, peace begins to reign.

5. Praise Opens the Heart to God's Presence

Praise creates an atmosphere where God's voice can be heard more clearly.

IMPORTANT BALANCE

Praise is not a formula.

  • We do not praise merely to get things from God.
  • We praise because God is worthy.
  • We praise because He is God.
  • We praise because He has been faithful.

Yet Scripture clearly shows that God often responds powerfully when His people praise Him in faith.

X. APPLICATION

Are you waiting for:

  • an answer to prayer?
  • a breakthrough?
  • a change in circumstances?
  • direction from God?

Then continue to pray, but don't stop there, begin to praise.

Praise Him:

  • before the answer
  • before the breakthrough
  • before the door opens

Because praise is faith declaring that God is already at work.

CONCLUSION

Prayer asks.

  • Faith believes.
  • But praise celebrates God's victory before it becomes visible.
  • The greatest praises in Scripture were not offered after the battle.
  • They were offered in the middle of the battle.

When prayer has been made and faith has been released, let praise arise.

For throughout Scripture, God repeatedly showed that when His people praised Him in faith, He moved in power.