The Power of Prayer, Proclamation, and Praise in a Troubled World
In a world that seems increasingly chaotic and filled with darkness, where tragedy strikes and leaves us questioning our faith, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. But as believers, we have access to three powerful tools that can transform our lives and the world around us: prayer, proclamation, and praise. These aren't just empty rituals or meaningless words. When wielded with genuine faith and intention, they become spiritual weapons that can break chains, open prison doors, and bring healing to the brokenhearted.
Consider the story of the ten lepers in the Bible. All were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. The Scripture tells us that this man's healing was made complete in that moment of gratitude. There's an important lesson here about the power of praise – not just after we receive blessings, but even in the midst of our struggles. We see this same principle at work in the account of Paul and Silas in prison. Beaten and chained, they didn't wallow in despair. Instead, they prayed, proclaimed God's word, and sang hymns of praise. Before they saw any physical change in their circumstances, they chose to worship. And what happened? The chains fell off, and the prison doors flung open. This is the model we're called to follow. We're in a battle – not ‘against flesh and blood’, but against 'spiritual forces of evil'. To be prepared for this fight, we must arm ourselves with prayer, God's word, and a sincere heart of praise.
But in our modern world, there's a dangerous narrative gaining traction. We hear it in the wake of tragedies, when voices cry out, "Thoughts and prayers aren't enough!" While often well-intentioned, this sentiment can be spiritually perilous if we're not careful. On the surface, it may seem like a call to action beyond mere words. But dig deeper, and you'll find satan’s age-old strategy at work. It's the same lie he whispered to Eve in the Garden of Eden - the tactic of doubt sown in a heart: "Did God really say?’ – implying … Is He really enough for the problems you face? … “The truth is, our God IS more than enough. But we must understand that not all "thoughts and prayers" are created equal. God doesn't hear the prayers of those who aren't in relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. John 9:31 reminds us, "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the Godly person who does his will.“ This is why it's crucial for believers who know how to truly pray, proclaim God's word, and praise Him in both the mountaintops and valleys of life to rise up. We have a responsibility to intercede for our world, to speak truth into the darkness, and to offer genuine, empathetic prayer – not just sympathetic platitudes.
(Now - just a little note here - a quick - "time out": Before you think I'm getting all "holier than thou"- on you ... or 'high and mighty' ... hold up - I'm not! The only difference between all of "us" - sinners - is that a Christian has admitted their sin (acknowledged it directly to God) that they've "blown-it" (maybe a million times and we're still prone to blow it and sometimes we do - though we don't want to) - but they say so - "God, I'm a sinner" and I need You". We've "fessed up" and confessed it to Jesus Christ - who hears our hearts (and quite frankly knows all about our issues anyway) - So a Christian is a sinner that has recognized - they need a Savior - and that we can't save ourselves. The Bible says - that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) - and that "death" - is separation from God for all eternity" in a place called hell - "the lake of fire" (Rev 20:15). So we recognize this dilemma concerning ourselves, and we get real - "real quick" - we "change our mind about it all" - we change our minds - our hearts and direction (that's repentance) about our sin, others, ourselves, God and Jesus Christ. We invite Jesus and receive Him into our hearts and lives and do our best through the Holy Spirit to live out our days - His Way! Will we be perfect? I wish it were so - but no - (perfection will only be found in Heaven) and in Christ! It is His perfection and death on the Cross of Calvary - coupled with our faith in His sacrifice (for our sins) that has - satisfied God's wrath upon us - for all who would believe. ("... by (His) grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God". -Eph 2:8) His resurrection defeated death for all those who have put their trust in Him (John 3:15&16) - Jesus took the pain and suffering we had coming! This isn't just my opinion - this Is The Good News - the Gospel of Jesus Christ - written by God - in His Bible. So - Confess - Repent - Believe and Receive! Then what? - find a good Bible Based Church -that you are comfortable in - where you find other "saved sinners" who can humbly - walk with you through this life and into the next one - our Home in Heaven. Trust me - you do not want to wind up in a place called hell!
NOW BACK TO THE BLOG!
As I was saying - As Christians (saved sinners) -we have a responsibility to intercede for our world, to speak truth into the darkness, and to offer genuine, empathetic prayer – not just sympathetic platitudes.
Remember the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." This is both a promise and a call to action for God's people.
In times of tragedy, it's easy to feel helpless. But we serve a God who is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Our role is to be His HEART, hands and feet, to offer more than just passing sympathy. We're called to empathy – to linger with those who are hurting, to consider deeply what they're going through, and to lift them up in genuine, heartfelt prayer. This doesn't mean we ignore practical action or dismiss the complex issues our world faces. But it does mean recognizing that at the root of every problem – whether it's violence, mental health crises, or societal breakdown – is a spiritual issue that requires a spiritual solution. Only Jesus Christ can truly change a person's heart. And He does it one heart at a time – (from the inside out), often using us as His instruments through prayer, proclamation of His Word, and praise that defies circumstances. As we look at the state of our world, it's clear that we're in a pivotal moment. The love of many is growing cold, just as Jesus predicted (Matthew 24:12). But this isn't a time for despair – it's a wake-up call for the Church to rise up in fervent, intentional prayer and loving action. We must be a people who know how to pray with humility, who have hidden God's word in our hearts so we can proclaim it boldly, and who choose praise even when it makes no sense to the world around us.
I agree … let’s not be content with shallow "thoughts and prayers" – “just sending out “good vibes” – won't get us anywhere - these are mere platitudes. Instead, let's commit to deep, empathetic intercession for both victims, their families and also the perpetrators of evil. Let's proclaim God's truth and promises over our lives, our loved ones, and even those we don't know. And let's cultivate hearts of praise that recognize God's goodness and sovereignty even in the darkest valleys. The world may mock and ask, "Where is your God?" But we know the answer. He's right here, in the midst of the brokenness, working through His people to bring light to the darkness. "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
As we face the challenges of our time, let's remember that we're not just living for this world, but for the next one. Our call is to die to ourselves here so that we might truly live there. And in the process, we have the incredible privilege of partnering with God to bring glimpses of His kingdom to earth. So let us pray fervently, proclaim boldly, and praise continuously. For our God IS more than enough, and through Him, we have the power to move mountains and change hearts – starting with our own. ~Amen!
In a world that seems increasingly chaotic and filled with darkness, where tragedy strikes and leaves us questioning our faith, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. But as believers, we have access to three powerful tools that can transform our lives and the world around us: prayer, proclamation, and praise. These aren't just empty rituals or meaningless words. When wielded with genuine faith and intention, they become spiritual weapons that can break chains, open prison doors, and bring healing to the brokenhearted.
Consider the story of the ten lepers in the Bible. All were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. The Scripture tells us that this man's healing was made complete in that moment of gratitude. There's an important lesson here about the power of praise – not just after we receive blessings, but even in the midst of our struggles. We see this same principle at work in the account of Paul and Silas in prison. Beaten and chained, they didn't wallow in despair. Instead, they prayed, proclaimed God's word, and sang hymns of praise. Before they saw any physical change in their circumstances, they chose to worship. And what happened? The chains fell off, and the prison doors flung open. This is the model we're called to follow. We're in a battle – not ‘against flesh and blood’, but against 'spiritual forces of evil'. To be prepared for this fight, we must arm ourselves with prayer, God's word, and a sincere heart of praise.
But in our modern world, there's a dangerous narrative gaining traction. We hear it in the wake of tragedies, when voices cry out, "Thoughts and prayers aren't enough!" While often well-intentioned, this sentiment can be spiritually perilous if we're not careful. On the surface, it may seem like a call to action beyond mere words. But dig deeper, and you'll find satan’s age-old strategy at work. It's the same lie he whispered to Eve in the Garden of Eden - the tactic of doubt sown in a heart: "Did God really say?’ – implying … Is He really enough for the problems you face? … “The truth is, our God IS more than enough. But we must understand that not all "thoughts and prayers" are created equal. God doesn't hear the prayers of those who aren't in relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. John 9:31 reminds us, "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the Godly person who does his will.“ This is why it's crucial for believers who know how to truly pray, proclaim God's word, and praise Him in both the mountaintops and valleys of life to rise up. We have a responsibility to intercede for our world, to speak truth into the darkness, and to offer genuine, empathetic prayer – not just sympathetic platitudes.
(Now - just a little note here - a quick - "time out": Before you think I'm getting all "holier than thou"- on you ... or 'high and mighty' ... hold up - I'm not! The only difference between all of "us" - sinners - is that a Christian has admitted their sin (acknowledged it directly to God) that they've "blown-it" (maybe a million times and we're still prone to blow it and sometimes we do - though we don't want to) - but they say so - "God, I'm a sinner" and I need You". We've "fessed up" and confessed it to Jesus Christ - who hears our hearts (and quite frankly knows all about our issues anyway) - So a Christian is a sinner that has recognized - they need a Savior - and that we can't save ourselves. The Bible says - that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) - and that "death" - is separation from God for all eternity" in a place called hell - "the lake of fire" (Rev 20:15). So we recognize this dilemma concerning ourselves, and we get real - "real quick" - we "change our mind about it all" - we change our minds - our hearts and direction (that's repentance) about our sin, others, ourselves, God and Jesus Christ. We invite Jesus and receive Him into our hearts and lives and do our best through the Holy Spirit to live out our days - His Way! Will we be perfect? I wish it were so - but no - (perfection will only be found in Heaven) and in Christ! It is His perfection and death on the Cross of Calvary - coupled with our faith in His sacrifice (for our sins) that has - satisfied God's wrath upon us - for all who would believe. ("... by (His) grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God". -Eph 2:8) His resurrection defeated death for all those who have put their trust in Him (John 3:15&16) - Jesus took the pain and suffering we had coming! This isn't just my opinion - this Is The Good News - the Gospel of Jesus Christ - written by God - in His Bible. So - Confess - Repent - Believe and Receive! Then what? - find a good Bible Based Church -that you are comfortable in - where you find other "saved sinners" who can humbly - walk with you through this life and into the next one - our Home in Heaven. Trust me - you do not want to wind up in a place called hell!
NOW BACK TO THE BLOG!
As I was saying - As Christians (saved sinners) -we have a responsibility to intercede for our world, to speak truth into the darkness, and to offer genuine, empathetic prayer – not just sympathetic platitudes.
Remember the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." This is both a promise and a call to action for God's people.
In times of tragedy, it's easy to feel helpless. But we serve a God who is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Our role is to be His HEART, hands and feet, to offer more than just passing sympathy. We're called to empathy – to linger with those who are hurting, to consider deeply what they're going through, and to lift them up in genuine, heartfelt prayer. This doesn't mean we ignore practical action or dismiss the complex issues our world faces. But it does mean recognizing that at the root of every problem – whether it's violence, mental health crises, or societal breakdown – is a spiritual issue that requires a spiritual solution. Only Jesus Christ can truly change a person's heart. And He does it one heart at a time – (from the inside out), often using us as His instruments through prayer, proclamation of His Word, and praise that defies circumstances. As we look at the state of our world, it's clear that we're in a pivotal moment. The love of many is growing cold, just as Jesus predicted (Matthew 24:12). But this isn't a time for despair – it's a wake-up call for the Church to rise up in fervent, intentional prayer and loving action. We must be a people who know how to pray with humility, who have hidden God's word in our hearts so we can proclaim it boldly, and who choose praise even when it makes no sense to the world around us.
I agree … let’s not be content with shallow "thoughts and prayers" – “just sending out “good vibes” – won't get us anywhere - these are mere platitudes. Instead, let's commit to deep, empathetic intercession for both victims, their families and also the perpetrators of evil. Let's proclaim God's truth and promises over our lives, our loved ones, and even those we don't know. And let's cultivate hearts of praise that recognize God's goodness and sovereignty even in the darkest valleys. The world may mock and ask, "Where is your God?" But we know the answer. He's right here, in the midst of the brokenness, working through His people to bring light to the darkness. "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
As we face the challenges of our time, let's remember that we're not just living for this world, but for the next one. Our call is to die to ourselves here so that we might truly live there. And in the process, we have the incredible privilege of partnering with God to bring glimpses of His kingdom to earth. So let us pray fervently, proclaim boldly, and praise continuously. For our God IS more than enough, and through Him, we have the power to move mountains and change hearts – starting with our own. ~Amen!
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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