The first time I heard of Gospel singer, Nathaniel Basseys

I thought to myself, 'Finally, people have a way to get closer to God, a way to challenge ourselves and our problems.'

Why? Because praise is a wonderful tool.

Praying is amazing but it often serves as a way for most people, who have realised that prayer is a two-way street, to simply talk about their problems.

With prayer, the focus is mostly on the problems and pleading with God to help you with them.

ALSO READ: Praying does not have to be an event

However, praise is different. With praise, the focus is totally on God.

Hebrews 12:28 says, "Let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe."

While praising God, you take your eyes away from your problems and keep them on the Creator of the universe.

Praise is powerful because it encourages us to focus on God even in the midst of the storms of life.

The more we praise Him, the stronger our faith becomes because we are reminded that He is in control.

Psalm 145:3 confirms this, "Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!

It gives us time to be renewed, and for our belief in Him to be replenshed.

Romans 4:20 says,  Abraham “grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God.”

Praising God removes the fears, doubts, worries, leaving us with faith, strength, hope, and spiritual wholeness.

Psalm 138:2-3 says, "I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength."

Another great thing about praising Him is that it is often followed by victories and testimonies.

Joshua 6:16 & 20 says, “…Joshua said to the people: ‘Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!’…And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat.”

ALSO READ: The Power of Praise

Ultimately, praise takes our focus from life and it's problems to where it should always be, on God the author and finisher of our faith.

In the wise words of author and minister, Chuck Pierce, “Praise causes the presence of the Lord to come into our midst. Even though God is omniscient, He manifests His authority and rule in our environment when we praise Him. ”

As Bassey's #halleluyahchallenge comes to an end, let us be encouraged to take the opportunity to strengthen our faith while showing our problems that God is in control.

This is the thirteenth article in the 'Things God Told Me to Tell You' series. The first was 'Love is the ONLY reason for our existence.'

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