PRAISE!

Tuesday, March 31, 2020
 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (Philippians 4:4).

Put yourself in Paul’s shoes. Undeniably, he was a stalwart storm warrior. One of his most inspiring examples comes when, finding himself in prison he tells Silas, in chains beside him, “Let’s sing!” It moved heaven and earth, literally. Their chains fell off and their jailer and his family became believers. “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 chains were loosed” (Acts 16:26). The delivering power of God came in on their praise, opening every door in the prison and setting not only Paul and Silas, but every other prisoner, free.

One of the greatest weapons in our arsenal is praise. A heart full of praise wielded in our lives personally, in our homes, in our families, in our churches and in our nations, is a life line at all times. Consider David in the Psalms of praises sung to God as the nation of Israel ascended the hill of the Lord. The ascent begins at a low point in Psalm 120 with the distress of a man who finds himself dwelling in the midst of treachery and violence with no means of escape. In fifteen steps, like the rungs of a ladder, he sings his way out of the pit. Ascending higher and higher, at last he stands, anointed with priestly oil, before the double doors that are the gates of the sanctuary where the manifest Presence of God rested. Those doors open for him of their own accord, and he will enter with thanksgiving and praise to commune with God all night in worship.

We were so inspired today to hear stories of persons in the news telling their harrowing journey of contracting coronavirus, entering hospitalization, and eventually coming to recovery. What so impressed us was their saying that at their lowest point, with all strength gone, they were still worshipping the Lord and trusting in Him. A heart that praises the Lord will not be overcome. Our praise affects more than just our personal circumstances. Just as it loosed the chains of all those who were captive with Paul and Silas, praise still has power to free us.

Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised (Psalm 113:1-3).

King of Glory, as we approach the season of Passover, and look forward to the resurrection celebration of Easter, we rejoice in You! Lamb of God, You are high above all nations and high above every power. At Your name, every knee will bow and every tongue confess, “Jesus is Lord.” Your Name is higher, stronger, all our hope is in You. We lift up Your name over our nation, over every family, and declare Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed. Let Your glory be seen among the nations. Deliver us as we celebrate ancient Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Lift up Your right hand and set the nations free from this demonic stronghold of death and disease. Do Your mighty work and set peoples and nations free from every oppression and false ideology.

We pray again for our leaders, President Trump, Vice President Pence, and their team of advisors. Lord, lead them with Your wisdom and truth. We pray for breakthroughs and Your supernatural grace to be at the head of this battle. We pray for researchers, doctors, nurses, our military, and the many first responders helping to treat the sick. We pray for Your mercy and love to touch the nations with a fresh visitation of Your Spirit with power for healing and salvation. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Let Your joy give us strength.
 

We are confident and covering you and yours. Send your prayer requests to us at hotline@chavdaministries.org. Join us online for the Watch of the Lord, and see you ONLINE this Sunday at 10 a.m.