THE POWER OF PRAISE By Major. Frank Materu
Introduction:
Praise and thanksgiving are powerful spiritual tools that we often overlook.
In the scriptures, we are shown that praise is not just a spiritual act, but a means of gaining victory in our lives.
By thanking God and praising Him for everything, we draw strength to overcome challenges and break free from the chains of adversity.
In this article, we will explore the meaning of praise and thanksgiving, their significance in daily life, and how they can bring blessings and great change to our situations.
1. Praise as a Powerful Weapon:
In Psalms 29:1-2, the Bible says, "Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness."
This scripture shows us how praise and worship honor and exalt God.
Praise is a mighty weapon against evil, for it enables us to overcome the forces of darkness that seek to oppress us.
Praise is more than just words.
It is an action of gratitude that involves honoring God, appreciating every grace and mercy He extends to us.
When we praise, we are empowered to overcome and turn negative situations into positive ones.
2. Thanksgiving as a Foundation of Hope:
Thanksgiving is the foundation of faith.
As seen in Psalm 100:1-2, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing."
Thanksgiving enables us to have hope, even in difficult times.
In moments of defeat, thanksgiving can make us see a way out of our troubles.
Every time we praise and thank God, His mercies abound towards us.
We can also see in Jeremiah 8:22, where God says, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?"
When we sincerely thank and praise God, even in the worst of circumstances, He acts to change our situation.
3. The Power of Thanksgiving: Results of Praising God:
The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-26 teaches us how praise can change the course of imprisonment and suffering.
While in prison, Paul and Silas sang hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God, and "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.
Immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were unfastened."
This is a clear indication that praise opens doors of blessings,making us free and leading us to victory.
Thanksgiving is a unique weapon that draws God’s power to work on our behalf.
Even in dark and difficult times, when we praise and thank Him, we experience great transformation.
God handles every situation in a miraculous way, removing every chain that binds us.
4. Thanksgiving: The Key to Blessings and Success in Life
As seen in Colossians 2:16-17,"Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."
Whatever we do, in word or deed, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.
Thanksgiving makes us live lives that honor God and focus on living effectively in this world.
Every step we take in gratitude allows us to receive blessings from Him.
5. Conclusion: Use the Weapon of Praise and Thanksgiving.
In conclusion, it is important to recognize that thanksgiving is a powerful weapon that opens doors to blessings and success.
When we genuinely praise God, we gain the strength to break through every obstacle surrounding us.
Just like with Paul and Silas, thanksgiving frees us and brings us to victory that we could not have achieved on our own.
Praise and thanksgiving are not only spiritual acts but are integral parts of our everyday lives.
Learn to use this weapon, and you will witness great changes in your life.
God expects us to be people of gratitude and praise, and by doing so, we will walk in His blessings and victory.
Give God all the praise and thanks with your whole heart, and you will see His power at work in your life.
