I met Gloria Pruett at a conference several years ago. She was a beautiful example of love and faith then and continues to be today. Gloria's non-fiction title, Lift Up Your Hands (Warner Books/Walk Worthy Press) is available in bookstores everywhere as well as online. I had the privilege of reading this book even before its release date of fall, 2005. On the pages of Lift Up Your Hands, Gloria shares with readers her personal testimony, how vital praise is to our ongoing growth as a Christian, the connection between praise and a more meaningful relationship with God, and how praise-time with God can be a refreshing, exciting experience each day.
Gloria is truly one of those people who leaves an inspiring impression (check out her website www.gloriapruett.com). She is currently writing a second book, and I look forward to the blessing that will come from reading it! Below is a portion of my conversation with this precious and powerful woman of God.
Q: Who is Gloria Pruett?
A: Gloria Pruett is a woman who has evolved into someone whose longing is to serve others and help them reach their full potential in Christ, because without Him, we can do nothing, with Him we can do anything!
Q: What was the inspiration behind Lift Up Your Hands?
A: It was my desire to not only spend time with God but to enjoy it. I didn’t want my personal time to be a debt I owed. I wanted to look forward to spending time with God. Because of my background, praise was something that I felt uncomfortable doing. Therefore, not much effort was put into my “personal praise” at home. It was easy in church. You have the organ and piano, drums and horns. It was a different story at home. So I found myself repeating all the things we did at church.
After a while, I came to grips with myself that I was just going through the motions. I was on “auto pilot, stuck in a rut.” I admitted to the Lord that I was “clock watching” and felt relieved when my praise portion was over. It’s an understatement to say that I wasn’t putting much effort into my praise. One day I asked myself, “If I were God how would I feel about my praise?” My answer was very disappointing. I realized that I was deficient in communicating my love to God. It was then that I asked Holy Spirit to teach me how to praise God in a new and fresh way. I began to go to the dictionary to find words and phrases that expressed how I truly felt. I started with the beginning of the alphabet and went to the end. That was the beginning of what I know now as the ABC’s of praise. It never started out being a book. It started from my desire to love God with all of my heart. I purposed that when I left His presence, He would be pleased with my effort to love Him. I cannot tell you how exhilarating this exercise can be. You, my friend, will have to try it for yourself.
To this day (and I have no doubt it will continue until Jesus comes) I am still coming up with new words that express how much I love and care for the Lord. How thankful I am for all He’s done. I can’t read a book, newspaper or magazine article without pointing to new words to declare “Yeah! That’s what Jesus is to me! Praise is a lifestyle and you can never run out of accolades to tell God our Father, Jesus our Saviour and Lord, and Holy Spirit how much you love and appreciate Them.
Q: Why is this book relevant to our lives?
A:The Bible says in Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. In Psalm 145:2-3, it declares “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."
Praise is not an option. Be appreciative. Keep in mind that when we do something daily, we have to work at it to keep it fresh and alive instead of stale and rote. I believe the concepts in Lift Up Your Hands will help you keep your love life with the Lord fresh and wonderful. It will not only help you elevate your praise, it will help you help others who are “stuck in a rut” of praise.
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Mata Elliott is the author of forgivin' ain't forgettin' (Warner Books/Walk Worthy Press, 2006). This is her first novel.
