Friday, 5th April 2024
By Pst Israel Olorunfemi
TEXT: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)
As a reminder, this month of April is our month of Praise works wonders in the Morning Tea Devotional Family. It is my prayer that our lives as MTDians shall be full of wonders this month and onwards, in Jesus name. I want us to examine the subject of prayer and praise. Pls note that praise is not and will never be a substitute to prayers. There is a time to pray and a time to praise. It is so alarming today that many are praying that they care not to find out what else to do even when they are not receiving answers to their prayers. We often hear people asked us in time of challenges “Have you prayed?” No, it is time for us to embrace the power in praise. It is time to ask that person who is passing through challenges: “Have you praised God?”
Every prayer required the activities of angels to be answered. For instance, when Peter was arrested and kept in prison, the Bible says that prayer was offered to God daily for him. Prayer was offered and God sent an angel to execute his release (Acts 12). Looking at the book of Daniel also, we found three instances where God responded to Daniel’s prayers by dispatching angels to deliver the answers (Dan 9, 6 and10). There is no omnipotent angel, but we have Omnipotent Father and praise is what gets Him involved in any matter of concern to us.
When it comes to victory over life’s situations and challenges, praise is more powerful than prayer. Am I undermining prayer? NO. The Bible makes it clear that God dwells in praises (Ps 22:3). When God arises in praises, His enemies are bound to scatter (Ps 68:1). When Paul and Silas were arrested in today’s anchor scripture, they prayed but, as soon as they switched on to praise, sudden deliverance took place. God stepped into the prison and immediately the prison door opened and their bands were loosed (Acts 16:25-30). Beloved, praise is the key to apply this month.
PRAYER: I see God arising for you suddenly and all enemies of your life shall scatter. The Egyptians you see today, you shall see them again no more forever in Jesus name!
TODAY’S TASK:
Give God at least 30mins praise today. Choose a time that will be convenient for you to praise God uninterrupted. Wonders shall be your new experience this month, in Jesus name.
DAILY CONFESSION:
This year 2024, I am advancing in adversity because I’ve been redeemed to flourish in hard times therefore my life shall be full of wonders. Amen and amen.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “Praise works wonders.”
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
April 5 (Luke 8:26-56; 1Sam 1-3)
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