Ways to Praise God Throughout Your Day— A True Meaning of 'Apewe Sifa'
We live in a world overflowing with information, yet drowning in confusion. Like the builders of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9), humanity often seeks its own glory and ends up in division, noise, and restlessness. In the midst of this, the song “Apewe Sifa” reminds us of our true purpose: to give God praise.
Many voices around us try to answer life’s most important question: Why are we here? Some say it is to enjoy pleasures, others to chase money, possessions, fame, or power. But all these philosophies—hedonism, materialism, consumerism, even nihilism—fall short. They cannot satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola offers the true answer in his Spiritual Exercises: we are created to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by this to save our souls. This is why we live. This is why we breathe. This is why we sing: “Apewe sifa, apewe utukufu!”—Let Him receive praise, let Him receive glory!
So how do we give God true praise?
Through the Psalms – The Psalms are timeless songs of praise. Psalm 150 invites us: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” When we sing or pray them, we join the ancient voices of faith that echo through eternity.
Through Mary’s Magnificat – Mary teaches us to praise. Her words, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord” (Lk. 1:46), are not only a prayer but a way of life. Like her, we are called to magnify God in everything we do.
Through the Holy Mass – The highest act of praise is the Eucharist. Every Mass is heaven on earth: we praise the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. In the Doxology we proclaim: “Through Him, with Him, and in Him…”—this is praise at its fullest.
Through Eucharistic Adoration – After Mass, we continue in praise by adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. This “Hour of Power” strengthens, heals, and fills us with peace. Spending even a few moments in His Presence is a powerful act of praise.
Through the Angels – In heaven, the angels never cease to sing: “Holy, holy, holy Lord…” (Rev. 4:8). When we praise God, we join their eternal song. We can ask them to teach us how to praise with purity and joy.
Through Our Lives – St. Augustine reminds us: words of praise must be matched by lives of praise. Our actions, choices, and witness should proclaim the greatness of God as much as our songs do.
The saints and angels, Mary our Mother, and the whole Church already sing this eternal hymn. The song “Apewe Sifa” is our earthly participation in heaven’s chorus. It is not just melody—it is mission.
So let us not withhold praise. Let us sing it, pray it, live it. In our joy and in our struggles, let every breath declare: To God be praise, honor, and glory—forever!
