A Radical Prayer-Praise Connection

Finally, I am grasping a little more of Jesus through the spiritual eye of the prayer-praise connection.

Photograph by Dwayne Southwood

While on a road-trip to a wedding in Missouri I was reading, the “The Circle Maker,” by Mark Batterson, to my family. I was radically shaken by a thought: What if we prayed in praise?

Growing up in a family and around spiritually equip Jesus lovers, I’ve always heard “pray until something happens.” But, what would happen if we prayed via praise until something happened? 

Isn't praising God for something we know He has already figured out, transformed or won the essence and base of faith itself? In Hebrews 11:1 it speaks of faith as believing in what you cannot see. Human eyes can fog our ability to see the spiritual realm of Gods great devotion to us. When the realm is foggy, praise. Pray in complete thankfulness and awe that you know He will answer. In such a humble matter that it comes out as earnest praise. We praise though we cannot see. God rewards because He can see. Now that is radical.

       “The Circle Maker,” is based on praying circles around your biggest dreams and greatest fears. Prayer truly changes everything. I encourage everyone to seek out their biggest dreams and greatest fears. Dreams add joy and faith to our lives, but fear hinders joy and faith. It is time to seek out impossible dreams and discard hindering fears. 

       Start the circle journey by praying fervently around them, drench them in the tears, joy, praise, passion and thankfulness of your heart. Set aside time to make these your primary priority. It can be your dream, the dream of your loved ones or a friend. 

       I encourage you to journal your thoughts, prayers and growth during this time. It is humbling to see the finish after reading the beginning. Also, it is a great place to return to when the devil snatches at your spiritual fire. Believe me, the devil will try to drain your faithfulness, but your God has already beat the devil. Praise God for the war already won--the devil know he's going to lose.

There is never a bad time to fall to your knees. There is never a bad time to call all angels. There is never a bad time to ask Jesus to intercede on your behalf. There is never a bad time to place all your heart, all your soul, all your fears and all your dreams at the feet of a powerful heavenly Father.

There is always time for more Jesus. 

There is always time for more prayer. 

There is always time for more praise. 

There is always time for more transformation. 

There is always time for one more hallelujahs. 

There is always time for complete joy in Jesus. 

There is always time for a shattered heart to be made new. 

There is always time to meet with Jesus, but the question is, do we overlook the importance of meeting with Him daily? And not just daily, but continually all day.

Yes, I believe you can meet with Jesus 365.5 days a year and 24 hours a day. Jesus will meet you where you are at. You are at work, He’ll meet you there. You are fixing supper, He’ll meet you there. You are sleeping, He’ll meet you in your dreams. How much do you want to see His face, feel His love and help Him transform your life and the world you live in? Where are you? Close your eyes, open your heart--He's right here, right now. Stop, and take time to meet with Him and be in His presence here and now. 

How was your time with Jesus? There is nothing that can beat real, raw and radical time with Jesus. This can be your daily reality.

I’m calling all spiritual soldiers. Let us be the generation, be the people and the church that transforms a world with prayers of praises. Let us praise in action. Let us act in love. Let us love in Jesus and allowing Him to move and sweep over this land.

Yahweh, thank you for the people praying circles. Thank You for all prayers of praise. Thank You for all unanswered prayers. Thank You for continuing to move in a nation and world that have turned their backs on You. Thank You for the spiritual soldiers conquering the world with Your love. Your name is a sweet hallelujah and my hands are lifted high. I praise You for the protection You are putting around each spiritual soldier. I praise You for those who inspire us to seek after Your heart. I praise You for the reality of our biggest dreams and the conquering of our greatest fears. Your love is incomprehensible, but we desire to keep trying to comprehend the incomprehensible. Your name, Your love and Your greatness forever and ever, amen.

Check out, “Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven,” by Graham Kendrick. It is a wonderful song to develop an atmosphere of praise.