Anyway (Pray and Praise)

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” 
- Hebrews 13:15 NIV

It’s funny to me how when you start thinking about praying and praising God, even (or especially) in the midst of the junk of life, you start seeing things that remind you about it everywhere.

One such reminder was today’s passage about offering the sacrifice of praise - the fruit of the lips that openly profess his name. A verse that spoke directly to me… reminding me to praise Him anyway, to praise Him continuously - even when I don't know what to say, even when I don’t “feel” like it, even when I’m angry or frustrated or disappointed.

Then I saw this quote from David Jeremiah. A reminder of why we continuously offer the sacrifice of praise.

"Whenever you stop being thankful in your spirit, you begin to push God to the perimeter of your life.” 
- Pastor David Jeremiah

Both of these reminding me to pray and praise the Lord “anyway.”

Pray and Praise the Lord even when...
... You don't feel like it
... You feel the enemy bearing down on you 
... You feel a million miles away
... Your prayers don't seem to be going any further than the ceiling
... Your stress seems to out weigh your praise

Pray and Praise Him anyway... 
Pray and Praise Him through it... 
Pray and Praise Him in the midst of whatever you may be dealing with.

“Abraham struggled to wait on God, but he trusted anyway. Joseph lived with undeserved wounds of abuse and injustice, but He trusted God anyway. Mary faced a seemingly impossible pregnancy, but she trusted God anyway. What we do with our “anyway”moments makes a strategic difference between victory or defeat.” 
- Pastor Dean Register 

A reminder of the sacrifice of praise that we are to offer - the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem