How can you incorporate communal praise in your church, as seen in 20:27? Scriptural Snapshot “Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned safely to Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat leading them, rejoicing because the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.” — 2 Chronicles 20:27 What Communal Praise Looked Like in Jehoshaphat’s Day • United assembly: “All Judah was standing before the LORD” (20:13). • Leadership involvement: Jehoshaphat “stood and said” (20:20), then “led them” home (20:27). • Vocal worship: Singers were appointed “to praise the LORD in the splendor of His holiness” (20:21). • Visible joy: They returned “rejoicing” (20:27). • God-centered focus: Every word and action pointed to “the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever” (20:21). Timeless Principles Behind Their Praise • Praise is congregational, not merely individual (Psalm 95:1-2). • Praise follows a victory already won by God (Exodus 15:1-2). • Praise is led; it doesn’t simply happen (Nehemiah 12:27-31). • Praise overflows with joy that God Himself supplies (John 16:22). • Praise becomes a testimony to onlookers (Acts 2:46-47). Bringing Communal Praise Into Your Church 1. Start with Scripture – Read a short, victory-focused passage aloud (e.g., Psalm 100). 2. Appoint Visible Leaders – Pastors, elders, choir directors, band leaders model wholehearted praise. 3. Use Call-and-Response Moments – Leader: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.” – Congregation: “For His loving devotion endures forever!” (Psalm 136:1). 4. Celebrate Specific Victories – Salvations, baptisms, answered prayers, mission reports. – After each testimony, the whole church joins in a song of thanks. 5. Incorporate Processional or Recessional Praise – Begin or end the service by walking together while singing, echoing the return to Jerusalem (20:27). 6. Keep the Focus Vertical – Lyrics rich in God’s attributes and deeds (Colossians 3:16). 7. Encourage Physical Expression – Clapping, raised hands, or kneeling as biblical, unified acts (Psalm 134:2). 8. Sustain the Joy Beyond Sunday – Small groups open meetings with a shared hymn or psalm. – Families rehearse the Sunday songs during the week (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Suggested Order of Service Highlighting Communal Praise • Gathering song of victory (e.g., “A Mighty Fortress”). • Scripture reading: 2 Chronicles 20:20-30. • Testimony or ministry update. • Responsive reading: Psalm 118:19-29. • Corporate hymn/chorus of thanksgiving. • Sermon: God’s faithfulness in battle. • Recessional praise march around the sanctuary while singing Psalm 150. Lifelong Habits That Foster a Culture of Praise • Memorize praise psalms together (Psalm 103). • Keep a written “book of remembrance” of answered prayers (Malachi 3:16). • Teach children songs that exalt God’s mighty acts (Psalm 145:4). • Schedule periodic “nights of praise” where music fills the entire gathering time. • Encourage spontaneous doxology whenever God answers in a visible way (Hebrews 13:15). Closing Encouragement When the assembly lifts one voice, heaven hears and the watching world notices. Just as Judah returned home rejoicing, a church that practices intentional, Scripture-rooted communal praise will carry God-given joy far beyond its walls and into everyday life. |
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