Thoughts for Life: #98 The Dynamic of Praise

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: 4. Praise invokes God's presence, God's power, and God's forces. God manifests His presence in the midst of His praise. God is enthroned among His praising creatures.

God's praise seems in a special way to call Him to be active among His people, calling forth the manifestation and use of His almighty power. (Worship God, Google image)

Nothing unites us more with the angels of God than joining in praise of God, and perhaps our worshiping and militant praise unites them in our endeavor and in the answering of our prayer.

The angels ceaselessly minister to us (Heb. 1:14), but surely never more than when we prevail in prayer, even as they ministered to Jesus in Gethsemane.

Huegel tells of a pastor who longed for new awakening in his church. He convened a week's meetings of nothing but praise. At first the people did not understand and kept asking and begging God for things.

But the pastor kept explaining that he wanted nothing but praise. By Wednesday the service began to change. Thursday saw much praise, and even more was evident on Friday.

By Sunday "a new day had dawned. Sunday was a day such as the church had never seen. It was genuine revival. God's glory filled the temple. Believers returned to their first love. Hearts were melted.... It was wonderful. Praise had done it." (Huegel, Successful Praying, 49-50).

5. Praise confounds, terrifies, restrains, and thwarts Satan. Praise beats back the powers of darkness, scatters the demon opponents, and frustrates Satan's strategies.

Praise takes the initiative out of Satan's hands. It is a tremendous means of resisting Satan and causing him to flee. A Spirit-filled, anointed, and empowered believer can assault the strongholds of Satan by praise.

Hezekiah, Isaiah, and the Israel of their day are not the only ones who have routed the enemy by praise.

During my missionary days in India, students and staff of the girls' Bible school of another society were praying and fasting for a demon-possessed student to be delivered.

I was called to help but felt so helpless. As I prayed, I was impressed to go to the struggling, semiconscious girl being held down by several adults as they tried to control her thrashing and jerking.

I called into her ear, "jai Masih Ki" (victory to Christ), the idiomatic way to say "Praise the Lord" in her language. As I called his sentence into her ear, she began to respond, as if she could hear what I was saying.

Then she struggled to control her locked mouth, and when she finally forced it open, called out after me, "Jai Masih Ki." Instantly she was delivered. Prayer and fasting probably helped prepare the way, but praise was the Spirit's weapon to set her free.

Huegel, an experienced missionary to Mexico, has said that often when prayer does not bring the answer, adding praise will lead to victory. He states,

"There is power in praise which prayer does not have. Of
course, the distinction between the two is artificial....
The highest expression of faith is not prayer in its
ordinary sense of petition, but prayer in its sublimest
expression of praise." (Huegel, Successful Praying, 45 - 48).

Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana (With Jean's impressions added)

Mighty Prevailing Prayer
#98 The Dynamic of Praise- Part 2
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 169 -170) Zondervan

Let's pray-

Couple praying together

Father, may we remember that our praise beats back the powers of darkness, scatters the demon opponents, and frustrates Satan's strategies!
As the pastor in the above message relates, we need to join with the heavenly angels, and give our Lord God praise in our praying, and obtain the power provided by it.
Help us as we spend time with You, to sense Your Presence with us to enable us to be effective intercessors. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

(Ps. 62:5-8 KJV) My soul, l wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. (6) He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. (7) In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

(Ps. 34:1-3 NIV)"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. (v. 2) My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. (v. 3) Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together."

Today's quotes-

~ Open the eyes of R heart so we can know you more fully + completely, not just from a distance.

Neil Vermillion

~ We are God’s trophy + prize. Remember this when experiencing difficulty, because God’s polishing you, his cherished prize.

Neil Vermillion

~Thomas A Kempis- THE IMITATION OF CHRIST (compiled and edited by James N. Watkins, p. 246) "There is nothing to compare to you in all the wonders of heaven and earth. Your works are excellent, your judgments are true, and by your authority all things are governed. So I give praise and glory to you, O Wisdom of the Father. Let my mouth, soul, and created things praise and bless you together."

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Upcoming posts-

When Should a Preacher Speak?

18th- Saturday's post by James H. Cagle

#99 Levels of Intensity in Prevailing Prayer- Level 1, Asking

21st- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#100 Level 2 of Prevailing Prayer- Seeking

23rd- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Giving God the Time of Day

25th- Saturday's post by Leah Meahl

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