In this article, we dive deep into the beautiful concept of praise. Throughout my Christian journey, praising God has stood out as one of the most powerful forces—bringing joy, peace, hope, breakthroughs, and so much more.
Praise holds a special place in my heart, especially because my name, Luvhani, means praise itself.
Come along as I uncover scriptural insights on how to truly harness the power of praise—and how it can profoundly transform your life and the lives of those around you.
1. Men Were Created to Praise
God created man to praise him. The bible says let everything that has breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).
All humanity has been given the breath of life by God to become living beings that worship and praise Him. Job 33:4 says,
“The Spirit of God has made me; and the breath of the Almighty God gives me life.“
2. All Praises Belong To God
The Bible declares that all praise belongs to God. It’s only natural to wonder—why does He deserve our praise?
Asking this question takes us on a beautiful journey to explore God’s nature and character. When we truly seek Him, we discover endless reasons why He’s worthy of our praise.
God created the heavens and the earth; everything that exists comes from Him. He is full of might, power, love, and so much more. Because of all these amazing attributes, all praises rightfully belong to God.
3. How To Praise God
There are so many beautiful ways to praise God—singing, dancing, lifting our hands to heaven, shouts of Hallelujah and Hosanna, doing good works, and so much more.
Paul encourages us in Ephesians 5:18-19:
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”
Paul illustrates that we should live a life full of ongoing praise to God. It is notable how Paul contrasts praising God with being drunk on wine.
While wine may bring temporary joy, inspire singing and dancing, and create a cheerful atmosphere, these feelings are often fleeting.
True and lasting peace, joy, and gladness come through genuine worship and praise to God.
4. How To Win Life’s Battles With Praise
A significant verse regarding praise is found in Psalm 22:3
“God inhabits the praises of His people.”
When we praise God, He fills us with His presence. Our great God, enthroned in heaven with the earth as His footstool, takes up residence within us as we engage in sincere praise.
This profound truth reveals that what may seem like a simple act—singing or dancing—actually has the power to manifest the fullness of God’s presence.
Now, let’s explore how men and women from the bible used praise to live a life of victory and dominion.
4.1 Leah, The Unloved Woman
Leah sought to gain the affection of her husband, Jacob, by conceiving children, hoping that this would win his love. She bore her first three sons—Reuben, Simeon, and Levi—and each time, she hoped Jacob’s affection would grow (Genesis 29:34).
However, Leah’s pursuit shifted when she gave birth to Judah, declaring in Genesis 29:35, “Now I will praise the LORD!”
Her remark is so profound because, it is through Judah, who was born in praise that the Messiah would come. Though unloved by her husband, her praise during the birth of Judah made her the great grandmother of Jesus.
Leah’s praise earned her enduring favor. The entire lineage of Judah, which signifies praise, indicates that God will always dwell among His people. Her act of praise initiated the lineage of Jesus, culminating with Mary, who also expressed her gratitude in what is known as The Magnificat when she learned she would bear the Son of God (Luke 1:46).
From this story, we can deduce the following:
Confront life’s challenges with praise, and you will gain victory in praise.
Leah’s story, as the unloved wife, is one of praise leading to victory. In Jacob’s final days, he acknowledged Leah by burying her in a permanent resting place alongside his forefathers and their wives who are Abraham and Sarah, as well as Isaac and Rebekah.
4.2 Judah And Israel’s War With Surrounding Nations
The twentieth chapter of 2 Chronicles recounts how the people of Judah faced an imminent attack from the mighty armies of Edom, Moab, and Ammon. This threat caused great fear among God’s people, prompting them to fast, pray, and worship. In response, God assured them of victory.
God instructed the people take their positions, then stand still and watch the LORD’S victory (2 Chronicles 20:17)
On the day of battle, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising Him for His holy splendor (2 Chronicles 20:21).
At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. (2 Chronicles 20:22)
After the destruction of their enemies, the people of Judah gathered spoils for three days and praised God, giving thanks for the victory. They praised Him with musical instruments as they marched triumphantly into the Temple of the Lord. This further underscores the truth that approaching life’s challenges with praise leads to victory.
Dear reader, your battles and challenges are just a moment of praise away from being dismantled. In that moment, God’s presence can fill you so completely that nothing can stand against you. All opposing forces will be brought into confusion and self-destruction.
4.3 Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
Jesus’ battle over our lives followed the same approach. A week before His crucifixion, He triumphantly entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. Large crowds shouted “Hosanna,” an expression of praise meaning “save now” (John 12:13).
Jesus began His battle for our souls with a parade of praise because He understood the power of praise. Christians around the world celebrate this holy day each year as Palm Sunday—a significant milestone in the timeline of our redemption.
Jesus then died a few days after His triumphant entry and rose on the third day. Afterward, He spent about 40 days with His disciples before ascending to heaven.
His ascension was marked by praise and worship, illustrating that victory in the Kingdom of God is assured when we enter the battleground with shouts of praise.
“While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up to heaven. So, they worshiped Him and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they spent all their time in the Temple, praising God” (Luke 24:51-53).
4.4 Jesus’ Loud Cry On The Cross
When Jesus was crucified, his final words on the cross were made with a loud cry as recorded in Mark 15:37. Thereafter, something so significant in the history of humanity happened:
Mark 15:38 NLT
The curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Through Jesus’ loud cry, the curtain of the Temple that covered the presence of God was torn into two, granting us full access into the presence of God.
4.5 The Power Of God Through Praise
In many films and television shows, a common scene unfolds where a school child facing bullying suddenly summons a larger, more imposing friend. Upon the arrival of this friend, the bully’s taunts cease, and they quickly retreat without resistance.
This scenario serves as a vivid analogy for how we confront challenges in life. When we call upon the LORD through praise, His overwhelming presence causes our enemies to falter and flee. This dynamic is clearly demonstrated throughout Scripture, with several powerful examples including:
- The walls of Jericho crumbled with a loud shout of praise, destroying the entire fortified city and everything in it (Joshua 6:20).
- Saul’s fear and depression from a tormenting spirit would leave at the sounds of David’s harp playing songs of praise (1 Samuel 16:29).
5. Final Remarks
There’s a lovely song by Phil Thompson called “My Worship” which captures the nuggets revealed in this article in a beautiful melody. Part of the lyrics include:
And I will not be silent, I will always worship You. As long as I am breathing, I will always worship You.
Dear reader, it doesn’t matter what you are confronted with in life, your breath is your source of victory, praise God and watch His great presence transform your circumstance.
Paul and Silas, in the darkest of night, chain strapped in a prison dungeon began to sing and pray to God (Acts 16:25). And suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! (Acts 16:26).
Moreover, Paul wrote that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual and mighty to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon that is demonstrated by shouts and singing.
Whilst the world advocates that we should exert willpower and might, in the Kingdom of God we gain victory through praise, for the battle is the LORD’s.
While many may shrink away from life’s battles, in the Kingdom of God we boldly enter the fight, confident that victory is already assured.
6. Affirmations
- I praise God with the words of my lips and the breath of my spirit.
- I will never be silent in the midst of adversity for praise is my potent weapon against the enemy.
- My praise is infused with the presence of the Almighty God.
- Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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