When Do We Praise
Jesus' example of giving thanks before the miracle of resurrection teaches us the importance of praise as a preparatory ministry to the working of miracles in our lives.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the power of praise and thanksgiving in connection with prayer, emphasizing the importance of offering gratitude even before receiving the answer to our prayers. He highlights how Jesus gave thanks before the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection, showcasing that praise is a vital preparatory ministry to experiencing miracles. Cowman encourages believers to adopt a posture of thanksgiving, as it pleases God and blesses the one who prays, sharing a personal testimony of how thanksgiving transformed his own dark situation in China.
Text
"And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me" (John 11:41).
This is a very strange and unusual order. Lazarus is still in the grave, and the thanksgiving precedes the miracle of resurrection. I thought that the thanksgiving would have risen when the great deed had been wrought, and Lazarus was restored to life again. But Jesus gives thanks for what He is about to receive. The gratitude breaks forth before the bounty has arrived, in the assurance that it is certainly on the way. The song of victory is sung before the battle has been fought. It is the sower who is singing the song of the harvest home. It is thanksgiving before the miracle!
Who thinks of announcing a victory-psalm when the crusaders are just starting out for the field? Where can we hear the grateful song for the answer which has not yet been received? And after all, there is nothing strange or forced, or unreasonable in the Master's order. Praise is really the most vital preparatory ministry to the working of the miracles. Miracles are wrought by spiritual power. Spiritual power is always proportioned to our faith.--Dr. Jowett
PRAISE CHANGES THINGS
Nothing so pleases God in connection with our prayer as our praise, and nothing so blesses the man who prays as the praise which he offers. I got a great blessing once in China in this connection. I had received bad and sad news from home, and deep shadows had covered my soul. I prayed, but the darkness did not vanish. I summoned myself to endure, but the darkness only deepened. Just then I went to an inland station and saw on the wall of the mission home these words: "Try Thanksgiving." I did, and in a moment every shadow was gone, not to return. Yes, the Psalmist was right, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord."--Rev. Henry W. Frost
Sermon Outline
- Praise as a Preparatory Ministry
- The Importance of Praise in Prayer
- The Power of Praise
- Praise changes things
- Spiritual power is proportioned to our faith
Key Quotes
“Praise is really the most vital preparatory ministry to the working of the miracles.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Praise changes things” — Charles E. Cowman
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Make praise a vital part of your prayer life by giving thanks to God in all circumstances.
- Trust in God's faithfulness and provision to experience the power of praise.
- Praise changes things by releasing spiritual power and faith in your life.