How can we encourage others to "give praise to God" as in Luke 18:43? The Moment That Sparked a Chorus “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” (Luke 18:43) What We Notice in the Verse • A personal miracle: one man’s eyes are opened. • A public response: everyone witnessing the change joins in praise. • A simple pattern: encounter → testimony → communal worship. Why Personal Praise Inspires Others • Praise is contagious—Psalm 40:3 says, “Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” • Seeing God at work removes doubt and fuels hope—Acts 3:8-9 shows a healed man “walking and leaping and praising God,” and the crowd is “filled with wonder.” • Testimony connects God’s power to everyday life, making His greatness tangible—Revelation 12:11 points to victory “by the word of their testimony.” Practical Ways to Spark Praise in Those Around Us 1. Share Your Story • Tell fresh, specific ways God has answered prayer. • Keep it conversational, not preachy—just recount what happened. • Highlight God’s character (faithful, merciful, powerful) more than your own feelings. 2. Celebrate Others’ Stories • When someone else tells how God moved, amplify it—“Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3). • Spread the news in your family, small group, or social media, always pointing back to the Lord. 3. Let Good Works Shine • Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). • Acts of kindness done openly for God’s glory, not personal applause, direct observers to praise Him. 4. Sing and Speak Scripture • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16). • Scripture-soaked songs and conversations prime hearts to recognize and praise God’s greatness. 5. Model Immediate Gratitude • As soon as you notice God’s hand, voice thanks out loud—big or small. • Quick, public gratitude shows others how to respond reflexively to God’s goodness. 6. Create Rhythms of Testimony • Begin gatherings with a “God-sightings” moment. • End family meals by naming one thing God did that day. • These rhythms train everyone to look for—and talk about—His works. Living as a Community of Praise • Hebrews 13:15 urges, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” Continual praise becomes natural when we celebrate God’s deeds together. • 1 Peter 2:12 underscores the impact: consistent godly lives lead observers to “glorify God on the day He visits us.” When we openly celebrate what Jesus has done, just as the once-blind man did, we give our friends and neighbors a clear invitation: “Come and praise Him too.” |
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