THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP

THE IMPORTANCE AND POWER OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP BY ISRAEL KASHIM AUDU



 Praise is characterized as the act of magnifying and honoring God for who He is and the act of exalting God's great name.  It also includes thanking God for his many kindesses. Worship is characterized as a more intimate form of praise where believers seek to personlize their expression of God's worth to them and others. All Christians should make a practice of taking time to honor God for his goodness. David, known in the Bible as a man after God's own heart, incorporated this practice into His life.  As believers seeking to please God, we should do the same.

Why is Praise and Worship Important?

Praise and worship is important primarily because the Bible commands it.  In psalms for example, believers are repeatedly encouraged to praise and magnify the Lord.  We even see in the book of Revelations where angels and other heavenly beings worship and honor God in heaven.  While biblical commandment serves as our primary reason for the praise and worship of our heavenly Father, the following highlights several others:

God is deserving

There is no other being more deserving of praise.  God is our creator, provider, sustainer, and savior.  Without Him nothing or no one would exist. He is also the possessor of all wisdom and knowledge and the source of all that is good and perfect.

We should say thank you

Most people consider it polite to show appreciation to those who give them a gift, perform a kind gesture, or pay them a compliment. How much more shold we thank our heavenly Father who has given us life, breathe, the opportunity to spend eternity with Him, and many other kindnesses.

Praise invites God into our situation

The Bible tells us that God abides in the praises of His people.  When we magnify God, we invite His presence into our lives.

Praise and worship honors God's presence

It honors God's greatness when we are able to magnify God and focus on his goodness in spite of our personal challenges.  Through this practice, we testify that God is greater than all.

How We Should Praise and Worship

An organized form of praise and worship is important and should be cherished for what an awesome show of appreciation to the Father when believers collectively acknowledge Him for His goodness and give thanks, but our expression of praise and worship should not stop there.

Praise and worship should also be extended to private times between just you and God.  Living a daily lifestyle in keeping with God's commandments is also a form of praise and worship.

Physical manifestations of praise might include singing, dancing, the raising of hands, bowing, the playing of instruments and other forms.

All forms of praise and worship are pleasing to God when done with the proper intent and attitude.

The Results of Praise and Worship

Although our primary purpose for praising and worshipping God should be because He is worthy, there are often kindnesses bestowed upon those who participate in this expression of love. Some of these include the following:

- More intimate connection with God
- Victory in battle as when the Israelites marched around the wall of Jericho.  Praisers often preceded the army in Old Testament battles.
- Stress relief as we focus on the greatness of God versus personal challenges
- Believers experience the presence of God which may result in limitless favor (Encouragement, healing, deliverance, peace, joy, provision, etc.)
- Fulfillment of personal desires


Again, the most important reasons to praise God include the fact that He is worthy and that God takes pleasure in our praise.
What a priviledge to be able to share love with the greatest Being in all of existence who has showered so much love upon us.

Praise Elevates us into God’s Presence and Power
Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above their troubles and enter into God’s presence and power. Through praise and worship their hearts were raised into the joyous presence and peace of God, and provided God a channel for his power to operate in their circumstances.


The Bible says that God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). In other words, God “dwells” in the atmosphere of His praise. This means that praise is more than a reaction of coming into His presence... praise to God is a vehicle of faith which takes us into His presence and power! Praise and worship is the “gate-pass” which allows us to enter the sacredness of His glory. The psalmist writes, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalms 100:4).

This corresponds with Jesus’ teaching, that His presence will inhabit the gathering of believers who congregate in His name: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). A “gathering in His name” means that Jesus must be the focus, the center of the assemblage. He must be the one preached about, sung about — the one praised and worshiped. “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” (Hebrews 2:12). Consequently, Christ’s presence, along with His virtue and anointing, is manifested in this type of gathering.

Have you ever noticed when “gifts of the Spirit” operate in a church service? The power and anointing of the Holy Spirit usually becomes evident, subsequent to a time of worship and praise. Some think that worship is a response after the Holy Spirit moves upon them. However, it’s the other way around. God’s presence responds when we move upon Him with worship! Lifting up Jesus Christ through praise and worship invokes the Lord’s presence and power to flow in our midst.

What is Praise?
Praise means “to commend, to applaud or magnify.” For the Christian, praise to God is an expression of worship, lifting-up and glorifying the Lord. It is an expression of humbling ourselves and centering our attention upon the Lord with heart-felt expressions of love, adoration and thanksgiving. High praises bring our spirit into a pinnacle of fellowship and intimacy between ourselves and God — it magnifies our awareness of our spiritual union with the most high God. Praise transports us into the realm of the supernatural and into the power of God. “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance” (Psalms 89:15).

There are many actions involved with praise to God — verbal expressions of adoration and thanksgiving, singing, playing instruments, shouting, dancing, lifting or clapping our hands. But true praise is not “merely” going through these motions. Jesus spoke about the hypocrisy of the pharisees, whose worship was only an outward show and not from the heart. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). Genuine praise to God is a matter of humility and sincere devotion to the Lord from within.

Unpretentious praise and worship pleases the Lord. He delights in the love and devotion of His children. According to the scriptures, the various expressions of praise bring blessing to the Lord. He eagerly awaits the fragrance of our affections, desiring to manifest His sweet presence and power in our midst. “...the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23).

Praise to God is a Lifestyle

All too often, praise to God is something that many people leave at church, an event that happens only when they come together with other Christians. However, praise should be a part of a believers lifestyle, inter-mingled as a part of their daily prayer-life. At work, in the car, at home in bed, or anywhere; praise to the Lord brings the refreshing of the Lord’s presence, along with His power and anointing. “...I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalms 34:1).

Praise is an expression of faith, and a declaration of victory! It declares that we believe God is with us and is in control of the outcome of all our circumstances (Romans 8:28). Praise is a “sacrifice,” something that we offer to God sacrificially, not just because we feel like it, but because we believe in Him and wish to please Him. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Praise Sends the Enemy Running
Since praise manifests God’s presence, we also realize that praise repels the presence of the enemy, Satan. An atmosphere which is filled with sincere worship and praise to God by humble and contrite hearts is disgusting to the Devil. He fears the power in the name of Jesus, and flees from the Lord’s habitation in praise. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God” (Psalms 50:23).

When the children of Judah found themselves outnumbered by the hostile armies of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, King Jehoshophat and all the people sought the Lord for His help. The Lord assured the people that this would be His battle. He told them to go out against them, and He would do the fighting for them. So what did the children of Judah do? Being the people of “praise” (Judah actually means Praise), and knowing that God manifests His power through praise, they sent their army against their enemies, led by the praisers!

So on they went, ahead of the army declaring, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever!” And the scripture says, “...when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten” (2 Chronicles 20:22).

When God’s people begin to praise His name, it sends the enemy running! I challenge you to become a person of praise, and you will experience the release of the power of God!

Some Biblical Expressions of Praise
Declaring of thanks (Heb. 13:15)
Clapping hands and shouting (Psalms 47:1)
Musical instruments and dancing (Psm. 150:4)
Singing praise songs (Psalms 9:11)
Psalms, hymns, & spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19-20)
Making a joyful noise (Psalms 98:4)
By lifting our hands (Psalms 134:2)
By being still (Psalms 4:3-5, 46:10)
By being loud (Psalms 33:3, 95:1-6)

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FATHER'S DAY BY ISRAEL KASHIM AUDU

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FATHER'S DAY BY ISRAEL KASHIM AUDU


Alot of people think we don't celebrate father's day or acknowledge father's day like mother's day celebration. Third Sunday of June is celebrated as Father’s Day in most parts of the world. Father’s Day is a celebration of fathers, honouring fatherhood, paternal bonds and the role fathers play in society. This day was first proposed in 1909 to complement Mother’s Day celebrations.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

As we celebrate father's day 21st of June 2020 for the Christians and Catholics please always remember your priest in prayers who are also called Rev. Fathers that the Lord will continue to give them the grace to carry on with God's work and the ministry.

Significance of father's day.

On this day children acknowledge and appreciate their fathers and father figures, who play an important role in their lives, be it emotionally, mentally or even financially. On this day children understand the importance of the role of a father in one’s life. This day acknowledges the contribution of fathers to their own families and society at large. Children buy or make presents for their father or father-like figure, write and draw cards, spend the day engaging in activities that can be enjoyed with one’s father, be it hiking, fishing or just sitting around watching some television. In India especially, most kids have a closer bond with their mothers, so this day definitely helps forge a closer relation with one’s dad.

While India follows the US, and celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June every year, in other countries including Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19. And even though this is a Western tradition started in the United States of America, it has gained a lot of prominence in India in the past many years.

History



The day was founded in USA, where it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, at the Spokane, Washington YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd. That year, Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910. Sonora heard about how Anna Jarvis had founded Mother’s Day in honour of her mother and told the pastor of her Church that there should be something similar to celebrate fathers too. Sonora’s father was Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, a single parent from Arkansas who raised six children. Sonora was hoping that Father’s Day celebrations would be held on June 5, which was her father’s birthday, but the Church’s time constraints ended up pushing this day and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.

Anyone can father a child, but being a dad takes a lifetime. Fathers play a role in every child’s life that cannot be filled by others. This role can have a large impact on a child and help shape him or her into the person they become.

Fathers and Emotional Development
Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being. Children look to their fathers to lay down the rules and enforce them. They also look to their fathers to provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional. Children want to make their fathers proud, and an involved father promotes inner growth and strength. Studies have shown that when fathers are affectionate and supportive, it greatly affects a child’s cognitive and social development. It also instills an overall sense of well-being and self confidence.

Fathers Set the Bar for Relationships with Others
Fathers not only influence who we are inside, but how we have relationships with people as we grow. The way a father treats his child will influence what he or she looks for in other people. Friends, lovers, and spouses will all be chosen based on how the child perceived the meaning of the relationship with his or her father. The patterns a father sets in the relationships with his children will dictate how his children relate with other people. As a father know when to be hash and soft to your kids.

Fathers and Their Daughters
Young girls depend on their fathers for security and emotional support. A father shows his daughter what a good relationship with a man is like. If a father is loving and gentle, his daughter will look for those qualities in men when she’s old enough to begin dating. If a father is strong and valiant, she will relate closely to men of the same character.

Fathers and Their Sons
Unlike girls, who model their relationships with others based on their father’s character, boys model themselves after their father’s character. Boys will seek approval from their fathers from a very young age. As human beings, we grow up by imitating the behavior of those around us; that’s how we learn to function in the world. If a father is caring and treats people with respect, the young boy will grow up much the same. When a father is absent, young boys look to other male figures to set the “rules” for how to behave and survive in the world.


Parents play very important role in the growth process of their child. In some cases, fathers and mothers complement each other’s role but some responsibilities are to be performed solely by the fathers. For the children, father is the hero within the family. The behaviour and activities of a father affect a child immensely so fathers must act responsibly. A responsible father will always ensure that his kids get a healthy environment to grow up physically and mentally both.

 10 responsibilities of fathers in child development are discussed below:
1. Father is Always a Protector.
Children feel safe and secured when they have their father around. Children can concentrate on their work and activities better when they feel secured so father has the responsibility to persuade his children that he is there to protect them from any problem.

2. Opens Up the World for the Kids.
Father is like a big window that opens up the entire world in front of the children. The children start getting acquainted with the entire world through the eyes of their father. For the children their father is the best guide to teach them what is what in this world and fathers have the responsibilities to keep up to their child’s exception.

3. Unconditional Love.

Fathers have the responsibility to make sure that their children know how much their fathers love them and they love them without any condition. Fathers must not encourage their children in doing things wrong but they must shower their love for their children without going into any condition.

4. Show Love and Respect for the Partner.

Fathers must show their love and respect to their partner. Only when fathers show respect and love to their partners, children would learn to respect their mothers and other elders. Fathers should never show any disgrace to the kids’ mothers.

5. Spending Quality Time.

Children always appreciate when they find their father spending quality time for them. Quality of time that a father spends with the child is much more important than the quantity of time spent with the child.

6. Teaching Discipline.

Fathers must take the responsibility of teaching discipline to their children. Fathers have the responsibility to specify clear boundaries for their children so that they understand what they can do and what they cannot.

7. Teaching Accountability.

Fathers can teach the sense of accountability to their children. It is important that children learn the importance of accountability in their life and it is better it is taught to the children by their parents at an early age.

8. Involve In the Studies.

Expecting the children to perform well in their exams without even knowing what they are studying is just not done. Fathers must get involve with their kids’ studies. They must not only read to their children rather they should read with their children.

9. Teach Taking Responsibilities.

Only when children watch their fathers taking responsibilities, they will learn taking responsibilities at various stages of their lives. Fathers must take enough responsibilities in doing household activities and outside work also. This will encourage their children in being responsible enough.

10. Be a Provider.

Children consider their father to be the main provider of all materialistic items. That does not mean that fathers must fulfil all the demands of their children but they must identify the needs of their children and try to fulfil them. Fathers would surely love to fulfil all the needs of their children and family but they should never do it by going beyond their spending limitations and teach their children the importance of savings.
Father and mother are two important pillars of a family and children need both of them while they grow up. That is why it is very important for the fathers to behave responsibly.

For the single fathers today raising children alone I pray today that God give them more and strength to carry on with their responsibilities.

For those who death have taken their father away today we pray that the Lord comfort them.

Remember don’t forget to tell your dad you love him, and thanks for being there.

I love you all.


Israel Kashim Audu.