RELEASE FOR RELEASE

PRAISE PRAYER ACTIVATES RELEASE

Jonah 2: 7, 9,10 (KJV)
When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.
And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

From this scripture it is obvious that praise and prayer go together.  It's like a lock and key.  

A reading on the entire chapter of Jonah 2 will bring enlightenment to this statement. From the first verse Jonah prayed unto the Lord His God out of the fish's belly.  He cried and the Lord heard his voice.  

Note that in the first few verses, Jonah cried out his situation, his troubles and what he felt God had done to him. He spoke from where he was, his surroundings and limitations that he could see and understand.  But when his soul fainted and he had no strength left he remember the Lord.  

His prayer took a different direction when he made the sacrifice to give thanks and praise. 

It was that key, the key of praise that unlocked his prayer and opened the deadbolt of heaven's portal.  It was that praise that was heard that activated The Lord.  

God then spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon dry land.  

TODAY'S TOPIC:  SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)

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,

What does your circumstances look like right now?  

• Are you having a Jonah experience?
• Have you talk to God and everyone else about your situation and problems?
• Does it seem that there is a deadbolt on your prayer?
• Are you complaining to God about how unfair He is and how tired you are?

How desperate are you for your release?

1. Reflect back on what brought you or took you there, and if it's self inflicted repent and go back to the cross and accept His love and forgiveness. 
2. Empty your soul of all complaints, guilt, confusion, negative reasoning etc...
3. Remember the Lord who has kept you through the process

Now, how about a sacrifice of Praise?

• Begin with a prayer of Thanksgiving.  Yes even for the situation that you are in right now.   
• Praise up the situation then praise the solution, then praise some more.

Remember, he listened when Jonah complained, but He released when he made the sacrifice to praise through a fainted soul.   Praise is the last thing you would want to do when you are going through.  But as he did for Jonah when you have fainted and have no strength he will speak to your "fish" and to what's holding your release when your praise Him.  

GOD WILL REMEMBER YOU ONLY WHEN YOU RELEASE YOUR SACRIFICE OF PRAISE!  

God bless you and Keep The Faith!

Virtuous Jewel