In the early years of my ministry in Leeds, at the close of one of my meetings, a dear Christian lady approached me in a depressed condition. She had been passing through a series of what seemed to be unending trials. We often say, 'It never rains unless it pours', and sometimes, as we seek to follow the Lord, trouble appears to follow trouble until we are tempted to wonder if it will ever end. The complaint of this good sister was the apparent disregard of God to her many petitions. In a despondent and almost aggrieved way, she told me that she had prayed and prayed and nothing had happened. There had been no easing of her burden; there was no rift in the dark cloud. She felt that God had forgotten her and that He didn't answer her prayers anyway. After she had unburdened her heart at some length, I said to her, "Well now, my good friend, supposing you go home and try using the other wing". "The other wing?" she queried. "Yes", said I, "have you ever seen a bird trying to fly with one wing? It never soars into the heavens. The injured bird cannot get off the ground. You need two wings to fly". God has given us, not only the wing of prayer, but also the wing of praise. We need them both if we would enter into the glorious liberty of the Children of God.
The Bible tells us that Paul and Silas had a season of intense trial, when they had every reason to complain and feel depressed. Although they were faithful God-fearing men, trouble came to them in greater measure than we have ever known. We read, "the multitude rose up against them ... they were beaten with many stripes. ... they were thrust into the inner prison and their feet were made fast in the stocks". What a predicament they were in. It was enough to cast them down in the depths of despair. Yet in the darkest hour of midnight, with sore and bleeding backs, do you know what these two saints of God did? The Bible says, "Paul and Silas prayed": that was one wing: and 'sang praises to God so loudly, that all the other prisoners heard them' that was the other wing. Then do you know dear reader, as Paul and Silas used the two wings of prayer and praise; they soared away into a glorious life of victory and emancipation from every bit of bondage. God intervened in an amazing way. He sent a great earthquake, so that even the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors in the prison were opened and not only were Paul and Silas set at liberty, but every man's bonds were loosed. Everybody was set free and furthermore, the keeper of the prison cried out for salvation and both he and his house believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and were baptised. It is amazing what can happen when the people of God not only sincerely pray, but also praise and magnify the Name of the Lord and rejoice in Him.
"Now", I instructed my inquirer, "you have been using the wing of prayer and you have not found deliverance. Go home and use the other wing. Begin to praise and bless the Name of God. Sing the songs of Zion until others hear you and join with you in exalting Jesus. Use the other wing Sister, use the other wing". The lady was amazed. She hadn't expected anything like this, and she protested, "But Pastor it hasn't happened yet". She thought she ought not to begin to praise the Lord until the victory had come. I urged her to claim the victory by faith and to so believe God that she might immediately be able to praise the Lord for His unchangeable and unfailing faithfulness.
Did not Jesus encourage us in circumstances like this, when He said, "Believe, trust and be confident that it is granted unto you, and you will get it?" (Mark 11:24. Amplified N.T.) A day or two later when I arrived at the Church to conduct my Bible study, I found this same lady waiting for me in my vestry. With a beaming face, she almost danced with joy and said, "Oh Pastor, it works, it works". I was somewhat puzzled. I had quite forgotten about the former interview, and I said to her, "What works?” She replied, "the other wing, the other wing, it works. I've been praising as well as praying and I'm free". And obviously she was. "God has answered my prayer", she said, "the burden has gone; I've got the victory". We bowed our heads together in thanksgiving, saying, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name". (Psalm 103:1). This was a wonderful tonic at the outset of our Bible study, for soon the whole congregation was rejoicing with the one who had been so blessedly delivered.
Dear reader, never forget to praise the Lord, not only when you feel like it, but also when you don't feel like it. Have you ever read of 'the sacrifice of praise?' (Psalm 116:17). It is not only true that prayer changes things; a heart overflowing with praise to God will also rout the enemy. "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord". (Psalm 150:6).