Prayer Week 15: Pray to Song

Singing worship is powerful. It engages our hearts and minds, along with our bodies, in praising God, making our praises part of ourselves. Somehow song makes praise more meaningful and heartfelt than just saying them out loud. It can lift our spirits when we are down, or encourage others to join in joyful praise.

 

Psalm 13:6 New American Standard Bible 1995

I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 96:1-2 New American Standard Bible 1995

Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

1 Chronicles 16:23-25 New American Standard Bible 1995

Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods.

 

Singing pray may be a new concept, but that is basically what worship is, prayer put to song. Prayer and song are good and powerful in themselves, but put together that is magnified. It enlivens our minds, uplifts our hearts and sends the enemy fleeing. It was during song that Paul and Silas were miraculously freed from prison, multiple times. It can literally break down prison walls, in our hearts and around our bodies.

 

This week when you come to pray, sing to God. You can use hymnals or song books. You can sing scripture to your own tune or just make up a song as you go. You can sing aloud or inwardly. However, you choose to do it, fill your prayer time with song to our Lord.

 Prayer points taken from Praying Through Adversity by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

Prayer Week 11: The Power of the Voice

The words we say make an impact, not only on those around us, but to ourselves as well. Saying something aloud to someone is more powerful than writing it in a letter, text or email, and saying it to them in person can be more powerful than on the phone. The spoken word reverberates through the physical and spiritual world, as well our minds and souls.

 

Psalm 35:28 New American Standard Bible 1995

And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness
And Your praise all day long.

Psalm 71:15 New American Standard Bible 1995

My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your salvation all day long;
For I do not know the sum of them.

1 Chronicles 16:8-10 New American Standard Bible 1995

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad

Psalm 145:21 New American Standard Bible 1995

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

 

While the words we say aloud have a greater impact, the prayers and praise we say aloud are even more powerful. The enemy cannot stay around the praise of God. It sends him running. Speaking prayers aloud gives them greater impact in our hearts and against the spiritual forces of darkness. The enemy cannot hear our thoughts, so if we are to battle against him, it must be out loud. Prayer is a weapon, but it has greater force spoken aloud.

 

Praying aloud is a greater encouragement to our hearts, giving more solidity to them. It is also a witness to those around us of what we believe and what God is doing. They are more powerful than just spoken words. Praise also is more powerful spoken aloud because it helps to solidify a love for God in our hearts. It also helps to lift our hearts when we are down. Finally, praying aloud when we are alone helps keep us on track. It helps us to focus on what we are saying and not be distracted by other thoughts.

 

This week when you pray; first focus on praise. Remind yourself of what God has done and vocalize your thankfulness to Him, but also do it aloud. Use your voice as the tool and weapon God has made it to be. Let all around you, flesh and spirit, be impacted by your prayers. Let your heart be encouraged by it, and let it be a shield and sword against the enemy. Let it cement your prayers in your heart and mind.

 Prayer points taken from Praying Through Adversity by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

An Offering of Thanksgiving

Giving thanks is possibly more common this time of year, with the holiday of Thanksgiving putting it on our minds. We are (hopefully) more conscious of our gifts and blessings, and more expressive to those to whom we are grateful. Unfortunately, we don’t always think to thank the One who has given us everything. We are thankful for what we have, but do we take time to thank the One who gave it to us? What could we possibly offer to the One who possesses everything?

 

True Virtue: Worship

When many hear the word worship, they think of a band at the front of a church singing songs. That is definitely part of worship, but there is much more to it. Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines worship as: homage [deference/submission and respect] rendered to God which it is sinful (idolatry) to render to any created being. Jesus says that we must worship in spirit and in truth, if our lives do not line up with that our worship is false.