Pray the Promise, Not the Problem

I read that on a church marquee many years ago. It was like an epiphany for me!

Spending time giving voice to all that is going wrong in our lives leads to self-centeredness and creates a negative attitude in us. Instead, we should focus our attention on our Heavenly Father, praising Him and thanking Him for all He has done for us, and all He has promised us in His Word. Faith will then begin to rise up in us and we will look expectantly to Him to answer our prayers and meet our needs.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb. 13:15).

Praise builds us up spiritually. Praise forces us to get our attention onto God and off our problems. Praise also defeats our enemy, Satan.

And when he (Jehosaphat) had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 2nd Chronicles 20:21-22

Satan hates us to praise God. Even if he cannot get us to worship him, he will do all in his power to keep us from praising God. You see, he knows how powerful our praises are. Do you?

The picture above was taken on our camping trip to Beavers Bend State Park in the fall of '06.