One Thing You Can Do To Help Any Situation (Besides Pray)

It can feel awkward, strange and powerless. On the contrary, my dear, it is dynamic, authoritative and effective. What am I referring to? Praise.

Praise: To extend or raise your hands in thanksgiving for something you haven’t yet received; to sing unrehearsed, unplanned praises; to shout loudly

Praise quiets the lies and exalts the powerful, almighty God.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
Psalm 100:1-2 NIV

There is a man named Paul who wrote most of the New Testament. He and his friend, Silas, were thrown in jail.  How did they respond?  Instead of complaining, they began “praying singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” (Acts 16:25-26)

WOAH!

This reminds me we always have a choice in how we react to a situation. When life is hard, I’ve learned I can either freak-out, or I can choose to praise and pray. It may not be the normal response, but it’s an effective one.

[Praise] may not be a normal response, but it’s an effective one.

Even if we instinctively react, remember, we can step back and change how we’re speaking. We can say, “God, I see this situation, but I know you’re greater!”

Paul and Silas likely didn’t feel like singing and praying, but they did.  Praise is powerful, even in our darkest time. It gives God room to on our behalf.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name…” 1 Chronicles 16:8a

Do you remember the story of Jericho?  “…The army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.”  God told Joshua He would give them the city and part of His instructions were to shout and praise.

“…When the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.” Joshua 6:20

I encourage you to activate the power in using your voice. Is it awkward? Sure, it can be at first! Is it worth doing anyway? Yes. Even if you don’t “feel” goosebumps or it doesn’t look like our situation has changed, you can be assured God is working in you and around you!

-Annie Dixon