Nathaniel Bassey, the music minister responsible for powerful songs such as Onise Iyanu and Imela, recently started what he tagged the Hallelujah Challenge on Instagram and Facebook. The challenge is basically a midnight praise challenge based on the story of Paul and Silas praising God at midnight. God is referred to as “Olowogbogboro“, the One with the mighty and outstretched arm.
The challenge has grown exponentially during the Instagram live sessions from 2000 viewers on the 5th of June to over 50,000 viewers on the 12th of June. It is showing no sign of stopping as the testimonies are endless and continuous, from supernatural financial provision to healing miracles to unbelievable testimonies of protection. This has only succeeded in increasing the numbers tuning in daily. Truly, God is being glorified through it all and He is touching the hearts of men in Nigeria and across the world.
Many people might be wondering why this challenge is so powerful. The Bible is clear on the power of praises to God. I will share with you 8 reminders from the Word of God explaining the incomprehensible power of our praises and how to tap into this power:
Praise causes deliverance from the chains and bonds holding us bound.
God shakes things loose when we praise Him. Paul and Silas were praising at midnight and all their chains were loosed and all the prison doors burst open. Is it diseases? Bondage? You are breaking free from any form of oppression from the enemy.
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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 loosed.”
Acts 16:25-26
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He has broken the gates of bronze,
And cut the bars of iron in two. “
Psalms 107:15-16
Praise brings God’s presence into our lives and circumstances.
His presence brings joy into the lives of people when we praise Him and chases away the gloom we are feeling. If you are depressed or sad because of circumstances in your life currently and even due to medical reasons, the presence of God would fill you with joy and come to dwell in your life. The joy would overshadow whatever your problems are telling you to cause moodiness.
“You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalms 16:11 NKJV
“But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
Psalms 22:3 NKJV
Participate in the Hallelujah challenge with the mindset that all the works of the enemy against your life would be ambushed by the Power of God and defeat them totally.
“Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were
defeated.”
II Chronicles 20:22
Praise breaks down the walls of the enemy keeping our promises away from us.
The children of Israel went around Jericho and their praises brought down the walls of the city. You need the walls built by the enemy around your promises to come down. Shouts of praise would do that for you.
“So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.”
Joshua 6:20
A key point to note here if you read from verse 5, their praise had a purpose. What is your purpose for joining the Hallelujah challenge? Plan your purpose for being a part of this challenge and hold on to it without wavering and I can assure you that the walls surrounding your promise would come tumbling down.
Praise helps us to put our focus on God.
No space or opportunity to complain. A lot of us claim we are praying but we are actually complaining to God. In praise, we are focusing on God and this brings to our remembrance the good things that God has done for us. We forget that life is not about us but about fulfilling purpose in Christ. As human beings we are prone to selfishness, He desires our eyes and focus to be on Him.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalms 103:1-5
“And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long.”
Psalms 35:28
Praise and worship helps us receive revelation of God’s will and purpose,
it creates a conducive atmosphere to receive divine revelations and guidance. It can usher in the prophetic word and we would know the mind of God regarding a matter.
“And Elisha said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. But now bring me a musician.”
Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’”
II Kings 3:14-17
True to the Word, all of the above has been happening in the ongoing challenge with testimonies daily. We still have 18 days left in this challenge and I would advise you join in. You can follow Nathaniel on Instagram @nathanielblow to participate! There is power in our praises!
Share below any testimonies you have regarding the power of praises in your life!