Psalms 30:3-12
“You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.” You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
INSIGHT
-Part of the reason why we were created is to praise God. Praising God should always be of prime importance in each one of our lives. David knew this fact and when he was confronted by death, he pleaded for his life saying “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?” With these truths, David pleaded for his life with a valid reason to continue living, so that he may continue praising God. In Psalms 22:2-3, David cried to God in the daytime, but He did not hear him; in the night season he was not silent. But he knew that God is holy and is enthroned in the praises of Israel. We also know that we neither lives for ourselves nor die for ourselves. But if we live; we live for the Lord and if we die; we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die; we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living (Romans 14:7-9). Praise should therefore form the best part of our lives for it cast out fear as we rely on God’s faithfulness. When we are facing favourable and challenging times in our lives, we should always remember that God is enthroned in our praises and He will hear us and deliver us from all our troubles.
PRAYER
We give unto You LORD glory and strength. We give unto You glory due to Your name. We worship You LORD in the beauty of Your holiness. Only You are worthy of our praises and glory. Only You are God and we will praise You forever. Thank You Jesus for when we are confronted by death, Your blood speaks better things than that of Abel. When we are faced by infirmity and lack, Your blood speaks better things than that of Abel. When are confronted by trials and temptations, Your blood speaks better things than that of Abel. Cross of Jesus reign over the nation of Kenya and cover us with Your precious blood Jesus. We thank You Jesus and glorify Your holy name; for You are good and Your mercies endures forever. Thank You for You made us see this beautiful day in good health, we rejoice and glad in it. Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning, all glory belongs to You Lord. Your anger lasts only a moment, but Your favor lasts a lifetime, all honor and praise belongs to You Father. We humbly ask You to heal all those who are sick in hospitals and at home, and especially those who are battling with corona virus, heal them all and deliver them merciful Savior; for by Your stripes we were healed. Remember Oh Lord all those who have lost their loved ones that You may settle their hearts with Your eternal peace. Nothing can separate us from Your love Jesus, thank You for loving us. You died and resurrected for our sake, we belong to You Jesus whether we are dead or alive, thank You for Your merciful love upon us. We shall not die but live to declare Your faithfulness Oh Lord. Protect us, our families, nation and the whole world from corona virus and other threats and heal all our wounds. You have turned our wailing into dancing; you have removed our sackcloth and clothed us with joy, that our hearts may sing Your praises and not be silent. Thank You Lord for You have favored us, You have made our royal mountains stand firm. Lord our God we will praise you forever. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house Lord, forever. Amen
Acts 16:25-26
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”
INSIGHT
-Like King David, Paul and Silas knew the secret of obtaining victory amid challenges. When they were battered and thrown to prison after delivering the young girl from the spirit of divination, they did not loose hope but trusted in God. At midnight while in prison, they prayed and praised God, and He delivered them from the hands of the jailer; who later received salvation with his household. Like Paul and Silas, we are reminded to praise God despite the adverse situations that combat us. To give thanks to God for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is our ever present help in times of need. Jesus has power over all challenges and when we call on His name, He will break every chain in our lives, nation and the entire world, according to His purpose.
PRAYER
We praise You LORD and give thanks to You, for You are good and Your mercy endures forever. Saviour You are merciful and Your mercy is everlasting. Father You are loving and Your love is unending. Holy Spirit You are faithful and Your faithfulness endures to all generations. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy but You have come Lord so that we may life and life in abundance. Deliver us Jesus from corona virus and give our families, businesses, jobs, societies, churches, economy and entire world new life in You. Give us all the gift of salvation; we humbly ask You. May Your cross Jesus reign over our nation and all the nations of the earth for the glory of Your name. Lord You are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, have mercy on us and on the whole world. We bless Your name Lord for Your love for us can never fail. Blessed be Your glorious name Jesus, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. To the end of the world Jesus, may Your glory be known for it can never be silenced. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Hebrews 13:15-16
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
INSIGHT
-Offering praises to God should continually be on our lips. Praising God is a form of sacrifice that produces a sweet and pleasing aroma to Him. When we offer praises to God on a daily basis; we glorify His name for our own wellbeing. The last chapter and verse of Psalms reminds each of us of the importance of offering praises to God saying “let everything that has breath praise the LORD” (Psalm 150:6). We are all called to glorify God and come closer to Him when He can be found. The fruit of our lips also evidences our salvation and that evidence is that we acknowledge His name, not only in praise and worship but to those who don’t yet know Him. As a form of pure sacrifice of love to God is to share what we have and do good always for such sacrifices please God. Currently we “The love of Christ foundation” have journeyed in this endeavour to provide food daily to at-least sixty street children who are struggling especially during these difficult times of COVID 19, with a long term vision of providing more sustainable solutions for them. You can feel free to partner with us as we glorify the Lord together with our sacrifices to the poor and less fortunate in our society. By so doing we store up our treasures in heaven where there is no moth nor rust and thieves cannot steal. In Matthew 25:40 we read that “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”.
PRAYER
Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. We praise You Lord with the fruit of our lips and openly profess Your name. We praise You Lord with our open hearts and focus our minds on You alone. For You alone are worthy of our praises, You alone are worthy of honor and blessings. Forgive us our sins Jesus and cover us with Your precious blood. Like You visited Cornelius who prayed earnestly and gave alms, and granted him his request Lord, remember us Father and grant each member of our families the gift of salvation; that transcends from everlasting to everlasting. Our Father who at in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever & ever. Amen
Revelation 5:8-13
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
INSIGHT
-A glimpse of heavenly praise has been revealed to us where the four living creatures, twenty four elders and angels in great number glorify God. Only God is Holy and worthy of praise in heaven and on all the earth. As the Psalmist says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Ps 150:6), all the creatures in heaven and on earth praise God saying, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” God is seated upon His throne and praises enthrone Him. The four living creatures who protect the presence of the Lord and the twenty four elders present our prayers unto the Lamb. They accompany our prayers with praise and adoration which is displayed in form of incense. God calls us to draw near to Him with praise and purity of heart and mind, and He will draw near to us.
PRAYER
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals Lord for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. Thank You Lord for Your blessings upon our lives that You have made us kings and priests so that we may rule on earth. Thank You for giving us power and authority to trample over snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the powers of the enemy that nothing will ever harm us. We have overcome the evil one by the word of our testimony and Your blood Jesus for You were slain and You have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation. Thank You Jesus praise You Jesus. We declare that no weapon fashioned against us shall prosper and no tongue that speaks judgement against us shall prevail in Your name Jesus; for You won victory for us. We are more than conquerors for we are in You Jesus. Corona virus will not harm us Jesus for You are always in us and with us. As Your cross Jesus reigns in the nation of Kenya and the nations of the world; we shall overcome. Thank You Jesus for this far that You have brought us, we praise You always and glorify Your holy name. Thank You for protecting us, sustaining us, providing for us, encouraging us and giving us hope Jesus, for You are always in us and with us. Cleanse our hearts and minds from all evil, and lead us in the way we should go Holy Spirit. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You are worthy Lord for You were slain to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. Thank You Jesus praise You Jesus. Many patients have recovered from corona virus and will continue to recover because You live Lord. In Your name Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that You are our Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Blessings, honor, glory and power be to You our God Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen
Revelation 5:8-13
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
INSIGHT
-A glimpse of heavenly praise has been revealed to us where the four living creatures, twenty four elders and angels in great number glorify God. Only God is Holy and worthy of praise in heaven and on all the earth. As the Psalmist says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Ps 150:6), all the creatures in heaven and on earth praise God saying, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” God is seated upon His throne and praises enthrone Him. The four living creatures who protect the presence of the Lord and the twenty four elders present our prayers unto the Lamb. They accompany our prayers with praise and adoration which is displayed in form of incense. God calls us to draw near to Him with praise and purity of heart and mind, and He will draw near to us.
PRAYER
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals Lord for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. Thank You Lord for Your blessings upon our lives that You have made us kings and priests so that we may rule on earth. Thank You for giving us power and authority to trample over snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the powers of the enemy that nothing will ever harm us. We have overcome the evil one by the word of our testimony and Your blood Jesus for You were slain and You have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation. Thank You Jesus praise You Jesus. We declare that no weapon fashioned against us shall prosper and no tongue that speaks judgement against us shall prevail in Your name Jesus; for You won victory for us. We are more than conquerors for we are in You Jesus. Corona virus will not harm us Jesus for You are always in us and with us. As Your cross Jesus reigns in the nation of Kenya and the nations of the world; we shall overcome. Thank You Jesus for this far that You have brought us, we praise You always and glorify Your holy name. Thank You for protecting us, sustaining us, providing for us, encouraging us and giving us hope Jesus, for You are always in us and with us. Cleanse our hearts and minds from all evil, and lead us in the way we should go Holy Spirit. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You are worthy Lord for You were slain to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. Thank You Jesus praise You Jesus. Many patients have recovered from corona virus and will continue to recover because You live Lord. In Your name Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that You are our Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Blessings, honor, glory and power be to You our God Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever. Amen
John 4:23-24
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
INSIGHT
-God is Spirit and we should worship Him in Spirit and in truth. We are spirit beings in a body and we are called to walk by the Spirit, and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). To worship in Spirit is to be led by the Holy Spirit and to praise in truth through the guidance of the word of God. The Holy Spirit becomes living water within us we who believe in Jesus Christ (John 7:37-38). When we worship and praise God, we get close to Him and especially during this time when churches are closed and we are at home most of the time. As we maintain social distance, we should make sure we reconnect with God as He says, “come near to Me and I will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). We should come near to God with humility of heart through repentance, praising and praying to Him and He will answer us according to His will.
SUMMARY
Praise forms part of our fundamental beings as Christians. We should give thanks to God always for this is His will for us through Jesus Christ. David frequently praised God and when he was confronted by death, he requested God not to take his life; for the dead cannot praise Him. Paul and Silas also praised God despite the challenges they were facing and the Lord delivered them. Through praise and worship their hearts were raised into the joyous presence and peace of God, and this provided God a channel for His power to operate in their circumstances. This is what happens when we praise God, His power is manifested in our lives. Praises casts out fear in us and gives us hope and confidence in Christ. Praise to God should continually be on our lips and when we share with others what God has given us, such sacrifices please God. Praise to God should also come from deep within us as the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Praise is evident in heaven as a multitude of angels, twenty four elders and four living creatures praising God always. The Lord commands us saying “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”. We are also reminded to rejoice in the Lord always and giving praises to Him only for He is deserving.
PRAYER
Lord You are our Strength and our Shield, whom shall we be afraid. Lord You are our Fortress and Deliverer we put all our trust in You. Praise be to You Lord, God of our father Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord is the greatness and the power, glory, majesty and splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, Lord is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You, You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name forever. Grant us peaceful long lives full of good health and prosper us even as our souls prosper. Heal us Oh Lord and we will be healed, save us Lord and we will be saved for You are the One we praise. Be with our families and friends including those in foreign nations; that You may protect them and cover them with Your precious blood. Forgive us all our sins merciful Father and lead us in the way that we should go. Instill in us Your fear and love Holy Spirit that we may get closer to You and lead us in prayer and praise always. Give us solutions Lord in all areas of our economy and enlighten our paths through Your divine wisdom. Shepherd us Jesus in our divine purposes and may Your cross reign in our nation and all over the world. Only You are worthy of our worship and praise, we lift You name high. Yours Lord is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen