Heaven Moves When We Praise
“With my hands lifted up, and my mouth filled with praise,
With a heart of thanksgiving, I will bless Thee, O Lord.”
This morning, I woke up with that timeless worship chorus stirring in my spirit. It wasn't just a melody—it was a message. A gentle reminder from the Lord: Praise is powerful. Praise is necessary. Praise shifts things.
In the busyness of life and the weight of our many responsibilities, it’s easy to approach prayer as a running list of requests. We ask. We plead. We intercede. And while these are vital expressions of our relationship with God, I found myself in a season where even forming those words felt heavy. The usual rhythm of prayer became difficult—too complex for the state my heart was in.
In that stillness, I felt led to simplify. To strip it all down to one sincere offering: praise. No elaborate words. No long petitions. Just a lifted hand, a whispered “thank You,” and a heart surrendered in worship. Because there’s a sacred dimension to prayer that often gets overlooked—a dimension that doesn’t ask for anything but gives everything: praise.
Praise Isn’t an Add-On—It’s a Weapon
Praise is not simply the “warm-up” before we get to the real prayer. It is the real prayer. In fact, Scripture shows us time and time again that when people began to praise God, breakthroughs followed.
In 2 Chronicles 20:21-23, King Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army, praising the Lord. It was in their praise that God set ambushes against their enemies.
In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises at midnight, and the prison doors swung open.
Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people—He literally dwells where there is praise.
Praise Shifts Our Posture
There’s something undeniably powerful about entering God’s presence with a heart of thanksgiving and a mouth filled with praise. Praise has the unique ability to shift our focus—from the weight of our problems to the greatness of our God. It lifts our gaze from what’s happening around us to Who reigns above us.
As Colossians 3:2 reminds us, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Praise positions our minds and hearts in alignment with Heaven. It’s a declaration—not of what we feel, but of who God is. Our Deliverer. Our Provider. Our Peace. Our Defender.
Even when our situation remains the same, we begin to change. Praise stirs our faith, strengthens our spirit, and rekindles our hope. In praising Him, we are reminded that the same God who parted seas and moved mountains is still working on our behalf.
A Lifestyle, Not a Moment
Praise isn’t just for Sunday mornings or moments when everything is going right—it’s a daily choice, a lifestyle, and a posture of the heart. It’s choosing to lift our hands, even when our hearts feel heavy. It’s declaring the goodness of God, even when our circumstances haven’t yet aligned with His promises.
As David declared in Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” That kind of praise is intentional. It’s faith-filled. It says, “God, I trust You even now.”
I often pray that the Lord wakes me with either a song in my spirit or a scripture on my heart. And there have been sacred moments when I’ve sensed Him whisper, “Sing to Me.” What a beautiful invitation—to offer a song when no one else is watching, to bless the Lord simply because He’s worthy. He takes great delight in our praise, and even more so when it flows from a place of deep love and surrender.
Praise Invites God In
When we praise in prayer, we’re not just “setting the atmosphere”—we’re inviting Heaven into our situation. We’re saying, “Lord, come have Your way.” And the beautiful thing is: He always responds to praise.
So today, whatever you’re facing, I encourage you to pause, lift your hands, and praise Him. Don’t wait for the answer—praise Him because He is the answer. With a heart of thanksgiving and a mouth filled with praise, bless the Lord. Watch how your spirit lifts and your perspective shifts.
Because there is power in praise.
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About the Author:
Dr. Chavonne D. Stewart is a watchman, prophetic intercessor, and worshipful warrior; she carries a profound hunger and thirst for the Holy spirit. Guided by the word of Isaiah 6:8 NIV. In addition to her ministry work Dr. Chavonne is an experienced education specialist, consultant and author, known for her transformative work in leadership training and development. She focuses on coaching authentic women leaders. Dr. Stewart's dedication to education and leadership, coupled with her passion for travel and family, embodies her as both a professional and a role model and mentor for women.