Rashida Wright

A Weapon of War

Last month, I felt led to participate in the 8^th year of Hallelujah Challenge, October edition. In true Rashida fashion, I did not do all the days, but I did complete what I started 😊.

So, what is the Hallelujah Challenge (HC)? It is a 25-day praise, worship and prayer gathering hosted in Nigeria by gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey filled with music, dancing and declarations onto the Lord. The event is live streamed on YouTube at midnight West Africa Time (WAT), featuring members of his worship team and special guests including other famous gospel artists and pastors. It has become a global phenomenon and hundreds of thousands of people join in on the worship around the world. Check it out for yourself!

Any time I’ve seen the videos, it’s typically because my mom puts it on the screen, which is usually in the middle of the challenge. And admittedly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to participate because I was too proud to dance like a fool (Father, forgive me).

But as I was in the gym on October 7, I was scrolling on YouTube and lo and behold it was day 1 of HC. Something in me said, “I am going to do this!” So, I did.

I tuned in over half of the days and truly felt a sense of joy while dancing in the kitchen, living room and bedroom. It was a time that I looked forward to for the most part and it allowed me to praise God in a whole new way.

But what I took away from this experience was how rebellious praise is against the forces of spiritual darkness. From my own experience of facing hardships in October like unemployment and spiritual attacks against my finances, I can honestly say praise in the face of adversity is truly a weapon against the devil and his schemes. Despite the bleak situation happening around me, the praise and worship brought joy to my day, stoked my hope and brought me joy to keep pressing on and believing God.

Psalm 149:6 talks about the high praises of God being like a two-edge sword in the hands of His people. Which means that praises of God deliver blows to the devils plans and gives us a win anytime he comes against us. The story of Joshau and the wall of Jericho is a perfect example. It was their obedience to the Lord to shout loud praises that brought the walls down, giving them the victory they needed in the land! Read Joshau 6:1-21 for context.

The testimonies from this are challenge also mind blowing. People have reported getting pregnant after not being able to conceive for years, meeting spouses, getting jobs, experiencing miraculous healings and more. But one thing that always stood out to me were the people who dressed like their miracle and endured through the challenge despite their current circumstances speaking contrary to what they were believing. God heard their praise and granted them their hearts desire because He is a good God and their faith was there.

@whereljgoes

This has been on my #hallelujahchallenge prayer request since last year and this year February & I want to return ALL the Glory to GOD! It has been a whirlwind couple of months and God has answered! #mytestimony #halleluyahchallengetestimony #fy #christiantiktok #entrepreneur

♬ See What the Lord Has Done (Live) – NATHANIEL BASSEY

What that Lord seemed to display is that, when we praise Him during adversity, hard times, difficulties, despair and grief, it illustrates where our faith truly lies. That it is not rooted in the blessing or our own strength, but it is firmly established in the Lord and His power.

We must remember that praise isn’t just something we give to God because we’re supposed to, it’s one of our tools for becoming victorious over our situation and a signal to the enemy that he cannot steal our joy.

So, this week, month whenever, please remember, praise is a weapon at our disposal, and in this chaotic season, use it GENEROUSLY! Put on some joyful praise music that makes you want to dance and sing out loud and watch how your situation turns around! I’ll share my testimony once it comes to pass. Looking forward to hearing yours too!