The Supernatural Empowerment of Praise

 The Supernatural Empowerment of Praise

 Hebrews 13:15-16 

“…Therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

The supernatural power that is released through continuously praising and giving thanks to God is amazing.  The picture here is that of the Old Testament altars of sacrifice.  As the smoke of the burning sacrifices ascended up to God as a sweet aroma – so does our heartfelt praises.  

We are a Kingdom of Priests

The Priesthood of all believers is almost a forgotten truth in many Churches. Peter speaks about the believers as God’s special chosen ones; “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” ( 1 Peter 2:4-5).

The Priests of the Old Testament would offer sacrifices on the bronze altar in the outer court, and offer prayers of intercession and praise at the altar of incense in the Holy place within the Tabernacle. They would emerge afterwards and bless the people. We as New Covenant believers too are called to inherit a blessing, and to be a blessing to others. Verse 16 of our passage mentions the pleasing sacrifices of kindness in blessing others, the results from our own praises and intercessions.  

Offer God the Sacrifices of Praise

I can think of no better way of offering God sacrifices of praise than to use the Scriptures that were recorded in the Psalms to praise Him with. These were originally songs of praise, while in prayer they were used to proclaim God’s greatness. The blessings from above would so flood the heart and mind of those believers of old, that they in turn would themselves become a blessing to others from the abundance received in their own heart.

I can affirm from my own experience the incredible supernatural power that is released through giving thanks and proclaiming God’s praises using His Word.  I would spend time meditating on the prayers and praises recorded in the Scriptures until they would resonate within me. The passages that resonated in my heart are the ones I would use to give thanks and sing praises to God with. I was astounded at the measure of power that came into my prayer life through the practice of Praising God with His Word.

God sits Enthroned on the Praises of His People

Many believers seem to neglect this amazing practice of exalting God in thanksgiving and praise, and therefore miss the life changing power of it, which is the gift of God’s manifest Presence coming upon them. Psalm 22:3 in the original is rendered “You are the Holy One enthroned (sitting) on the praises of Israel.”  The surest way into the manifest Presence of God is through Thanksgiving and Praise.  Psalm 100:4 states this clearly by saying; “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

I encourage you to begin today to make a habit of meditating on those passages that exalt God, and make them your own.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you learn how to use the Word of God to offer your own sacrifices of thanksgiving and praises to proclaim His greatness. Reflect on all God is and all He has done for you, you’ll have no shortage of inspiration to begin praising and thanking Him.

While your mind is focused on God and no longer preoccupied with yourself, God will be releasing immense supernatural power into your life as your thanksgiving and praises ascend to Him as the morning and evening sacrifices. What an awesome weapon you have in your mouth. 

So, lift yourself up and stand before God to thank Him, and Praise Him by proclaiming His greatness. Avail yourself of this joyful privilege of proclaiming God’s praises by using His powerful Spirit inspired Word to enter His Presence.  Let God’s faith rise up within you, Let the joy of the Lord be your strength, experience the blessing of God’s manifest Presence sitting upon your praises, and Be Encouraged! -JSP