Life Plan Devotion #110 [Getting prayers answered, Part III]

Hi, Everyone.
Today, we will finish looking at the 2nd basic condition to answered prayer. I remember when I first got the revelation of how important it is to begin prayer with praising God. I felt so inadequate, doing that. I mean, how do you pray words that truly do justice to God.
For a long time, I used words from the Psalms, to express my praise. I still do that, from time to time. Other times, even now, I sing to the Lord. He loves it when we do that, even if we can only "make a joyful noise unto the LORD." :) When I was much younger, I would dance before Him. I figured if David could do it, so could I. :) I have other ways of praising the Lord, but those are a few I'm willing to share today.
How do you express your praise to Him? I'd love to hear from you.

Life Plan Devotion #110 [Getting your prayers answered, Part III]

Psalm 63:4 "I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands" (NIV).

     Last time, we began looking at the second of 7 basic conditions to answered prayer, to pray with praise and thanksgiving. The first basic condition to getting your prayers answered is to pray in the Name of Jesus. Today, let's continue to look at praise praying.
     II Chronicles 20 is a wonderful chapter and an excellent example of praise praying. In verses 13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, Jehoshaphat has just been told that the armies of three nations are coming to do battle with him and all Judah. "And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their children and their wives. [Zechariah's son] said, Hearken, all Judah, you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping Him. And they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; believe and remain steadfast to His prophets and you shall prosper. When he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him in their holy [priestly] garments as they went out before the army, saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever! And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the [armies] who had come against Judah..." [Amplified].
     Do you see that praise was the weapon? This is an account of a physical confrontation but with a spiritual weapon. When the spiritual meets the physical, the spiritual rules, always wins. Jehoshaphat knew the importance of being led forth in praise and thanksgiving. We would do well to follow his example.
     Psalm 100:4 instructs us to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name" [NIV]. If you pray with praise and thanksgiving, your prayer will lift like incense to the very Throne of God!
     Whatever is going on in your life today, consider Philippians 4:6, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns" (Message).

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can be full of battles, just like all of life. Ultimately, "the battle is not yours, but God's." Stand firm, praise Him, and watch Him do battle for you against an enemy who does not want you to win, even in matters of weight. You may lose some skirmishes, but, with God's help, you will win the war.

Confession:
When I pray, I will enter Heaven's gate with thanksgiving and God's court with praise. I will offer to God my sacrifice of praise, not only for what God is doing in my life but for who He is. Because God inhabits praise, my prayers lift as incense to my Father.

Blessings,
Mary