The Power of Praise to Shoo Away the Enemy
Letting the enemy linger sets us up for defeat, so let’s take intentional action to resist Satan and the unseen forces bent on our destruction.
My granddaughter, Lexi, was three years old when her creative imagination kicked into high gear one day. “We’re on a camping trip,” she said to me. “There’s an invisible bear hiding near our tent. But don’t be scared, Grandma. I’ll protect you!”
Lexi grabbed a plush bunny and began swinging it in the air. “This works every time,” she said. “My bunny-shoo-er chases bears away. You see? He’s running into the woods now.”
Lexi’s weapon of choice did the trick. The bear streaked past so fast that I didn’t catch even a teeny-weeny glimpse of the beast.
What enemy is hiding near your tent?
You and I face invisible enemies of various sizes and descriptions. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Fear is perhaps the most common enemy we face. Comparison is another. The lurker list includes perfectionism, envy, unforgiveness, self-righteousness, and more.
Specifics vary from person to person, but everyone shares one common enemy—Satan. The apostle Peter described him as a lion and warns us, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Shoo away the enemy with praise
Letting the enemy linger in our space sets us up for defeat, so let’s not invite trouble. Instead, let’s take intentional action to resist Satan and the unseen forces bent on our destruction.
L’il Lexi had the right idea when she began swinging her plush bunny to chase the invisible bear away. Thankfully, we have God-given weapons much stronger and designed for battle. Besides those listed in Ephesians 6, what other weapon might we pick up and swing to shoo away the enemy?
Try praise.
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Praise is the beauty of a Christian. What wings are to a bird, what fruit is to the tree, what the rose is to the thorn, that is praise to a child of God.”
Praise is worshiping God for who He is. It turns our focus from the enemy’s growls to God’s greatness. It reminds us that God is stronger than the invisible forces we face. It helps us recall His promises to be with us, to fight our battles for us, and to bring to pass His purposes for our lives. Praise doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances, but it changes us. It helps turn our chaos into calm, our fear into faith, and our panic into peace.
Praise doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances, but it changes us. It helps turn our chaos into calm, our fear into faith, and our panic into peace.
Grace Fox
Would you consider doing a little assignment with me this week? Let’s pick up our weapon of praise by memorizing Psalm 28:7. Every time we sense the invisible enemy lurking in our thoughts, let’s declare this verse aloud:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7 NIV)
We can also turn Psalm 28:7 into a prayer: “Mighty God, You are my strength and shield. With everything in me, I trust in You. I rest assured that You will help me. Because of who You are, my heart leaps for joy. With my song, I praise You.”
Pick up your weapon, dear friend. Put praise into practice, and watch the enemy run. It works every time.
Read another of my blog posts about the power of praise.
Check out this Bible Project resource for more teaching about praise.
May I pray for you?
“Father, we praise You for being Almighty God. There is no one like You in heaven or on earth. We trust You, and You help us. You are the Victor, and we are victorious in You. We are grateful.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Know you are loved,
Grace
How timely! I could have used this a few days ago when I allowed Satan to enter my thoughts (as I woke up) and tell me I wasn’t capable, that I wasn’t as well liked as someone else, and that I was making mistakes because I’m too old or not as gifted and so on…I repeated the Our Father prayer and remembered how God gives grace to people when they make mistakes and that I needed to do the same to myself! I soon went back to sleep. Thank you, Grace, for such an encouraging reminder and a great verse to memorize.
Feel the same way Catherine as I battle “getting older”. I getcha girl. It’s not talked about very much, sadly, how difficult aging can be for some, in many ways actually. God does, thankfully! pour out His Grace and mercy as we travel towards our heavenly home. Im also replying generic’ly too, to yes, how much God’s Word and praise helps “battle the enemy”of our souls on this journey. A good devotional, good cup of coffee, equal beautiful “soul builder food” time. I LOVE the memory verse Grace! As im battling heart disease….soo many battles we face, thank you for your encouraging devotions sister, God bless you, and yours! And PRAISE GOD you felt like going to Bible camp in four days, even though I couldn’t find what happened?!! May God bless you my sis in Christ, Catherine!
Hi Dara:
Thank you for popping in and sharing your thoughts with us. May God lavish His love and faithfulness on you as you deal with heart disease. May He cover you, hold you, surround you, and bless you with peace and joy and an overwhelming sense of His presence.
BTW — here’s the link to a blog post that tells about what happened to me: https://www.gracefox.com/finding-reasons-to-be-thankful/
Know you are loved,
Grace
Dara and Catherine, I struggle too but, Praise God he sees us as capable and worthy!
See Graces blog here about what happened!: https://www.gracefox.com/finding-reasons-to-be-thankful/
Hi Cathy, thank you! I share what I sent to Becky today w you.
Praise God you are feeling better! Thanks for your encouraging response. I too struggle so much with physical ailments, for the last several years. Some, as Grace said, mystifies them….. think maybe Lonnnng covid possibly, along with this heart disease, that’s scary and flaring. But I Love what Grace said in her response, as brings me much comfort today as I struggle. God bless you Cathy, thanks for your encouragement.
“When I FEEL weak, I look to them and remember that THEIR Creator is the ONE who holds US in HIS hands. What better place to be?”
Hi Catherine!
That enemy loves to plant lies in our mind, and our human bent always leans toward the negative. So–if we let those lies linger, than he gets a foothold. I’m so glad that you recognized his ploys and stood against them through prayer.
You are capable, you are gifted, and you are much loved,
Grace
I believe that praise usher is in the presence of the Lord. And how we need his presence! Thank you for this. Love, Gina.
Hi, Gina!
You are absolutely right. Praise invites God’s presence into our problems. So–let’s put that weapon to work and watch God work on our behalf.
Know you are loved,
Grace
I wish I could post all the pictures of flowers I took on my Sunday morning walk here in Chapala,Mexico. 🌸🌺🌼💮🪷 I was struggling physically and mentally after several days of reactions to strong smells. I made myself go for a walk, lifting my eyes to the green mountains and snapping a picture of each splash of color I encountered. Listening to a podcast, Ps 121:1-2 was referenced at JUST THAT MOMENT! I came home and set my iPad to slideshow my flower pictures. So amazing how God reached out to me in my hurt and need.
Ps 121:1-2 “I look up to the mountains;
does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.” MSG
I’m glad you are recovering, Grace, and able to send out your emails, again. 🙏
Hi Becky:
Thanks for sharing how God has ministered to you in your need. The verses you quoted are some of my favourites as we live near the mountains. When I feel weak, I look to them and remember that their Creator is the One who holds us in His hands. What better place to be? May He continue to strengthen your body and restore your health.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Hi Becky, praise God you are feeling better! Thanks for your encouraging response. I too struggle so much with physical ailments, for the last several years. Some, as Grace said, mystifies them….. think maybe Lonnnng covid possibly, along with this heart disease, that’s scary and flaring. But I Love what Grace said in her response, as brings me much comfort today as I struggle…I pray you’re as still doing well.
“When I FEEL weak, I look to them and remember that THEIR Creator is the ONE who holds US in HIS hands. What better place to be?”
It’s been a very challenging year with my husband has not yet got another job -I work with seniors – I’ve had health challenges so has my husband – my son works pt
Trusting in Jesus to keep making ways He is my Shepherd Thanks for this wonderful teaching to keep praising Him through all of this
Hi Carol!
You’ve had quite the journey for several years already. Your faith in God and trust in His care and provision inspire me, my friend. Praise and persevere.
Know you are loved,
Grace
Praise the Lord for he is good.His mercies endure forever!Thank you Grace for your Godgiven talent in writing and inspiring us through His Word!We are grateful for your book on the names of God !Knowing Peace!Our women’s study is on this!! I had a trip in an ambulance last night to emergency and Praise God I am home and resting!Feeling blessed.Thank you for the prayers on His name! I will pray 🙏 on it!Thank you and know you are loved!
Vivienne — I’m sorry to hear about your medical crisis last night but am glad you’re back home and resting now. Sheesh. Life has a way of hurling surprises at us. Thankfully, we can take those surprises and cast them on the Lord. Rest well.
Know you are loved,
Grace