The power of praise and worship in spiritual warfare

Why are you always afraid of spiritual battles, when you can just burst into praise and gain the power to overcome? Many of us get scared and anxious at the thought of fighting spiritual battles. We view it as something that is far beyond our strength and ability. But are you aware that we are always in battle with the forces of evil in the spiritual realms? The devil is constantly attacking the people of God.

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) – “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Amid the battles and forces of evil that surround us in the heavenly realms, you possess a mighty weapon at your disposal. This powerful weapon is called praise. Praise is not merely an act of gratitude or worship. It is a powerful tool that you can use to fight against the enemy. Praise can be your armor and your source of victory in spiritual warfare.

But what do we mean when we talk of spiritual battles and forces of evil in the heavenly realms?

What Are Spiritual Battles?

To grasp the significance of praise in spiritual warfare, we must first understand the reality of the unseen battles that rage around us. Spiritual battles come in different forms. They may come through sicknesses and illnesses. Forces of evil in the heavenly realms can cause lack, suffering and many other things that steal our peace and joy. Spiritual warfare is the work of the devil against the plan of God for humanity. Anything working negatively in your life or against the plan of God for your life is a spiritual battle.

John 10:10 (NKJV) says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

The devil comes to disrupt the original plan of God, to destroy what God has developed in you, and to plant things that will make you suffer. However, this should not worry you because God has given you the ability to fight against the devil and overcome him.

Luke 10:19 (NKJV) – “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

God has given us the power and authority to fight, and not just to fight but to fight and win. However, our strength is not found in our own abilities; it lies in our connection with God, and praise serves as a channel for this divine power. You can unleash the power in praise and emerge victorious against the attacks of the enemy.         

Praise as a Weapon in Spiritual Warfare

       i.The Fall of the Mighty Wall of Jericho  

The story of the Battle of Jericho in Joshua 6 serves as a powerful illustration of the effectiveness of praise in warfare. God instructed the Israelites to march around the city walls for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to shout and praise the Lord. As they praised, the walls of Jericho crumbled, and they won the battle. The walls that seemed impenetrable were brought down by the power of praise.

The wall of Jericho is symbolic; it has been used to represent the setbacks and barriers in our own lives. Enemies have raised walls along our paths of success. These walls prevent our movement and growth. They prevent us from moving to the place that God destined for us. Remember, the Israelites were on their way to Canaan, a land God had promised them through their forefathers. The wall of Jericho was raised to prevent them from moving forward to the place God wanted them to be.

Joshua 6:1 (NKJV) – “Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.”

This is exactly what our spiritual enemies do to us. They raise stumbling blocks along our paths to prevent our progress and movement towards our destiny. However, we should not allow them to win this battle. We have a powerful weapon that brings down such barriers and stumbling blocks. The power in praise can bring them down like it did with the wall of Jericho.

What barrier is preventing you from experiencing joy, success, and peace? Go before the Lord today and praise! Watch the barriers stumbling down before your face as you worship the Lord in His majesty.      

     ii. The Breaking of Prison Doors and Loosening of Chains

Paul and Silas were imprisoned for their faith in God. In the darkest hour of the night, they chose to praise God. And as they worshiped and sang hymns, an earthquake shook the prison, broke their chains and opened the prison doors. Their praise not only brought personal liberation but also impacted the lives of others around them.

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”

The fact that Paul and Silas were in prison did not prevent them from singing praises to God. They praised God in their captive states. The power in the praises of these two men loosened the chains that tied every prisoner.

Do you feel like you are in any kind of bondage or captivity? Is there any chain trying you to hold you down? These could be chains of generational curses, problems and diseases. They could be chains of stagnation and misfortunes. Whatever they are, I want to remind you that you have the power within you to fight and free yourself. Stand up in praise; sing to the Lord, and praise His goodness and faithfulness. Your praises will break down all the chains that are tying you.   

  iii.King Jehoshaphat in Battle Against Ammon and Moab: Confusion Amongst Spiritual Enemies

Praise can cause confusion among your spiritual enemies and make them turn against one another. King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced a formidable enemy alliance composed of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Mount Seir. Jehoshaphat placed singers at the head of the army, who praised God as they marched forward.

2 Chronicles 20:22 (NKJV) – “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”

Praise became their weapon; they declared their trust in God and challenged the forces of darkness. The enemy was filled with confusion, and this resulted in their self-destruction.

When we lift our voices in praise, the enemy’s strategies are thrown into disarray. Praise disorients the forces of darkness, causes them to turn against one another, and leads to their defeat.

Like King Jehoshaphat, we should remember to praise God even in the midst of trials. When faced with overwhelming odds, choose to lift your voice in praise instead of succumbing to fear or despair. Praise redirects your focus from the size of the problem to the greatness of God.

These three biblical accounts demonstrate that praise is not merely a response to victory but a strategy for achieving it. When you offer sincere praise to God, your focus will shift to the greatness and faithfulness of God, and supernatural breakthroughs will occur.

In Psalms 22:3, we are told that God inhabits the praises of His people. When we offer heartfelt praise, we invite the presence of God into our lives and situations. The enemy cannot withstand the glory and power that accompany the manifest presence of the Almighty.

Praise has the ability to shift the spiritual atmosphere around us. As we lift our voices in worship, darkness is dispelled, and light prevails. Just as Saul was delivered from tormenting spirits when David played his harp (1 Samuel 16:23), we too can experience deliverance and freedom as we praise.

Praise should not be limited to Sundays or special occasions. Make it a daily habit to offer thanks and praise to God for His goodness, mercy, and grace. Develop a grateful heart that acknowledges God’s presence in all circumstances. Sing songs of praise, read Psalms aloud, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to your heart. In worship, let your spirit connect with the Spirit of God, and experience the power of His presence.

Conclusively, keep in mind that the power of praise in spiritual warfare cannot be overstated. It is a formidable weapon that brings down strongholds, invites the presence of God, and releases breakthroughs in the heavenly realms. As we cultivate a lifestyle of praise, we position ourselves for victory.

Let us embrace the power of praise and watch as the forces of darkness are defeated!