An unbeatable combination
What God hath joined together let not man put asunder
Faith and patience are power twins.
Hope and Love are married.
Goodness and mercy cannot be separated
But in this message I want to talk to you about the dynamic duo of Prayer and Praise.
(a) 1Thes. 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing, in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(b) Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Keep Your Hands Up.
(a) (Heb 12:12) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
This may add some meaning to that scripture
(b) Exe. 17:11-13 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Moses told Joshua to choose out some men
Real prayer and real praise, is real work for real men,. I.e. it is not for the faint hearted.
Joshua fought the battle on a natural plain, but the victory was won on higher Ground
Praise. Prayer. Praise
Mt. 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Prayer focuses on the problem, by it’s very nature prayer is recognizing a need.
Praise focuses on the power of God to meet that need.
When Jehosaphat was confronted by an innumerable host
He did 2 things specifically: They prayed and then they praised.
(2 Chr 20:4) And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
(2 Chr 20:21) And when he 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.
2Chr 20:22-23 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.
23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mo
unt Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
From a damp dark prison cell with backs beaten and bleeding, Paul and Silas turned their pain into praise (At midnight They Prayed, and sang Praises unto God. And the prisoners heard them)
Praise doesn’t have to be pretty to be powerful
Praise is more than a thankful Heart, or an attitude of thankfulness, or a song about Gods goodness.
There are 8 hebrew words the bible uses to describe praise, or different elements, and facets to praise.
1.Halal= To be boastful, excited, to enjoy.
2.yadah= A public expression, to worship with hands extended.
3.Barak= To kneel to bless
4.Zamar= Making music in praise to God.
5.Shabach= To speak well of in a high and a befitting way,(to shout ).
6.Towdah= To thank God for things that haven’t happened yet.(as when Israel shouted while the walls were standing)
7.Tehilla= Singing our halals, It speaks of singing under the inspiration of the spirit=new songs.
8. Ruah= To shout in joy.
For Paul and silas prayer and praise destroyed the foundation of their confinement, and destroyed the yokes that bound them, and loose all of the other prisoners around them.
For jehosaphat prayer and praise confused the enemy, and they killed each other.
For Joshua the amalakite enemies were greatly discomfited, as prayer and praises flowed through Moses, Aron, and Hur,
When David Played his praises demon spirits were driven away from saul.
Ps 149:5-8 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
No wonder David ends the book of Psalms with this command
(Psa 150:6 ) Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Put this dynamic duo to work in your life and release the power of God against the forces of darkness.
They are an unbeatable combination.
