When life crashes around us, the last thing we feel like doing is singing a “hallelujah” chorus. The problems drain our energy—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

That is when we must refill ourselves with the presence of God.

No matter where you are on your walk with the Lord, whether a new believer or if you are a seasoned veteran, if we’re not continually refilling ourselves with the Lord presence, we become weakened vessels.

One of the most powerful forms of refilling comes in the form of praise.

That’s right—singing praises to our King.

Our King—Jesus Christ—was the sacrifice Lamb who was slain for us. He paid the penalty for our sins and ended the sacrificial system once and for all. Because He paid the ultimate penalty on our behalf, we can come to Him and offer our praise.

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15 NKJV)

Yes, at times in our lives, it feels like a sacrifice to sing praises. But I have found that’s when it is the most liberating.

I’ve known this truth for many years as I’d heard it taught in church frequently. But it wasn’t until after my son’s arrest and subsequent conviction that I truly learned to live it. There’s a difference between knowing the truth and living out the truth.

I felt that singing praise to my King in the darkest moments of my life was crucial. I learned to praise the Lord with tears. Or when I was angry. Or just flat out when I didn’t feel like it.

Here’s why…

Praise is the highest form of spiritual warfare and defeats the enemy. I determined in my heart that the enemy was not going to snatch any member of my family from entering God’s Kingdom. I continued to stand on the promise that me and all of my household shall be saved. (See Acts 16:31.)

Also, praise releases us from despair. From our experiences of navigating the legal system, it lends itself to despair. And despair is a tool the enemy uses to put us in emotional bondage. The good news is that when we put on the “garment of praise” it removes the “spirit of heaviness.” (See Isaiah 61:3.)

We must continually refill ourselves with the presence of the Lord. We do that by singing praise to His glorious and holy name.

One of the first songs that really spoke to me when we first embarked on this prison family journey was a song by Kutless called “What Faith Can Do.”

I listened to the words of the song over and over. As I did it continued to stir up my faith in what God can do.

Let’s use praise to defeat the enemy, find freedom from despair, and refill us with the presence of the Lord.

So that we will have a resource of praise songs to draw from when we feel weak, share in the comments below praise songs that lift your spirit.