“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Eph.6:18
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire,
and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
The prayer of praise is another kind of prayers. Someone said that praise is
the highest kind of prayer. Prayer can be defined as fellowship with God and
therefore praise is prayer if it is done properly. Many areas in the New
Testament where we are instructed to pray, we find praise or thanksgiving
included with the other kinds of prayer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be
made known to God;” Eph.4:6. Tremendous results follow the prayer of praise
and thanksgiving. “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing
hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a
great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and
immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
“Acts 16:25-26. Among the results of the prayer and thanksgiving of Paul and
Silas was an earthquake, chains were loosed, prison doors were opened and
freedom was. These can represent the removal of limitations, the end of
afflictions, open doors, and breakthroughs. It is important to note that these
miracles did not happen until Paul and Silas praised God. When prayers seem
not to have worked try praise. Another example of the tremendous result of
praise is found in 2 Chronicles 20 when the children of Israel fought against
the Moabites, Ammonites, and Mount Seir. Even though the Children of Israel
were far outnumbered by these nations they fought against them not with
swords and physical weapons but with songs of praise to God. “Now when
they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of
Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were
defeated.” 2Chron.20:22. Note that the Israelites prayed, then a prophecy
came but God did not intervene until they praised God. When they sang
praises, God set an ambush against the enemies. One person said that when
people pray God sends angels like when Daniel prayed or when Peter was
imprisoned and the church prayed but when we praise, God comes down and
intervene as we see here when the Children of Israel praised God.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
What you cry about today, you will shout about tomorrow. Just stay in faith and refused to be
moved from confident trust in God.