If you want to meet the Queen of England, you just cannot enter Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle directly and say, “Your Majesty, Ma’am”. There will be several protocols to be followed before meeting the Queen, just the same if you wanted to meet anyone of significant importance. When we want to get into the presence of God, we too need to follow some protocols. We can come into the presence of God by praise and thanksgiving. Praise and thanksgiving gives us access to The Holies of Holies, the inner sanctuary of God’s presence; anytime, anywhere, for our God is Omnipresent. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (Psalms 95:2).

The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary states that praise is to express thanks to, or love and respect for God. We are created by God to love Him and we express our love for God by praising Him. This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise (Isaiah 43:21). When we enter into God’s presence, we do not enter empty handed, but bring Him an offering. We bring Him a sacrifice, and our offerings and sacrifices are that of praise and thanksgiving. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name (Hebrews 13:15).

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalms 34:1). We are to praise God continually without ceasing. Praises for God will never cease. It will continue for all eternity. To cease praising God is to cease loving God. We praise God for who He is and we thank Him for all that He has done. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel (Psalms 22:3). God inhabits in our praises. When we draw near to Him, He too draws near to us.

praise1We are to praise and thank God not just in good times, but we are to praise and thank Him in times of great difficulties and hardships as well. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). There are times when it may be difficult to praise God, in depression and grief. Nevertheless those are the times we need to praise God all the more. Praising God in times of distress changes our attitude and also our circumstances. To provide for them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified (Isaiah 61:3).

Praising God, is expressing our love, gratitude and adoration for Him, and how one praises God is unique and personal. We can praise God through singing, clapping, jumping, dancing, shouting, laughing, crying, lifting our hands, with musical instruments, etc. Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. (Psalms 150:1-6). We praise God with our entire being. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (Psalms 103:1).

When we enter into God’s presence, we bring him an offering of praise, and God in return is very generous to us and will never send us back empty handed, but bless us graciously. The descendants of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal (1 Chronicles 4:1). In the bible, names have great significance. The name Judah means ‘Praise’ and Judah’s offspring’s were Perez (cut off, Sanctification), Hezron (divine protection), Carmi (abundant harvest), Hur (liberty, freedom) and Shobal (prosperous, overflowing). Which means that Praise (Judah) produces Perez which means breach, divider and cut-off. When we praise God we are sanctified, we are cut off from evil. We become consecrated to the Lord. If you are hanging around wicked company, you will be cut off from them. If you are living in sin, praise will separate you from evil, and lead you into the path of righteousness. When you start praising God, your life will never be the same again because you are divided, separated from evil and consecrated to God.

Next, praise will produce Hezron, which means a shield, shut in, surround. Praise will shield you from the enemy, it will deliver you and protect you from all evil. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you (Psalms 91:7). When we praise God, the enemy gets paralysed, it stops the avenger and God’s blessings and power begins to operate in your life. If you praise God, you will be raised, shielded and delivered. If you complain, you will remain vulnerable to the enemy. Praise releases God’s power, complaining and bitterness opens the door to the enemy.

Praise will produce Carmi, which means a grand harvest. When you begin to praise God, you will be blessed beyond measures. You will have extraordinary blessings upon you which will result in a harvest of abundance. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Psalms 43:19). God will make things to work in your life like never before. When you release praise to God, He will release His power in your life. You will harvest things that you had not sown. It is God’s awesome grace.

Praise produces Hur, which means noble, liberty, freedom. It sets you free from every guilt, shame, oppression, bondage, negativity, worry and every sin. When you start praising God, you start focusing on His graciousness, His mercy, His loving kindness and everything evil that has a hold on you starts to fall off. You will experience liberty. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).

Praise produces Shobal, which means overflowing, pioneer, wanderer, traveller. The praise of God produces abundance in your life. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalms 23:5-6). Shobal also means you will go ahead in life, the blessing of God will propel you ahead and grant you unexpected favours.

Our praise (Judah) to God produces sanctification (Perez), divine protection (Hezron), abundance of harvest (Carmi), liberty and freedom (Hur) and prosperity that is overflowing (Shobal). We are created to praise and for eternity we will sing God’s praise. Begin praising God for His creation, His goodness, His mercy, His salvation, His protection and His provision. Thank Him for every blessing in your life, the big and the small.

Below are some of the ways you can praise God if you are a beginner. However, I recommend not to say it by heart, because it can sound like a two year old singing nursery rhymes, where you are no longer thoughtful of what you are saying. Try to be spontaneous and let the praises rise from your heart. You can sing praises to God even if you have an awful voice. The beauty of the praises comes from your love for God, not from your voice. Make music unto the Lord, even if you cannot read a note. Dance to the Lord, even if you have two left feet. Delight in the Lord, because He delights in you.

Praise You, Jesus, You are my life, my love.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the name above all names.
Praise You, Jesus, You are Emmanuel, God with us.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the King of Kings.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the King of creation.
Praise You, Jesus, You are King of the universe.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Lord of lords.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Almighty.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Christ.
Praise You, Jesus, You are Christ the King.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Lamb of God.
Praise You, Jesus, You are Lion of Judah.

Praise You, Jesus, You are our Champion and Shield.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Strength and our Song.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Way of our life.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Only Truth.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Real Life.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Wonderful Counsellor.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Light of the World.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Living Word.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Redeemer.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Anointed One.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Holy One of Israel.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Sheep Gate.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Lord of hosts.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Rock of all ages.
Praise You, Jesus, You are my Hiding Place.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Saviour of the world.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Strong Tower.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Mountain Refuge.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Font of all holiness.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Living Water.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the True Vine.
Praise You, Jesus, You are my Spouse, my Maker.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Fortress.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Deliverer.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Victory.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Salvation.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Righteousness.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Wisdom.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Sanctification.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Justification.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Door.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the great I AM.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the great High Priest.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Cornerstone.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Sure Foundation.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Joy.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Portion and Cup.
Praise You, Jesus, You are my Healing and Wholeness.
Praise You, Jesus, You are our Covenant.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Promise of the Father.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Everlasting One.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Most High God.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Lamb that was slain.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Just Judge.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Balm of Gilead.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Mighty Warrior.
Praise You, Jesus, You are my Defence.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Bridegroom.
Praise You, Jesus, You are my Patience.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Solid Reality
Praise You, Jesus, You are my Provider.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Resurrection and the Life.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Alpha and the Omega.
Praise You, Jesus, You are the Beginning and the End.
Praise You, Jesus, You are all that I need.
Praise You, Jesus, You are all that I want.
Praise You, Jesus, You are worthy of all praise.

Praise You, Jesus, You are worthy of all praise.
Amen.

 

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