Power in Praise by Merlin R. Carothers

Power in Praise by Merlin R. Carothers

Publisher: Foundation of Praise (May 2013)

176 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $6.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

This is a self-help book that urges people to praise God for not only the good things in their life, but also the bad things, because when we praise God for the bad things in our life it “releases the power and guidance of God.” This book is very repetitive and contains a heavy dose of evangelical belief systems. The author believes that when we don’t praise God for bad things, we offend Him because we are questioning His wisdom and His “perfect plan” for us, because even the bad things that happen to us (the author believes) happen for a reason and for our own good (or otherwise part of His master plan). I think the overall message is good. Worrying over things, harping about annoyances, and griping about past wrongs, definitely get in the way of people moving forward in a positive way, and I can see why it would be beneficial to look on bad things in a positive light so you can move past them, but I’m not so sure I want to believe that God is immature or petty enough to become offended by anything we ignorant humans do; and I don’t particularly think He is vain enough to need our constant praise or attention in order for us to stay in His good graces. This book contains a horde of testimonials collected by the author, many that reference his bestseller Prison to Praise (which carries much the same message), and as this book was originally published in 1972 some of the testimonials are a little dated, but not too bad. Definitely gives you something to think about.