We have so much to praise God for, and there’s great power in giving honor to Him. Yet, the reality is, the daily struggles or constant life demands can too often crowd out our praise to God. We might check the worship box at church and somehow think we’re good for the week. Or sometimes, it really does feel like an effort to offer praise, especially when life is hard. We may find ourselves facing huge battles. We’re struggling, weary, or maybe even feel like God’s let us down. 

…sometimes, it really does feel like an effort to offer praise, especially when life is hard.

Here’s what can make a lasting difference. When we make the decision to fix our eyes on God and daily give Him praise, no matter what’s staring us straight in the face, we suddenly realize that He’s already begun to release the grip those struggles have over us. There’s power in our acknowledgement that the Lord is worthy, above all else, of our worship and praise. And He continually draws us to press in close to Him.

5 Things the Power of Praise Can Do

1. Praise gets our focus off ourselves and back on God.  In our all-too-often self-focused world, we need this constant reminder – life is not all about us. We may know that in our heads, but our hearts may feel differently. He desires our eyes be set firmly on Him, because that’s where our true hope is found. We remember our dependency on God, as we acknowledge our need for Him. When we choose to praise Him as Lord and King, we admit and recognize that we’re not in control, but He is. 

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”  (Psalm 95:2-3, ESV)

 2. Praise makes the enemy flee.  It pushes back the darkness the surrounds, and blocks the attacks and enemy’s lies over us.  Evil will not stick around if we’re praising our God who fights our battles for us. In the story of Jehoshaphat, we see God miraculously defeat the enemy, because of the people’s obedience to praise Him. And He still works powerfully on our behalf today.

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” (2 Chronicles 20:22, NIV)

 3. Praise leaves no room for complaining and negativity.  Sometimes even within our prayers, we can tend to complain about our problems. God knows our hearts and cares about all that concerns us. But through praise, we’re focused on Him, no longer allowing all our attention to be centered around the struggles. We’re reminded of what He has already done in our lives, and that He alone is fully able to take care of what burdens us.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” (Psalm 103:2-4, NIV)

4. Praise invites His powerful presence.  God dwells close to us when we praise Him; our spirits are refreshed and renewed in His presence. We’re strengthened by His peace and refueled by His joy.  Through a heart of praise, we realize that God doesn’t just change our situations and work through our problems – He changes our hearts. 

“In His presence, there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

“He inhabits the praises of His people.” Psalm 22:3 (NIV)

Through a heart of praise, we realize that God doesn’t just change our situations and work through our problems – He changes our hearts.

5. Praise paves the way for God’s power to be displayed and for miracles to happen.  People’s lives are affected and changed when God shakes things up through praise. As Paul and Silas sat in prison, shackled, and chained, the Bible says they kept right on praising God. And God sent an earthquake that literally shook the cells and broke the chains. The story goes on to share how the jailer and all his family came to know Christ that very night. Physical chains and spiritual chains were broken. Even today, our God is Healer and Rescuer. He responds to the praise and prayers of His people and promises to work on our behalf, even in the most difficult situations.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” (Acts 16:25-26, NIV)

We have a choice every day – to live life absorbed in worry and stress, focused only on our problems; or to ask God for help in taking our eyes off our circumstances, and looking up, to the One who holds all things together, and cares for us far more than we could ever imagine.

He is worthy of our praise!

Dear God,

We praise you today with our hearts and songs, we praise you for your faithfulness, for your great power and love. We confess our need for you and thank you for your presence and your constant care over us. We ask for your spirit to fill us, to draw us close to yourself, and to work your purposes through us, as we set our eyes on you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.