Reply To: Prayer Basics 2024/2025 Discussion Board 1

[VictorKachi]

Often times a lack of praise to God is the only thing that keeps people from receiving answers to their prayers.
It is important to Praise God before seeing our answers because:
1. Praising God in advance is an act of Faith. (“… the evidence of things not seen– Hebrews 11:1).
Praising God before answers takes faith But it also builds your faith. Why? Because faith comes by hearing. As you hear yourself saying thanks to God before your desire is manifested, you are declaring a deeper trust; you’re adding to your faith and increasing your certainty in what God has already declared about that desire. Praise is a super-important part of faith. It is like a thermometer that can be used to measure our spiritual temperature and find out where we are in believing in God. If our praise is limited, then our Faith is limited.
Acts 16:5 Nkjv
Paul and Silas even while in prison sang praise songs in their cell. This was before the earthquake struck that brought about their freedom. They would have sung God’s praises whether they saw His deliverance or not. Their praise was not dependent on their circumstances being pleasant, but on the faithfulness of God.
2. Our answers are already embedded in his will.
Note: It is important to recognize that not every prayer aligns with God’s will.

1 John 5:14-15 emphasizes the confidence we possess when approaching God, assuring us that He hears and responds to our requests. This assurance can inspire deep praise and gratitude, as it underscores God’s readiness to listen and fulfill our needs when they are in harmony with His will.

Numerous scriptural references provide us with solid assurances—Philippians 4:19, Isaiah 65:25, 1 Peter 2:24, Psalm 23:1, Mark 11:23, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 3:20, and 2 Peter 1:3, among others. You should feel no fear or doubt in receiving your answers, for His divine power has granted us everything we need and equipped us with the wisdom, resources, and grace to access all that He has provided. What a profound assurance! This realization should foster gratitude for what we possess instead of focusing on what we lack.

3. Praising God in advance speaks of the power of God to all who will hear:
Prior to this time, I expressed my praise to God without fully grasping how it affects the hearers – (5 hearers as listed in Lesson 6). I thought God was the only hearer but now I can make a deliberate decision of faith targeting my attention primarily towards God, therefore silencing the enemies of God (sickness, depression etc) as they recieve their quit notice and began to summit.

In conclusion, our prayers should be watered with praise before they will bear fruit. Yes, prayer has its place, But praise exclaims with gratitude and thanksgiving for the answers even before we receive it. All we ever needed has already being provided- It is a past-tense deal. The world has already been overcome, I am not only victorious but I am triumphant so I have to be of good cheer (John 6:33)