October 1, 2003

The Power of Praise

Rose lived in our neighborhood, and we were good friends. Often I talked to her about the goodness of God, but our conversations got bogged down in reasoning. The more I prayed, asking God to save her, the more arguments she used to prove she didn’t need salvation. After all, she believed in God, was baptized as an infant, and attended church every Easter and Christmas Eve. I sought the Lord for His direction, and began joyfully praising Him for her salvation. I will never forget the day I recognized a difference in her. She looked joyful! When I asked her why she was so elated, her reply was that after her children left for school she read the little booklet that I had given her months before (I didn’t know that she still had it), and prayed the sinner’s prayer. The Holy Spirit knew how to convict and convince her of sin, righteousness and judgment. Rose was born again!

Rose was not won by discussion. Prayer effectively prepared the way of salvation. Prayer, faith, hope, love, praise, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit—are powerful and effective weapons. These weapons can break down the proud human arguments against God. Strongholds are mindsets usually controlled by pride that keeps people from a relationship with Christ. They will not be won by psychological methods or trickery; nothing can break down these barriers like God’s weapons. One of the most powerful weapons or spiritual tools is praise.

What is praise? Praise eulogizes God, conveying the idea of boastful singing or speaking about His glorious virtues and honor. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Speak well of our Father, tell of His goodness, adore Him and give Him an audible celebration. Praise is sometimes quiet and contemplative. Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble (Psalm 8:2 Msg).

Quiet or boisterous praise will still and silence the enemy. God inhabits the praises of His people.

It takes determination to praise the Lord. Offer thanksgiving in celebration of God, who He is and what He does. You are ushered into God’s presence on the wings of praise. Sincere and honest praise releases God’s sovereignty and power into human circumstances.

Praise will overthrow satanic captivity! Joyful praise opens prison doors preparing the way of salvation (Acts 16:25, 26). Praise repels and replaces the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). Praise releases power and the anointing that destroys yokes and moves burdens (Matt. 21:16). Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who blesses us with all spiritual blessings!

Joyful praise releases blessings and satisfaction. His unfailing love is better than life itself; praise Him! Honor Him, lift up your hands to Him in prayer. He will satisfy you more than the richest of foods. Praise Him with songs of joy. (Read Psalm 63:3-5) Praise will release rivers of living water washing away anxiety, fear and depression.

According to Numbers 21 Israel gathered together and began to sing to the well: “spring up, o well, all of you sing to it.” When you sing songs of thanksgiving for past blessings and a song of faith in God’s promises for the present you will receive life and not death. Praise will birth victory in the face of warfare. The Levites confronted their enemies with “loud and high voices of praise” and obtained victory (II Chronicles 20:15-22). Praise stops the advancement of wickedness and drives out the temptations to sin (Ps. 7:14-17).

Praise is for all seasons. Don’t wait until all your circumstances are favorable. Bless the Lord at all times; let His praises be continual in your mouth! And when you find yourself in seasons of trials or temptation, praise Him!

We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. [4] We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. [5] With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT).

Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2003


Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.

Continue to pray the Prayers of Commitment from Germaine’s Prayers That Avail Much Commemorative Edition and ask to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.