The problem of a great, living faith, a faith without doubt, is a very real one. There are many, even among those who frequent the sacraments, who live disciplined lives of prayer and intercession, yet find their faith not strong, but uncertain, weak and often mixed with doubt. This is not an occasional problem. Great segments of the Christian world are puzzled by this plague. It is important for Christians to learn to overcome this difficulty... and it is possible to do so.
We have had much teaching in the Church on prayer. Even today books are being printed at a phenomenal rate. But, and this is strange, even in the Charismatic Renewal, there has been very little written about praise. Much that has been written is more an exhortation to praise, rather than an explanation of why it is important. Yet, if we study the Bible, we find that there is far more emphasis on praise than on prayer.
From the Scriptures we find that the entire universe, both animate and inanimate, is seen as engaged in one great chorus of praise to the Creator. There are so many places in which we can verify this that we are almost overwhelmed. So many of the Psalms are filled with praise that we almost take it for granted that to read the Psalms with attention is to be engaged in the praise of God. Let all your works give thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you (Ps. 145:10).
Going to the last book of the Scriptures, we are again confronted with praise: Day and night, without pause sing: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, He Who was and Who is, and Who is to come! Whenever these creatures give glory and honor and praise to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever (Rv. 4:8b-11).
Although it is not true of her liturgy, for some reason until the Renewal burst upon the Church, many Catholics underestimated the importance of praise. Many felt that praise had very little practical value. But, if praise is the highest occupation of angels, there must be some valid reason for it. If the highest function of the angelic hosts is praise, it follows logically that the highest function of the human spirit must also be praise. To draw closer to God is the most sublime goal of all creatures. This is the summa bonum, the highest good, the greatest joy, the most exquisite delight, the most ravishing transport of the human spirit.
Just as antagonism, cursing and hostility against God strengthens all that is most abominable, diabolical and base in the human spirit, so worship and praise of the infinite God exercises, reinforces and strengthens all that is most sublime, transcendent and divine in the inner being.
As one praises and worships, he is transformed step-by-step from glory-to-glory, into the image of the infinately joyous God. And the process can continue eternally. Therefore, praise is the most useful occupation and activity in enabling God to realize the supreme goal of the universe, that of bringing many sons to glory. There are so many values from praise, even in a practical way, that we could not even begin to enumerate them. One or two samples will help us to see what is meant.
First, the worship and praise of God demands a shift of center from self to God. This itself is therapeautic. Praise produces forgetfuness of self and forgetfulness of self brings health. When a Spirit-filled Christian turns from depression to God in worship and praise, a healing process begins. One simply cannot praise God and sulk. Praise and irritation cannot coexist.
Secondly, for some reason, Satan fears praise even more than prayer. We have seen that God dwells in an aura, an atmosphere, of praise. The cherubim surround his throne and do not rest night and day as they sing their Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty. Praise and Gods presence, then, have a very special affinity. God is, of course, present everywhere; but not always in the same way. Wherever there is joyful praise, He is dynamically and lovingly present. This means that wherever there is adoration, reverence and acceptable worship and praise, there God identifies himself and openly manifests his presence and this is most importanthis presence always expels Satan. Satan simply cannot operate in this setting. Somone has explained this by saying that Satan is allergic to praise. So where there is great triumphant praise, Satan is overcome, confused and banished.
To answer, then, the problem of weak faith, to learn the secret of triumphant faith, we find praise! It brings the Divine Presence and therefore shields us from Satanic attack. It is the most devastating weapon in conflict with him. Even in the problems of our daily prayer, praise assures us victory because it overcomes Satan, the antagonist of prayer.
How are we to praise? To be most effective, praise must be great, continuous, a fixed habit, a lifetime occupation, a vocation, a total way of life. In Psalm 57:8-12 we read: My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and chant praise. Awake, O my soul; awake lyre and harp. I will wake the dawn. I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O Lord. I will chant your praise among the nations, for your kindness towers to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the skies. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; above all the earth be your glory.
Here steadfast has a special importance. It means that praise is not just used when we are filled with joy, but always.
Praise is not always easy, for it does not always come spontaneously. There is no problem to praise in prosperity. It is not difficult to praise when circumstances are favorable. It is natural to praise for good things. It is normal to be thankful and rejoice in success, prosperity, good heath and fame. But St. Paul tells us to Give thanks to the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:20). This, therefore, must include things that are painful, humiliating and even disastrous.
About three years ago, a woman came to tell me about her daughter who was on drugs, alcohol and involved in prostitution. The mother had done everything she could think of. I suggested, Have you the faith to give your daughter to Jesus? She asked, What do you mean? Once youve given her to Him, you are going to let Him take charge always. So, if she continues with these things, you have to sincerely thank the Lord for their happening. The mother did decide to give her daughter to Jesus. Shortly after that the girl came home on drugs and alcholol. So, the mother put the daughter to bed, went into her room, got down on her knees, and thanked the Lord for the condition her daughter was in. She pointed out that the daughter belonged to Him; that she didnt know what He was doing; but that she trusted Him.
This kept on for awhile and then there was a complete change in her daughter. The mother and daughter came to me about six months later, and the healing had been complete. I asked the daughter what had happened. She said that the first night when her mother didnt complain and wasnt in tears startled her. She tried it again, with the same results. And finally, since she was received at home with love, she wanted to know how her mother was able to do it. When she found out how, she wanted to have whatever her mother had. So they went to a prayer meeting. The daughter is now baptized in the Spirit and very active in the Renewal.
The inspiration for praise is the character and integrity of God himselfnot our feelings.
How can we offer this kind of praise? Hebrews 13:15 gives us the key: Through him let us continually offer God a sacrafice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which acknowledge his name.
What is meant by a sacrifice of praise? A sacrifice calls for death. In the Old Testament and animal was killed. But in the sacrifice of praise: it is the personal ego which must die. One must sacrifice his own judgement, his own opinion, his own evaluation of what is right and good, and praise God for all things including what we think good, bad or indifferent.
The fruit of the lips expresses the fact that the sacrifice of praise is incomplete unless it is expressed.
Let me sum up. The secret of faith without doubt is praisecontinuous, great, triumphant praise which becomes a way of life. This order of praise is the solution to the problem of living faith and succesful prayer. The Holy Spirit is, through the Renewal, calling us to a life of praise. Through praise (and only praise of God) the whole world will be renewed. We must continue ceaselessly to live a life of praise to the Glory of God. V
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