Spiritual Warfare: The Power of Praise

I think we so often underestimate the true power of praise! We have access to it every day, yet we so often neglect to use it.

My youngest son and I have been reading a book by Derek Prince called Rules of Engagement: Preparing for Your Role in the Spiritual Battle, and the other day, the chapter was “Victory in Praise.” He made some great points and I had never thought through praise and thanksgiving in this way before!

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4–5

Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18

Prince makes the point that these two verses define the gate into God’s presence as “praise.” If we want to come into God’s presence, we have to praise him!

Another point that hit me was how praise often prepares the way for supernatural miracles. When we praise God, He often moves on our behalf in ways far above what we could imagine!

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

Prince offers two biblical examples of praise preceding a miracle. First, when the Israelites went out against their enemies, who greatly outnumbered them, and put their singers and worshipers on the front line!

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying, “Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 20:21

We read the miraculous result in verse 22:

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.

And second, when Paul and Silas were jailed:

“In the New Testament we read about Paul and Silas in jail. It is midnight. They have been beaten, their backs covered with blood. They are in the inner prison in maximum security with their hands and feet in stocks. And what do they do next? They start to pray and to praise God.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them [the Greek says, “the prisoners listened attentively”]. And suddenly there was a great earthquake. Acts 16:25–26, KJV

All the doors were opened, and everybody’s bands were loosed. Praise provoked the earthquake; God intervened supernaturally. This is a consistent principle of Scripture. If you want the supernatural intervention of God on your behalf in a difficult or impossible situation, the key that will release it is your praise. And usually it is at a time when you would feel least like praising God in the natural.”

Wow! How often we forget that we serve this same God today! Praise truly is a powerful weapon and gives God the glory He deserves.

After reading the chapter, I couldn’t help but turn on some praise music as I did my morning clean-up and organizing, and the power of praise really set such a positive tone and helped me get so much done!

One of my spiritual gifts is discerning of spirits, and I just felt such a positive spiritual atmosphere in our home after hours of praise music. Do you use the power of praise and do this in your home? I’d love to hear some of your favorite songs or sources for music in the comments below!

I’ve recently been listening to some Christian folk music play lists on YouTube. This morning, it’s been this Psalms Therapy play list that I’ve been enjoying.

I’m convicted that I often don’t fight my battles in the right way. I forget the spiritual aspect, and I think so many negative moods and complaining attitudes (both in myself and those around me) would shift if I would simply turn on praise music and start praising God out loud!

Power of Praise: Tips

Here are a few more tips on the power of praise and bringing an atmosphere of praise and worship into your home:

Start the day with worship music (as I’ve mentioned). I just discovered a really nice playlist on YouTube for indie Chrisitan folk music, which I’ve come to realize I really love!
Ask God to give you a “theme song” for each day. My husband’s aunt just shared a really cool app with me called Sing, that you can find on The Worship Iniative. I’ve been listening every morning this week and find it so encouraging!
Read a Psalm each morning – This is especially important if you struggle with depression. The Bible says in Isaiah 61:3 that we can exchange a “spirit of heaviness” for a “garment of praise.” (I know other factors can be involved, so please don’t hear what I’m not saying. We are complex beings made of body, soul, and spirit, but God still gives help through His Word!)

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Danielle Papageorgiou is married to Jon and together they have two homeschool graduates and a 13-year-old. She has been homeschooling, or “Lifeschooling,” for 23 years and has a passion for helping other moms learn how to homeschool in a way that enhances rather than competes with family life. Through her Lifeschooling book, blog, resources, and community, she helps you see the educational value in everyday life and focus on developing your child’s God-given gifts, so you can raise a world-changer. You can find her book, Lifeschooling: Learning to Think Outside the Curriculum Box, at www.LifeschoolingBook.com.