FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

Singing enhances praise— There is no better way to heighten your praise than expressing it through singing. Adoration through song in prayer creates a pleasant aroma that floats through the portals of heaven into the nostrils of God, bringing Him great joy. As the Psalmist writes, “Come before him with joyful singing” (Psalm 100:2). It may seem awkward at first, yet singing clearly invigorates prayer. It certainly works for me, as I make a joyful noise through simple praise songs or the choruses of my favorite hymns. Satan hates praise— Just like singing ambushed the enemy in the days of King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20), you can keep Satan from infiltrating your prayers through the weapon of song. To him, our praises are worse than that screeching sound that comes when someone drags their fingernails down a chalk board. Why? Because as you will recall, Lucifer once served as praise leader of heaven before his pride and rebellion prompted God to remove him from that privileged position. “Satan is allergic to praise. So where there is massive triumphant praise, Satan is paralyzed, bound, and banished.” 4 So heed the charge of Martin Luther by singing a Psalm to chase the devil away. As the Spirit leads, make the transition in your praying to gratitude and thanksgiving . This differs from praise in that we are expressing appreciation to God for what He has done rather than adoring Him for who He is. The Bible contains numerous references to thanksgiving and gratitude. After the ark was brought to Jerusalem and subsequent offerings made, David said, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples” (1 Chronicles 16:8). The Gospels provide ample evidence that Jesus modeled a life of thankfulness. Before feeding the four thousand with a few loaves of bread and small fish, He gave thanks to the Father (Mark 8:6,7). Jesus said after a time of teaching, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25, KJV).

52