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Friends, greetings in Jesus Name! Today I will be sharing with you what I title, “The Act of Praise and Thanksgiving.” It is so easy to glue our minds to what God hasn’t done for us rather than what He has done, and still doing. Listen, the air that we breathe is enough to praise and give thanks to God. If you doubt, visit the nearest hospital and see how much some people pay daily for the oxygen they need to survive another day. I was in the US recently, and in one of the cities that I visited, there were accidents almost on a daily basis. In fact, the entire road will be blocked, with ambulances and the police rushing to help. There was a particular case where a beautiful lady was lying lifeless on the road, and I started praying for God to resuscitate her back to life. Then my friend who was in the car with me said, “Elvis, this is what we experience on a daily basis in this city.” The question is: Are we better than those who lose their lives every day? Of course not! It’s just by God’s grace that we are not consumed. Therefore, we should not take it for granted.

You see, our relationship with God is reciprocal. One major thing that keeps our relationship with God going is the act of “Praise and Thanksgiving”. Our praises to God attract His presence in our lives. The bible declares that, “God inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3). This is one secret that King David understood early in life. You will hear him say, “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). It doesn’t matter what you are going through right now. In fact, your case cannot be worse than that of Paul and Silas who were bound in chains, and left for dead in the prison. But the bible declares that, “At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. You know what? God showed up, their chains were broken, and they got released (Acts 16:25-26). Their faith-filled praises drew God’s attention.

Really, I have come to realize that if the devil can shut your mouth from praising God, then he has conquered you. You have to learn how to shout for joy in the midst of problems. Yes! The bible says you should make a joyful noise (Psalm 98:4). When? At all times…whether in good or bad times. When you lack joy in your life, you wither (Joel 1:12). “For the joy of the lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Satan knows it so well. That’s why he gets so mad when he sees you praising God in the midst of trials (Job 1). He wants you to carry a long face – frustration, despair, joyless, and depression. Why? Each time you carry a long face, it shows how long you will remain in your situation. According to one of the foremost heroes of faith in the 20th century, Lester Sumrall, he said there was a time when things were so tough for his family. To eat was a huge challenge for them. But his mother who was rugged in faith, knew how to pray and praise God.

According to Lester, his mum will call for a family dinner, set an empty plate before everyone with glasses of water – and then say – let us pray. Lester said before they would finish praying, a neighbor or family friend will knock at their door and say: The Lord told me to get these food stuffs to your family. What is the essence of this story? It means when you maintain an attitude of praise and faith in God, in the midst of trials of life, God will always show up for you. Psalm 34:1-7 declares, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Hallelujah! Remember, “Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). Have a Blessed and Praiseful Week. With love, Elvis