“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 tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150

The Bible is replete with “Praise God” references from Moses (see Exodus 15) to David (see 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 and Psalms 144-150) to Paul (see Ephesians 1:3) to John (see Revelation 5).  Why? Why is praising God such a big deal?

When We Praise God, We Prepare Our Hearts for Prayer

When we praise God, we draw closer to Him and open the channels for Him to draw even closer to us.

By lifting our minds, hearts, and voices upward, we become more attune to God’s mind, heart, and voice within us and around us.

King David, who devoted his life to serving his Sovereign Lord, respectfully addressed God as the One who inhabits the praise of His people:

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3

Before battle, before every divinely inspired action, King David prayed.

Before he prayed, King David praised.

By praising God with hearts full of gratitude and thanksgiving, we prepare our hearts and souls for prayer.

“Praise with the heart is far more vital and effectual than praise with the head or praise from the lips. Praise does not flatter nor influence God as it does some humans who are turned by superficial praise and applause. Praise is not intended for God. It is intended only for man and is an aid to enable man to lift himself upwards to become attuned with the Law [of God]. It raises his state of consciousness that he may become more receptive to the good about him and lifts him above the lack of it. Praise raises man’s vibration, speeds up his activity, stimulates his faith, and contacts a higher realm of thought.” ~ Ray Holliwell, Working With The Law (Chapter on the Law of Increase)

When We Praise God, We Change Our Attitudes

If we long to strengthen our faith and increase our confidence…

If we want to expect good outcomes even during times of adversity…

Then–like King David–we need to develop the habit of praising God.

Through Praise and Prayer, we clothe ourselves in God’s attributes, grace, and protection. So clothed, we can adjust our attitude to be able to receive the good God has in store for us.

When We Praise God, We Change Lives

“Praise is a stimulant of the mind. It quickens prayer. It magnetizes all the good around you. It transforms that good into usable, visible substance. If you want black do you ask for white? If you ask for fish, do you expect a serpent? If you ask for bread, do you expect a stone? You can only get what you expect, for the unchanging Law [of God] is ever working to supply you. … Praise God that good is everywhere!~” ~Ray Holliwell, Working With the Law (Chapter on the Law of Increase)

We praise in earnest. We pray with expectation. We receive in abundance.

And Jesus said:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:7-12

We praise. We believe. We ask. We receive.

With God’s help, we have the Power to change our own lives as well as the lives of others.

What does this have to do with business? Everything!

Each and every day as entrepreneurs we need to:

• Praise God.
• Believe God.
• Ask God.
• Receive from God.

So let’s praise God and let the blessings flow!

How has praising God influenced your life and business? Please share your comments below.

Photo by Flickr (Wootang01)