Classic Christian Writings
Prayer and praise must never be separated. Prayer and praise are the two wings by which our souls mount into the heavenlies. If either one is neglected, we fail to mount up with wings as eagles (Isa. 40:31).
Prayer and praise are the two steps by which the army of the Lord marches forward. As surely as soldiers march always “left, right, left, right” so we must keep our praising as up-to-date as our praying if we would advance for God.
We are all in danger of neglecting prayer, and we are perhaps all in even greater danger of neglecting praise. Many a prayer meeting would come to new life and power if men began to praise the Lord. If there is anything that is a better gauge of the spiritual life than the prayer life, it is the praise life. Satan fears prayer. If there is anything which Satan fears more than prayer, it is praise.
God waits to hear the voices of His children. It is the sweetest of music to His ear. If there is anything He delights to hear more than the voice of prayer and petition, it is the voice of praise and adoration. Prayer adds its sweet perfume to the Christian’s life. If there is anything which makes the Christian’s life even more fragrant, it is praise. It is not a question of prayer OR praise; we must keep the two together. We are to pray without ceasing, and much time also should be given to praise (Luke 21:36; 1 Thess. 5:17; Heb. 13:15).
Praise makes the soul beautiful. It is perhaps the most heavenly activity in which the soul can engage. A life filled with praise becomes almost angelic. Praise, thanksgiving, love, adoration – these make the life radiant.
The Holy Spirit shines through the Christian’s life that is saturated with praise. The Shekinah glory of God marks the life that rejoices evermore, in everything gives thanks, and radiates pure love for God and others (1 Thess. 5:16-18; Rom. 5:5).
Praise adds sweetness to the voice; praise adds loveliness to the soul. Praise fills the life with song, the heart with joy and adds a graciousness to all of life. Praise clothes with heaven’s beauty.
Praise Open The Gates To Blessing
Praise needs to be put literally first in prayer. It is significant that in the future prophesied glory, when our walls are “Salvation,” our gates will be “Praise” (Isa. 60:18). “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise” (Psa. 100:4).
There is no more worthy entrance into the presence of God than the entrance of praise. Praise opens the gates to blessing. Praise opens the way to answered prayer. Praise opens the way to the very heart of God.
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing” (Psalms 107:21-22).
Praise multiplies the presence and power of the Lord. It is a secret of the blessed life – that praise not merely adds blessing, it multiplies every blessing of God. Praise fills the life with the atmosphere of heaven.
There are times when it is not easy to praise, but “By Him … let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15). When you begin to praise, the disquiet of your heart, the restlessness and fear of soul begins to disappear like fog before sunshine.
When you begin to praise, peace is blessedly multiplied within your soul. When you begin to praise, sorrow is turned to joy. When you begin to praise, grumbling and criticism is withered to the roots, the breath of heaven blows the clouds away, and you feel so clean and new again. When you begin to praise, Satan turns in terror and soon flees away.
Praising God opens your heart to God, and to all His sweet heavenly influences. Praising God gives the Holy Spirit welcome and right of way in your life. Praising God lifts you above the trivial accusations of Satan. Praising God reduces your problem mountains into hills of blessing!
Praising God gives you the eagle’s vision, and by the eye of faith you see the victory ahead! Praising God multiplies your faith and fills you with joy and peace in believing (Rom. 15:13). Praising God seems to fill you with the very faith of God and to strengthen you with the power of the Holy Ghost. Praising God changes you and changes the situation before you. Praising God opens the way to miracles.
Praise Turns The Battle
Praising God makes you triumphant in the battle. Praising God brings to your aid all the resources of heaven. The angels of God recognize the sound of praise and rush to your side to win the victory for God. Praising God brings the shout of victory in the midst of the battle. Praising God turns the battle into a rout of the enemy.
In the battle in the time of Jehoshaphat when the king and people humbled themselves and sought God’s face, He put His Spirit on an unknown Levite and gave them a message of hope. They believed the promise of God and marched into battle with singers praising God in front of the battle troops. “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments” (2 Chron. 20:22).
Praise sets an ambush for the devil. No wonder he flees at the sound of praise! When Israel praised God, the walls of Jericho fell down. When Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, the Lord shook open the doors of the jail of Philippi (Acts 16:23-24). When YOU begin to praise the Lord, new victories will dawn for YOU!
This was the secret which David learned, and we all need to learn it over and over. Hear David testify, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psa. 34:1). “My tongue shall speak of … Thy praise all the day” (Psa. 35:28). “Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise … all the day” (Psa. 71:8).
“Who can shew forth all His praise?” (Psa. 106:2). “I will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more … I will go in the strength of the Lord” (Psa. 71:14,16). Can you not see why David was a man after God’s own heart? (Acts 13:22).
Let us make this year a year of praise. Begin by making this day a day of praise. Begin by filling your heart with God’s praises wherever you go. Begin by praising the Lord the first thing each morning. Begin by praising God every time you feel tempted to doubt, to fear, to worry, to criticize, to yield to any kind of temptation. Praise fills you with faith and power.
Praise clothes you with heaven’s beauty. Praise opens the gates to blessing. Praise wins the battle for God. “Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God” (Psa. 146:1-2).
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