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Let’s start with praise. What is praise? In general, praise is an expression of respect, gratitude and admiration towards someone or something.
How do we praise God?
When we praise God we remind and honor him for who he is in our lives, expressing gratitude for his goodness and mercy in our everyday struggles. Praise is part of worship. We can offer praise in a form of singing, testifying about God and exalting his name in prayer of thanks giving. “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the wonderful things you have done, I will sing with joy because of you. I will sing praise to you, Almighty God.” (Psalm 9:1 GNB)
What is the significance of praise to God?
First let’s start with human beings. Have you ever noticed how we as humans like to be around people who admire and compliment us? It is because they encourage us to do better. Praise is just as important to God because that’s where he lives. “But you are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3 NKJV). He stays where the praises are offered, Revelations 4:8 tells us that in heaven the angels sing day and night proclaiming his Holiness. As a result, praising God creates an environment that is similar to where he lives, and so we do on earth as it is in heaven. As we praise God, we are creating a comfort zone for him, we are inviting his presence in every area of our lives. The truth is no one wants to be around a person who’s always groaning and mourning about everything all the time. It creates negative energy for the listener too. No matter how happy or discouraged we are, we are always yearning for positive energy either to maintain our happiness or uplift our spirit. If we can’t handle it, why do we expect God to be tolerant towards us?
In acts 16:25-26 (NKJV) “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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”. God is always moved by praise. We don’t only give praise because the mood allows us, but we praise because he lives in such environment. We do on earth as it is in heaven. So irrespective of your situation, praise should always be in your prayer. Philippians 4:6 (AMP) “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything (every circumstance and situation) by prayer and petition WITH THANKSGIVING, continue to make your (specific) request known to God. See, when you replace praise with mourning and groaning you can rest assured that your troubles are far from over.
In Numbers 14:1-24, notice how the children of Israel were delayed to occupy the promise land as a result of their mourning and groaning instead of believing and praising God. In fact, the ones who were complaining eventually died in the wilderness. It was only a few that were grateful about the promise land who actual lived to occupy it.
Now if you want to change your situation. You need to trust God and praise him for what he’s about to do in your life even before it happens. After all, that’s what faith is all about, “Being confident in what we hope for and have assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
What is worship and why do we need to worship God?
Worship is an extreme form of love and adoration for something or someone. The bible says in Genesis 2:4-17 we were created to worship God. Worship activates all the blessings we are looking for. Proverbs 8:17 (NKJV) “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.”
How do we worship God?
When we worship God, we display God’s worth and we put him first above everything else. Have you ever noticed that in most cases a boy child likes to mimic his father in everything he does? He will praise him and act like his father, even when he’s not around. He believes in him so much that what the father say is the only truth. He has extreme love for his father, such that they always want to be around him. That’s the kind of relationship God is looking for from us. To worship him in truth and in spirit.
John 4:23-24 (NKJV) “But the hour is coming , and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
What is to worship God in spirit and in truth?
To worship in spirit is to be led by the Holy Spirit, doing everything out of faith and love for God and without any sense of obligation.
Doing everything because you love God and you are grateful to be sons and daughters to him. To worship in truth is to praise God, declare and preach the word of God, serve God and act according to the word of God. The word of God is the only truth (John 17:17). The misconception is that worship is only offered in a form of singing and praying, when in fact that is just part of it.
Like a son who looks up to his father in everything he does. We can worship God in everything, with our hearts, words and actions. When we love other people, it is part of worship because God is love. Giving offerings to God is part of worship. Being touched by the word of God to help others, is part of worship. That is the purpose we are all called for. So you can rest assured that when you commit yourself to worship God in spirit and in truth, “God will work all things together for the good in your life” Romans 8:28 (AMP). Praise and worship goes hand in hand, because we praise him with our lips (which is still part of worship) and we worship him also with our actions. “Let us, then, always offer praise to God as our sacrifice through Jesus Christ, which is the offering presented by lips that confess him as Lord. Do not forget to do good and help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God” (Hebrews 13:15-16 GNB). As a result, praise and worship carry so much power as it is a form of sacrifice to God.
In conclusion
When we sacrifice for God, we actually have nothing to lose but a lot more to gain, as we make him a priority in our lives. Seek his kingdom first and all these other things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Remember everything you do for God is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Like Paul and Silus, do you have a testimony of the move of God in your life or your loved ones as a result of praise and worship? Please share with us and encourage others who are struggling to connect with God as a result of their circumstances.
