Even so, we rarely see the powerful results we should because, in most cases, the voices of the people are in harmony, but their hearts are not. For the power of God to be manifested, those gathered must be in one accord.
In 2 Chronicles chapter five, we see that when Israel came together for the dedication of Solomon's temple, they lifted up their voices in one accord, and the glory cloud rolled into the house:
And it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to their divisions),This is the very reason that it is so important that the music ministry be in one accord, as well as those gathered corporately. Great power is available when God's people worship in real unity.
and the Levites who were the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets—
indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying:
"For He is good, for His mercy endures forever," that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
(2 Chron. 5:11-14 NKJV)
According to 1 Timothy 3:15, there is a way to behave in the house of God. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
How were the people behaving when the glory cloud rolled in? They were worshipping and praising God in one accord. That's how we're to behave in the house of God. You won't see the manifest presence of God if part of the people are praising in one accord and others are thinking about the roast they have at home in the oven.
Another example of unified worship is found in Acts 16:25: "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."
Here, we find Paul and Silas in a critical situation. They'd been beaten and imprisoned. It was truly a midnight hour for them. Certainly they needed to pray. But I want you to notice that they didn't stop at prayer.
The Bible says that they prayed and sang praises. Often people will pray, and pray, and pray and pray. But Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises.
Do you know what happened as they praised God together in that jail? God sent an earthquake! It shook all the doors open, and everyone's bands were loosed. Their feet were in stocks, but the earthquake set them free.
There are times when we need nothing more than to pray and praise, because that's the combination that will bring down the power of God and set us free.
by Lynne Hammond & Patsy Cameneti
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers