Supernatural Turnaround Through Praise by Rev. Sam Oye: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

When They Began to Sing

2 Chronicles 20:22 — And 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.

As your praise is released to God, as you choose to sing to your God in the midst of your trials — whatever has come against you will be smitten. Your challenges will fall flat. Your barriers will crumble. Your limitations are smashed. Your chains fall. Your doors are opened.

Psalm 22:3 — But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. When praises begin to rise in a place, God takes his abode there. He dwells there. One of the ways to bring God into your situation is to praise him in the midst of it. He doesn't send angels — he sends himself.

Praise Is a Supernatural Strategy

Praise is not a reaction. Praise is a divine strategy that ushers in supernatural happenings. Praise is not the entertainment portion of a church service. Praise is engagement with the supernatural. Praise is the trigger for supernatural happenings.

When you engage praise, you pull a trigger that makes strange things happen. Praise is a weapon you use for spiritual legislation — to establish things in an environment. If you are in a prison and you praise God, you are making legislation over that environment. Chains must fall. Doors must open.

Acts 16:25–26 — At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God. The prisoners heard them. And 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 loosened.

This is not the month for silent songs. This is a month of noise. As they began to sing praises, the prisoners heard them — and suddenly. This month, things will happen suddenly. Sudden open doors. Sudden breakthroughs. Sudden turnarounds. And immediately — all doors were opened.

Praise Praised Its Way to Victory

For seven years of believing God for a child, not once was there a moment of complaining about the wait. Every morning, scriptures were lifted to God — "Father, you said." Reminding him of his promises at 4:00 a.m., day after day. But at the same time, whenever news came that another woman in the church had given birth, praise began. Dancing began. The response was: "God is growing my family. What he is doing in everybody's life, he is going to do in my life too."

Praise walked its way through even the painful moments — when pregnancy was hoped for but menstrual blood came. The dance continued. The praise continued. If the devil can shut your mouth, he has closed your life. Open your mouth wide and he will fill it.

Numbers 14:28 — As you have spoken in my hearing, so shall I do. He staggered not at the promise of God, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Praise before the manifestation is an act of faith.

The Power in Prayer vs. Praise

After praying from 9:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. for the baptism of the Holy Ghost with nothing happening — when tired and ready to leave, a song began:

"It's not by power. It's not by might. But by my Spirit, saith the Lord."

In the midst of that song — what had been prayed for hours came with ease. As you open your mouth to praise your God, what has been difficult will become easy. Doors that have been shut will be opened.

Dimensions of Praise

• Halal — to celebrate God, to boast about God, to magnify him. Expressive, visible, eradicable praise that breaks limitation. Everything that has breath, halal the Lord.
• Todah — prophetic praise before the manifestation. Whosoever offered praise glorified God, and to him who orders his conversation aright, God will show salvation. Praise God now for the job. Praise him now for the visa. Praise him now for the child. That is todah — and God will always rise to what you call him to be.
• Zamar — instrumental praise. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to his name. When an anointed instrumentalist plays what God places on their heart, miracles happen. When David played, the demons tormenting Saul departed. Zamar carries healing and deliverance.
• Barak — praise expressed through posture, kneeling down. Not about words — about position. You are communicating without speech that God is above every title, every rank, every achievement. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
• Shabach — loud praise. Praise the Lord with a loud voice. There is a dimension of praise that has to do with noise. Where you release sounds into the atmosphere. When you lose your composure in praise, it is a sign that you are doing this for something bigger than yourself.

Why We Praise God

1. Praise invites his presence. Psalm 22:3. Psalm 16:11 — In his presence is the fullness of joy. Where God's presence is, problems don't survive.
2. Praise activates divine intervention. When they began to praise God, he stepped in and dealt with all their enemies. Paul and Silas at midnight — the foundations shook, chains broke, doors opened.
3. Praise opens doors and destroys chains. No door remains shut before anyone whose mouth is open to continually praise the Lord. Chains cannot hold someone whose praise cannot be held back.
4. Praise silences enemies. Psalm 8:2 — Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength, that thou mightest still the enemy. Praise will silence your adversaries.
5. Praise releases joy and strength. Praise activates God's presence. In his presence is the fullness of joy. And the joy of the Lord is your strength.
6. Praise activates God's ability. Praise takes the focus away from your problem and keeps it on the God who is more than able. Turn your attention from your problem to your God.
7. Praise celebrates Christ's finished work. He redeemed us. He forgave us and made us righteous. He accepted and adopted us. He blessed us with all spiritual blessings. He equipped and empowered us. He repositioned us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. He commissioned us. That is why we praise him.