Praise
Praise is prayer par excellence—a total celebration of love.
Celebration
"Praise" comes from the Latin "prize," as in party . Though it's natural to pray in silence, it's not to celebrate in silence. Praise is more like being at a football game than playing chess. (For proof, see the Psalms, literally in Hebrew the book of "Praises".)
The outside and inside re-informce each other, which is one reason why charismatics encouarge external "full contact" worship: clapping, singing, face flat, hands raised, dancing, etc. Without expressive, genuine celebration , we're not giving the fuller self, and missing God's fuller self.
That is , praise is the highest because it's not just the mind, but both mind and body; not just serious, but serious and joyful; not just the head, but also the heart, etc. And, as we give more to God, the exciting thing is that He responds—and prayer often becomes not just one-way, but two-way!
A Few Reasons to Praise God
- For Love. Praise and worship is the most beautiful and reverent act; the response of a person's spirit to the privilege of being united with God. If for no other reason, we should praise God simply because He deserves it.
- Angels. They illustrate our pattern. In God's presence they bathe in awe, totally submitted. Once during worship, a friend saw a vision of many rows of angels bowing before God and periodically one would peel off like an F-18, going to the world to serve, full of God. We are to be like that.
- Release of the Real Self. In every choice, we actively cooperate in our own self-creation, becoming more of the person we will be in Heaven—the real future self. (The part inside that currently rejects praise , will not exist in Paradise). Praise helps release the real self.
- Spiritual Weaponry. Praise is also a powerful weapon against discouragement and oppression. Tradition has it that Satan used to be Heaven's worship leader and is especially defeated by the effects of our praise. See Praise Power
- Christ Celebrates. Jesus prays out loud. We are to be Christ.
- Releasing Gifts. The purpose of the gift of tongues is activated, enhanced vocal praise—God praises for you—which in turn helps release other, more poweful gifts, such as prophecy, visions and healing. See Charismatic Gifts
Witness from the Spirit
I ask of you your whole spirit, soul, and body, yet so often I get what's in your mind. Do you think too much about your prayer? I'm looking for your heart more than your head. At times, your thinking can be an enemy to the spirit that I have ingrained in you. Though I have created all of you, it is the balance of all I made you to be that brings out one area to its greatest fulfillment.
Unlike exercising a muscle repeatedly where it gets stronger with extended use, exertion of your mind in prayer will concentrate too much power to your known faculties and may cause less reliance on what your spirit is saying. Lead in with your spirit. Experience the wisdom of praise.
I can reach your depths when you enter in to My presence in holy surrender. Your depths of your spirit know far more in time of praise than hours of pondering and questioning. Your most profound insight is most often the product, or byproduct, of the deepest times of prayer. Once your mind grasps what the spirit is telling it, now you have true direction. It never works in reverse—mind first speaking to spirit. The mind is too finite to probe the deeper things of God. So, again, I say, lead in with your spirit and connect with My Holy Spirit. I will show you truth.