The Power of Praise

Yesterday marked the 50^th day of our Praise Challenge.  So far more than 100 people have taken the challenge on our website and many others are also participating through our brother website “Inspiks” (www.inspiks.com).  Amazing things are happening in the lives of those that are participating in the challenge and we continue to look forward to more breakthroughs, victories and answered prayers.

More and more, it seems that misfortune, death, natural disasters, pain, disgrace and brokenness dominate the News of the day.  Our Nation and the World are in distress, causing many to tout that the last days are upon us.  In most cases we do not have control over the trials that threaten to disrupt our lives, but we do have control over how we respond to them. Praise is a powerful weapon as it elevates us into God’s presence and power and prevents the enemy from establishing strongholds in our lives.

Praise by inspiks.com

The story of Paul and Silas is a testimony to the power of praise. In spite of an unjust arrest that put them in a dark and filthy prison, beaten, bound and chained, they prayed and sang hymns to God while the other prisoners listened to them (Acts 16:23-25). They chose to praise when they had every reason to complain and to be discouraged.  The bible states that “suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose” Acts 16:26.  The chains that bounded the prisoners came loose but more importantly, the chains that bounded their souls were broken and they were saved. Paul and Silas’ attitude of praise and thanksgiving allowed them to effectively minister to the other prisoners including the jailer and in so doing, they brought them to Jesus. God honored Paul and Silas’ righteous attitude in the midst of their trial and the power of their praise and worship not only saved lives but it also freed them!

We don’t know where our trials will lead us or place us but we are called to bloom wherever we are planted.  Praise is a powerful ingredient in living a rich life that bears fruit. It is also a powerful weapon that gives us the victory and the testimony we need to preach the gospel and to help and encourage others. When the going gets tough, let’s get the praises going!