Recently, a visitor with severe heart problems came to our church prayer room to offer thanks to God.
To outsiders, it didn't make sense. Her family was deeply concerned about the health issues she had - and yet she wanted to praise God.
What triggered her decision was a sermon by our pastor about thankfulness in the midst of trial and turmoil.
It reminds me of the importance of praise and thankfulness to God - no matter what. We are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful in all circumstances.
Our visitor left the prayer room unchanged physically, but I believe she was emotionally helped.
Sometimes, God even brings physical healing and deliverance from evil spirits as we worship him. This is not the reason for praise and thankfulness, but a special blessing of the Lord.
Morris Cerullo, a well-known evangelist, says:
"We enter God’s presence (where there is healing) through worship and praise. Healing can come through worship and praise, even without a healing prayer, because God inhabits the praises of His people. When we praise, He is present to heal."
Terry Law, author of The Power of Praise and Worship, says that in the last decades of the 20th century, he traveled with his worship band all over the world and saw miracles of deliverance and healing as people worshiped God.
Missionary leader Wesley L. Duewel, author of Mighty Prevailing Prayer, tells of a time in India when he was asked to help those who were praying and fasting for the deliverance of a demon-possessed girl who was unconscious but thrashing on the ground.
He felt helpless, but he felt impelled to bend down and speak words of praise to Jesus in her ear. She responded by struggling to repeat the words, forcing them through her locked mouth. As soon as she did, she was delivered.
Again, healing - emotional, physical or spiritual - is not the purpose of praising God. He deserves our praise and worship even in the worst circumstances.
But, scriptural passages and believers' experiences through the ages suggest that, as we praise and worship God, we are changed and occasionally our circumstances change. Our faith grows and God works in us, through us and around us.
Duewel says that praising God:
To outsiders, it didn't make sense. Her family was deeply concerned about the health issues she had - and yet she wanted to praise God.
What triggered her decision was a sermon by our pastor about thankfulness in the midst of trial and turmoil.
It reminds me of the importance of praise and thankfulness to God - no matter what. We are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful in all circumstances.
Our visitor left the prayer room unchanged physically, but I believe she was emotionally helped.
Sometimes, God even brings physical healing and deliverance from evil spirits as we worship him. This is not the reason for praise and thankfulness, but a special blessing of the Lord.
Morris Cerullo, a well-known evangelist, says:
"We enter God’s presence (where there is healing) through worship and praise. Healing can come through worship and praise, even without a healing prayer, because God inhabits the praises of His people. When we praise, He is present to heal."
Terry Law, author of The Power of Praise and Worship, says that in the last decades of the 20th century, he traveled with his worship band all over the world and saw miracles of deliverance and healing as people worshiped God.
Missionary leader Wesley L. Duewel, author of Mighty Prevailing Prayer, tells of a time in India when he was asked to help those who were praying and fasting for the deliverance of a demon-possessed girl who was unconscious but thrashing on the ground.
He felt helpless, but he felt impelled to bend down and speak words of praise to Jesus in her ear. She responded by struggling to repeat the words, forcing them through her locked mouth. As soon as she did, she was delivered.
Again, healing - emotional, physical or spiritual - is not the purpose of praising God. He deserves our praise and worship even in the worst circumstances.
But, scriptural passages and believers' experiences through the ages suggest that, as we praise and worship God, we are changed and occasionally our circumstances change. Our faith grows and God works in us, through us and around us.
Duewel says that praising God:
- Focuses our minds and hearts on God and cleanses us of fears;
- Increases faith;
- Invokes God's presence and power; and
- Terrifies, restrains and thwarts Satan.
Yet, when all is said and done, I need only look at Jesus, contemplate his love for me, and consider what he has done for me, to bow in worship.
He is worthy of all praise.
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