Part 1: Prayer leads to Worship

This is part 1 of a two part study on worship that is focused on prayer, worship, and power.  I want to take a look at 2 Chronicles 20:1-23, where we see Jehoshaphat preparing for battle.  There are three elements that stand out to me in these verses.  There is prayer, worship, and liberation. 

Jehoshaphat Reigned in Judah and "the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David.  He did not seek the Baals" (17:3).  He served and loved the Lord.  He had "great riches and honor", and "His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord" (17:5-6).  Jehoshaphat had every opportunity to become a prideful king in any situation that confronted him. 

In Chapter 20, Jehoshaphat is being challenged into battle by what his men called "a great multitude of people".  His first reaction was to seek help from the Lord through a time of fasting and prayer.  He had a prayer meeting with his community to seek the Lord.  During this prayer meeting the "Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel" (20:14).   Jahaziel quickly shared what the Lord had revealed to him that He is with them--that this great battle was "not theirs but Gods" (20:15).  Judah was strengthened and they went into a time of worshipping the Lord.  We are told that Jehoshaphat "bowed his head with his face to the ground" (20:18), to worship the Lord.  Still others lifted their voices in a "very loud voice" (20:19), in praise.

Up to this point, here is what has happened:  Jehoshaphat, through his time of prayer, was reminded of God's promises and they entered into worship.  The process was prayer, hearing from God, then worshiping. We MUST take away from Jehoshaphat's wisdom and example.  Most of us know this simple process, but it's not practiced enough.
 
As Christ-followers and worship leaders we get in a comfortable routine of singing, and calling it worship.  I can lead a time of singing to the Lord with little thought or preparation, but I can't lead true worship without first praying to the Lord.  Just like what Jehoshaphat experienced,  our meetings will enable the Spirit to move on people and us if we first cry out to God.

John Killinger, in his chapter called "The Intangible Side of Worship" said, "Everything we do--the preparation of worship as well as its execution--should be an offering to God.  If this is true for both pastor and people in worship, the separate items of the liturgy become a holy dance in which we whirl round and round with the Spirit. Something truly miraculous happens--a theophany."

True worship must be superseded by first a time of focused prayer.  It's impossible to get God's heart, ideas, vision, perspective, compassion, and love if we don't pick up the phone and call him.  Jehoshaphat found peace, freedom, and a true reason to worship through seeking the Lord.  Prayer before worship must be a priority.