1. Victory over our enemies (II Chron. 20:1-30).
2. Release from bondage (Acts 16:16-34).
3. Inner peace and joy (I Sam. 16:14-23).
4. The breaking up of large problems (Joshua 1:17-2:10).
5. Special protection from enemies (Isa. 4:5-6).
6. A special manifestation of God’s presence (II Chron. 5:12-14).
We worship God with our voices:

1. With audible praise (Ps. 34:1; 40:16; 42:4; 66:8; Acts 4:24 Heb. 2:12; 13:15; Eph. 5:19).
2. With singing (Ps. 47:6; 61:8; 68:4; 104:33; James 5:13)
3. With shouting (Ps. 5:11; 27:6; 32:11; 35:27).
We worship God with our hands:

1. By lifting hands (Ps. 63:4; 119:48; 134:2; 141:2; I Tim. 2:8).
2. By clapping hands (Ps. 47:1; 98:8; Isa. 55:12).
3. By playing musical instruments (Ps. 33:2-3; 57:8; 150:3-6; Joel 2:1).
We worship God with our Posture:

1. By standing (Ps. 135:2; 134:1; Hebrews 10:11)
2. By dancing (Ps. 30:11; 149:3; 150:4; Luke 1:14,44; Acts 2:46; Matt. 5:12; 1:16,17).
3. By bowing or kneeling (Ps. 95:6; Eph. 3:14).
What is Praise?

Praise means “to commend, to applaud or magnify.” For the Christian, praise to God is an expression of worship, lifting-up and glorifying the Lord. It is an expression of humbling ourselves and centering our attention upon the Lord with heart-felt expressions of love, adoration and thanksgiving. High praises bring our spirit into a pinnacle of fellowship and intimacy between ourselves and God – it magnifies our awareness of our spiritual union with the Most High God. Praise transports us into the realm of the supernatural and into the power of God.

“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance” (Psalms 89:15).

There are many actions involved with praise to God – verbal expressions of adoration and thanksgiving, singing, playing instruments, shouting, dancing, lifting or clapping our hands. But true praise is not “merely” going through these motions. Jesus spoke about the hypocrisy of the pharisees, whose worship was only an outward show and not from the heart.

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8).

Genuine praise to God is a matter of humility and sincere devotion to the Lord from within. Unpretentious praise and worship pleases the Lord. He delights in the love and devotion of His children. According to the scriptures, the various expressions of praise bring blessing to the Lord. He eagerly awaits the fragrance of our affections, desiring to manifest His sweet presence and power in our midst.

“…the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23).

Praise to God is a Lifestyle All too often, praise to God is something that many people leave at church, an event that happens only when they come together with other Christians. However, praise should be a part of a believers lifestyle, inter-mingled as a part of their daily prayer-life. At work, in the car, at home in bed, or anywhere; praise to the Lord brings the refreshing of the Lord’s presence, along with His power and anointing.

“…I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalms 34:1).

Praise is an expression of faith, and a declaration of victory! It declares that we believe God is with us and is in control of the outcome of all our circumstances (Romans 8:28). Praise is a “sacrifice,” something that we offer to God sacrificially, not just because we feel like it, but because we believe in Him and wish to please Him.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Praise Sends the Enemy Running Since praise manifests God’s presence, we also realize that praise repels the presence of the enemy, Satan. An atmosphere which is filled with sincere worship and praise to God by humble and contrite hearts is disgusting to the Devil. He fears the power in the name of Jesus, and flees from the Lord’s habitation in praise.

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God” (Psalms 50:23).

Being the people of “praise” (Judah actually means Praise), and knowing that God manifests His power through praise, they sent their army against their enemies, led by the praisers! When God’s people begin to praise His name, it sends the enemy running! I challenge you to become a person of praise, and you will experience the release of the power of God!