The Prayer That Precedes Your Praise

When trials of life come at you, and you begin to feel stuck, as if everything or everyone around you looks to be progressing towards greater things, discouragement and fear are the most common tools Satan will use to try and defeat you. He wants nothing more than to make you feel like God has left you, abandoned you, or left you to fight your battles alone, but we must not forget these three things: 
​1. God has ALREADY won! 
​2. God will never leave us or forsake us! 
​3. We have a very powerful tool that Satan cannot withstand, and that is our praise! 
​I want to talk about that third thing, and what we must do before we release our praise in the midst of the storm. You have to understand that your praise, which is a form of thanksgiving, is one of the most powerful tools we have as believers, and it is one of the most effective things we can use while we are waiting for a particular season to come to an end. Once you begin to see and accept the fullness of your praise, you will begin to see God work in your life like you have never seen before. God takes our praise, and turns it into something greater! He appreciates our praise, especially when it is hardest to do! Hebrews 13:15 says that we should offer him a sacrifice of praise with our lips, and in verse 16 it says that God is pleased with such a sacrifice.  In those moments of hardship where complain would be easier than praise, yet we choose to praise him anyways, blessing are released and God does the  things that surprise us.  
​While you are fighting a battle and waiting for the mountain in front of you to be moved, praise will get you through. It will show God that you are surrendering all power over to him therefore you trust completely in his timing and plan. I believe in order to fully commit to praising him through the storm, you must pray the prayer that precedes your praise. It's more important than you think, but it's not exaggerated or dramatic (nothing ever has to be when it comes to our relationship with Christ). 
Pray the prayer that precedes your praise!!
It means the prayer you pray with God that comes before you praise him for the miracle; it comes before you praise him for the break through.
When you're going through something difficult and you need a miracle; you need a prayer that will preceded your praise and then start praising. This step in your manifestation is crucial. It tells God that  you’re ready, and it shows Satan you’re done! It’s time to see change. It’s time to see this trial come to pass!

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The prayer that precedes your praise means you’re planting your feet on solid ground and you’re anchoring your faith while telling the enemy, "I’m not going anywhere because my Father has already won this battle. I will see the end of it AND I will come out on top!”
This prayer is important because it’s the end of your worry, it’s the end of the fear, it’s the end of sleepless nights because after you pray it, praise should be on your lips at all times (Ps. 34:1)
 until you see your mountain moved! Philippians 4:6 connects your prayer with your praise when it says, "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  After you pray, then praise and stop worrying about the situation you are in. Be confident that God has your back, and he is the one in control. 
The prayer that precedes praise is about you coming together with God; lining up your faith with the Word, and then standing firm and allowing God to be your rock while this storm passes over. The prayer that precedes your praise is you readying yourself and preparing yourself- physically and spiritually, to see the miracle happen; the trial come to a close; the season to change! 

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Have you ever heard the saying, “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel?”
The prayer that precedes your praise is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when it actually isn't there yet! This prayer is you stepping out in faith. It’s the way you prepare for battle. It’s saying, “I’ve had enough!” It’s pairing your faith with what God has to say about your situation and waiting for the turn around. It’s saying, “Not today, Satan!” The prayer that precedes your praise is taking a spiritual stance, and finding your footing.
Here's the important part:
It’s finding your balance because after you pray this prayer, you are putting your hands up and giving all control to the Lord. Your job then is to praise him for what he’s doing. You’re praising him for the miracle, for the manifestation, for the end of your struggles even when you don’t see it yet. It tells your struggles and your trial that they are coming to an end; I WILL win this because my God is bigger and has already won the ultimate battle so this little thing is nothing for him!
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This prayer is:
- Determination-
Not giving up when things seem worse, but sinking your faith deeper into the word. Look at what James 1:12 says- "Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life." 
​I think sticking it out is something we don't see too often now days. We live in a world where we really don't have to wait on much. If we want something, we can have it in our hands so quick. This makes life so much easier, and, trust me, I am thankful for Amazon's two-day shipping option on almost everything, but I also think things like this spoil us a little bit. We begin to expect God to work on our "two- day shipping" time frame, so to speak. We have to have determination, and stick it out when we are in a testing season. Praise will increase that determination and strength. Your praise will give you the stamina it takes to get in agreement with God's timing. 
- Giving over control-
You’re giving full control to God at this point. You’re putting your hands up in surrender, and saying it’s yours Lord, have your way then trusting that he will take care of you. Psalms 18:30 says that God's way is perfect and he shields those who take refuge in him. 
This is hard for me! I want to have a say so, I want to make things happen when it feels like I’m at a stale mate with the mountain in front of me. The waiting is the hardest thing for me! I'm a go-getter! I want things to get done! That's not always how God works, and  I just have to accept that. 
- Releasing the power of your faith into the battle- 
In Matthew 17:20 it says all you have to have is faith the size of a mustard seed, and nothing will be impossible for you. Give God that amount of faith, and watch him grow it until you see the end of what you are going through. Continue to increase your faith by praising him! Praise him about everything, even things that may seem small to you. The more you praise, the more your strength and faith will grow. ​

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I encourage you to take the leap of faith, pray the prayer that precedes your praise, then praise him for everything! See your faith and your strength begin to grow, and watch as God's plan unfolds right before your eyes. God WILL amaze you, and, here's the best part, your trial will then become your testimony that will encourage others!!! 

If you don't know how to pray this simple yet powerful prayer, or where to begin on finding the words to say to God, consider this prayer below! It is very similar to the words I have spoken to the Lord that began my journey of putting 100% trust in Him. Pray it then praise and watch your faith grow to new levels! 

Dear Lord, I know that everything I am going through is in your hands. I give you full control right now, over every aspect of this situation. It is no longer my mountain, but yours. It is no longer my battle, but yours. I want you to have your way because what I want in this moment might not line up with the destiny you have for me. I trust you because I know you have already won, and I will come out victorious!! Amen. 

Now start praising him for the victory that is not yet in sight, and don't ever stop! 


​I hope this boosted your faith as much as it did mine! Please pass it along to others so that they, too, can be encouraged and strengthened by the message! 
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​Let me know what you think! Comment below! I would love to hear how your praise got you through a trial! 

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