The choir and power of praise

Praise is a powerful weapon that can bring down the hand of Almighty God. The Choir, and indeed anyone wishing to praise God, can key into this. Praise is a powerful weapon. Praying and meditating on the word of God cannot take the place of praise.

The Bible records in II Chronicles 20 that it was during the reign of Jehoshaphat, the fourth King of Judah, that the Amonites, Moabites and the people of Mount Seir advanced war against him. Jehoshaphat employed the power of praise as his great grandfather, David, did. On the day of war, Jehoshaphat did something that seemed stupid, but it was not: singers were in front praising the Lord, followed by soldiers (instead of soldiers leading). II Chronicles 20:21 reads ‘…he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy array, as they went before the army…’ The result is as recorded in II Chronicles 20:22, ‘And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten (KJV).’
Why Praise?
• We need to praise God because it is a command (Psalm 100:4).
• Everything that has breath should praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).
• God lives in praise (Psalm 22:3
• When there is need for divine intervention – Paul and Silas employed praise and had God’s intervention in prison, and they were delivered (Acts 16:25).

How can we get the best result?
• It is with holiness (sacred vestment). The Israelites praised God in holy array, as they went before the army, and conquered the enemies (II Chron. 20:21).
• We need to praise God with all our being (Psalm 103).
Where and when can we Praise God?
• Everywhere – in the prison, market, school, Church, etc. Paul and Silas praised God in prison (Acts 16:25)
• Anytime and in any condition – morning, afternoon, evening, in times of problems, difficulty and happiness.

The Effects of Power of Praise
• It carries (brings) the presence of God and unlocks the gates of heaven (Psalm 100:4).
• Praise releases supernatural power to work on our behalf. In II Chronicles 20, God set ambush against the enemies of Judah because His hands and power were released through praise, a tool of warfare.
• Praise is a spiritual bullet and a thunderbolt. That was what praise did to the enemies of Judah.
• Praise is an explosive, a bomb; dynamite that scatters all hindrances and problems. The wall of Jericho fell down because of praise.
• Praise causes earthquake that breaks every iron bar and all prison doors of the enemy (the case of Paul and Silas in prison in Acts 16:25-26).
• Praise is unstoppable. It confuses the devil and his agents, and has no expiry date.
• Praise, as a perfume, has scent – scent of miracle, healing, deliverance, blessing and victory. You can claim your needs through praise.
• Praise is a weapon of warfare that can never fail.
• Powerful praise wins the favour of God to act on your behalf.

Hindrances to Praise
The main hindrance to praise is sin (Isaiah 59:1-3, Amos 5:23). Learn to live a holy life and let Jesus be the centre of your life. Put away every hindrance and enjoy the power of praise.

Praise God when every human effort has failed; when there is need for divine intervention and in times of happiness and trouble. You will never expire; rather, you will win battles of life in season and out of season. Praise will surely bring down God’s hand and the power on your behalf.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Very Rev. Dr. Isaac Udoh (KCW, JP), Conference Music Coordinator, Methodist Church Nigeria/a Knight of Charles Wesley, and a Presbyter in Methodist Church Nigeria presiding English Service at Groves Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Ekpene Diocese. Currently, Head, Department of Music, University of Uyo, Uyo. isesudoh@yahoo.com 08037800907