Pray and Praise

“Is anyone in trouble? 

He should pray.

 Is anyone happy? 

Let him sing songs of praise.”

                                                                                               James 4:13

I think it is safe to say more prayers go up to God when people are in trouble than when they are happy.
Christian, none-Christian it really doesn’t make any difference. If the situation is bad enough people will call on God. To Quote Lisa Simpson of the Fox television show “prayer the last bastion of a scoundrel.”
I disagree with the Simpson quote, I feel it should be the first place we go even before trouble arrises.
The reality is unfortunately, that the only time some people pray is when trouble is upon them.
When we are sick do we call on the elders of our church congregation to pray for us. To hold us up in prayer before God.
Prayer is a powerful weapon. Sadly to few Christians use it and many who do doubt or only half believe it will work.
There is another reality. Too few Christians when they are happy sing songs of praise to God.
When was the last time you actually sang praises to God out side of church or a church meeting? SANG not LISTEN to?
If we are Christians we should be all the way. We should be willing to give praise to God openly when we are happy anywhere, anytime. But do we.
The Psalmist wrote,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD”

                                                                                           Psalm 150
When was the last time you sang praises to God outside chruch?
Don’t think about it and do it.