Gen. 29: 35 Judah, “Now I will praise the Lord.”
At this point, Leah realizes she will not win the favor of her husband by bearing more children. Instead, she simply resolves, “I will praise the Lord.”
Beyond the seasons of romantic love and steadfast commitment, a period of praise and sheer delight in the presence of God will fuel our prayer life. This process moves from decision to discipline to delight. God’s ultimate desire is to fill us with joy in His presence and pleasures forevermore at His right hand.
Though you may begin your ministry and prayer with a commitment to God, eventually the power of praising Him alone for Who He is, regardless of what happens or what He does replaces all other priorities.
Praise is the calling of this Jacob Generation. Judah was the son from whom the Tribe of Jesus emerges. Praise is the gate that ushers the presence of God on the earth, and what God is doing with praise in our generation is unlike anything we have seen throughout all of history.
Where churches used to sing one or two static hymns, we are now embracing a culture of worship and praise to usher in the power and presence of God. One song is no longer enough, and the cry of this generation is to see Him face to face, to experience Jesus, and to feel the love of the Father is emotional, supernatural ways. They sing,
I don’t want to talk about You like You’re not in the room.
I want to look right at You, I want to talk right to You.
Allowing God to bring us into extended periods of praise and worship is perhaps the most invigorating energy to fuel our ministry. This hunger is now being expressed through 24-hour “Burns” which take place in over 100 cities throughout the United States and nations. The “harp and bowl” movement of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City is now the longest consecutive prayer movement in history, going around the clock with live music streaming and intercession for the nations for over 20 years.
These prayers and praises are the Judah anointing meant to lead the church into worship and pave the way for Jesus’ Kingdom to come on the earth. As leaders, we must make time for both prayer and extended praise to build the momentum and strength of our ministry. These times of worship are the music and ministry of heaven on earth, and our most sacred seasons of fruitfulness will naturally emerge from times of praise. This fuel for the ministry will determine our longevity to serve.
The Joseph Factor 