Acts 16:25-26. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose”
Throughout the bible we find examples of God’s presence being ushered in by the praise of His people. The pattern is common enough for us to conclude that, generally speaking, praise is a prerequisite for the presence of God. This is not absolute, of course, because God is sovereign, accountable to no one except Himself, and works in whatever way suits His purpose.
In general, however, God does not visit His people with His presence without their first lifting up His praise. We do not invite God’s presence in or even pray His presence in, as much as we praise His presence into a place. This is a principle by which God Himself has chosen to work. Once, in the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas found themselves thrown into jail on trumped up charges by the owners of a slave girl who had made her masters a lot of money fortune telling until Paul cast the demon out of her. Stripped, severely beaten, and with their feet locked in stocks, the two missionaries were not in a conducive environment for God’s presence. So they decided to create their own. Paul and Silas were praying and singing praise songs to the Lord when His presence came down and shook the foundations of the prison.
Clearly, praise was present in the prison before the presence of the Lord came down! Through praise Paul and Silas turned their prison into an “Eden” of God’s presence. As a result that same night the jailer and his entire family were saved. Praise is a prerequisite for God’s presence. Therefore, don’t hold back on your praise to God. He deserves our praise and worship for all that he has done for us – Praise Him! Remember, without praise there is not presence, and with presence there is no worship.
Much Love,
Because He Is -I am
Presider
