I've been rereading some books I have by Merlin Carothers (Praise Works, Power in Praise, From Prison to Praise)and the lesson I'm learning from these books have been reinforced in the most marvelous way.
Basically, Merlin Carothers teaches us to praise God in every circumstance (as commanded in 1 Thes 5:16-18, Eph 5:20, etc). To even praise God FOR the tragedies, the bad, the negative things in our lives.
Most of us balk at that idea. We know God is love, and God is good. So why praise God for the bad stuff. It seems...wrong.
And yet the Bible says, Be thankful always, in ALL circumstances.
Merlin says that we can only praise God for the bad things too if we believe in an omnipotent, loving Father who is working out our situation for our good (Romans 8:28)
We accept the things God is permitting to happen in our lives as part of God's plan to reveal His perfect love to us.
Maybe He is going to do an astounding miracle that you can't see yet. Maybe He is letting you see where your faith is weak, or where you still need some growth. Maybe He is showing you where you are not depending on Him. Remember, Job couldn't see how his situation was ever going to get any better, but in the end God blessed Him twice as much as before tragedy struck.
The point is, we don't know WHY God permits certain things to happen but He DOES permit it. So He has to have a good reason.
Many many people have written to Merlin Carothers to attest to the power of praising God in bad situations. Either they changed on the inside and had some peace and joy, or the situation changed on the outside.
It's a hard thing to do - always praising God no matter what. It doesn't mean we don't share our honest feelings about the situation with Him, but we express our pain and our praise.
So now I'm reading about all of this and feeling there's some big truth being revealed when I suddenly receive an email that informs me about a prayer request sent to our church and how the situation drastically improved when the person stopped grumbling and complaining and just praised God every day. I mean, I looked up from my book and there was the email. Coincidence? I think not!
Seems like confirmation to me that this is the way to pray in power - the prayer of praise!
8 comments:
I just finished his book last week, after being given it by a friend from church. The most radical posture on praise I have ever heard. I sometimes struggle with FAITH and UNDERSTANDING, but I am good at OBEDIENCE. I can follow rules. I am going to follow this rule: Praise Him in ALL things and everything.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and let me know how this goes!
I am re-reading and going through scripture with "Prison to Praise". I have not heard of Merlin Carothers before I bought this book and I must say, he makes certain sense and his practice is biblical. I also watched a sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley on how to Pray and his sermon supported M.C.'s belief - putting 2 and 2 together - they agree because they agree with the bible. This small change in my thinking and attitude is making a huge difference in my life.
karin writes:
" praise God in every circumstance (as commanded in 1 Thes 5:16-18, Eph 5:20, etc). To even praise God FOR the tragedies, the bad, the negative things in our lives.Most of us balk at that idea. We know God is love, and God is good. So why praise God for the bad stuff. It seems...wrong"
I AM feeling the beginning of a MarkP. prayer is truth " I AM content with THY great plan"
Do we know it for sure ? Do we see it? Do we get it? Do we deny it, by manipulating our life?
A GOD OF LOVE.......would he have a great Plan for us to suffer ?
Are we not the ones creating suffering by leaving paradise ?
ISN'T GOD'S GREAT PLAN FOR US TO BE ALL LOVE LIKE HIM? We can choose.To me there is no GOD of wrath. Wrath is the epitome of a fearful mind. GOD IS NOT FEARFUL.
How can we then thank GOD for suffering ? To me suffering is caused by (innocent) ignorance.
Shouldn't suffering be a sign,.." I am not in joy and therefore not walking in GOD's great plan"?
ALL QUESTION I pondered....... but dare not answer for SURE.
I can only GUESS:
GOD IS LOVE, WANTS US TO BE JOY, AND NOT SUFFERING. SUFFERING IS CAUSED BY ME NOT HEARING GOD. I am TAKING STEPS THAT CAUSE ME SUFFERING.( It is a great mistake to feel guilty about that). All in this universe is energy. God Source is Light and Love, and surely doesn't wish suffering. Suffering is a choice of the (sleepy)ignorant mind.
When I suffer I pray and contemplate. I feel no guilt. I ask Divine Universe which way to go, and all aligns again, returning to balance, and it most always works. It works because when I surrender I see GOD'S mercy. I see without guilt where I was not " within God's great plan".
Can someone refer me to MP3 downloads of "praise" sermons? Struggling to find it on line.
Pieter
Pieter, since you didn't leave any email address I hope you will check back here. I haven't really searched for sermons on praise that much.
I did a quick search using the words "praise sermon download" and got a link to this site:
http://www.sermoncloud.com/sermons-about-praise/
Dear Karin,
In the past month or so I have read two books by Merlin Carothers- 'Praise Works' and 'Prison to Praise'. Since I am unemployed for many years I have had depression on and off. But after reading these books, I am heartened and positive yet also realistic. When I compare it to a book I read on positive thinking, there is no doubt to me that these are gold as opposed to golden.
I live in Pretoria and would love to get his books for friends of mine hence was searching on his name. For myself I'd like to get all his books.
Have a praise-filled day. Praise Yahweh ('I AM WHO I AM'), Yehoshua ('I AM WHO I AM SAVES' aka Jesus) and the Holy Spirit.
God Bless.
Tom
Just doesn’t make sense to praise God for tragedy ! Thank u God for my divorce and the total division of my family. The rejection from his family and my sons when it was he that cheated. I’m alone and existing until the end.
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