"Prayer And Praise"

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22

What a contrast- a merry heart and a broken spirit, the complete opposites. To have a merry heart is more beneficial because there is life and healing in it, while a broken spirit brings death, discouragement and even sickness. How do we keep a merry heart? How do we overcome a broken spirit? James 5:13 gives us an answer. "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."

When experiencing a broken spirit or afflictions, don't just ignore the problem that causes them. Don't just try to sweep it under the rug. PRAY. Philippians tells us to pray in every situation. Go to God, talk to Him about it, turn your care over to Him, seek Him for direction, pour out your heart to Him, let Him know how you feel.

When we have a merry heart, we shouldn't ignore it either. Don't withhold it, don't keep it bottled up inside, release your joy, this is one time not to keep your mouth shut. James says to sing psalms when we are merry. He didn't just say to sing, he said to sing psalms- the praise chapters of the Bible. Release your praise and sing unto the Lord. Make His word your meditation, make it your song throughout the day, make it the thoughts you dwell on.

We experience times of both in life- joy and affliction. But there is something that we need to do when we are. Broken in spirit? Go to God in prayer. Merry in heart? Sing His praises.

Have a great day. Prayer and praise-- two great principles to live our lives by.