It's Amazing What Praising Can Do!

I am participating in an Encouragement for Today Blog Hop. Won't you join us?

Is there a day that goes by that we all don't need encouragement? Some days we might need a little, other days we need a lot. But no matter what situation we find ourselves in....it is amazing what praising can do....do you remember that old song? I can only remember parts of it too, but there is truth to the message.

One of my favorite devotional books is Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman. As our family is trying to follow the Lord's leading regarding our church home, today's devotion really spoke to my heart.

Have you ever struggled with God's silence? Do you know what I mean? John 11:41 reminds us that God hears us and we should pray as Jesus did by saying, "Father, I thank you that You have heard me."

Today's devotion goes on to ask, "Where do we ever hear a song of gratitude and thanksgiving for an answer that has not yet been received? Yet in this Scripture passage, there is nothing strange, forced or unreasonable to the Master's sequence of praise before the miracle. Praise is actually the most vital preparation to the working of miracles. "

"Praise changes things. Nothing pleases God more than praise as part of our prayer life, and nothing blesses someone who prays as much as the praise that is offered." The devotion tells about a man that received bad news from home. He explains, "The deep shadows of darkness seemed to cover my soul. I prayed but the darkness remained. I forced myself to endure but the shadows only deepened. Then suddenly one day, as I entered a missionary's home at an inland station, I saw these words on the wall: Try giving thanks. So I did, and in a moment every shadow was gone, never to return. Yes, the psalmist was right: It is good to praise the Lord (Psalm 92:1). Henry W. Frost

If you are still reading this, I hope that this passage encourages your soul today too. It is a great reminder for all of us that it is good the praise the Lord....in the easy and difficult times. I know that God has a place for our family to serve and worship Him and that He knows this heart of mine far better than I know it myself. So today, I will try to praise Him instead of agonizing over it all...and believing Him for the answer and the direction before it is even given. I'll continue to praise Him even out of my brokenness. Mandisa's song speaks volumes to my heart. It says, "When all that I can sing is a broken hallelujah and my only offering is shattered praise. Still, a song of adoration will rise up from these ruins and I will worship You and give you thanks...even when my only praise is a broken hallelujah!" This is an amazing song!



How about you? Is there something that you are struggling with? How can I pray for you today?

Joyfully,
Kristi