When we are surrounded by the enemies of truth and it seems that evil alliances are ruling the day, it is too easy to forget our most important weapon in spiritual warfare – worship. Worship can become just another item on our spiritual checklist reducing worship to a passing duty we perform to move on to engage the “real” battle. That reasoning has been a critical error for many who failed to see the power and potential for change that worship releases.

When Jerusalem faced an alliance of nations set out to destroy God’s people, Jehoshaphat was king. He went into the courtyard of the temple to pray and plead for help from the Lord. “We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We don’t know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (II Chronicles 20:12).

As the entire nation joined Jehoshaphat and stood before the Lord, the Spirit came upon a man named Jahaziel, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (vs.15). Jahaziel continued prophesying, “But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory” (vs. 17)

As the people assembled on the battlefield, Jehoshaphat charged them, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” (vs.20). Jehoshaphat then instructed singers to walk ahead of the army singing songs of praise to the Lord praising him for his holy splendor. When the worship started, a miracle took place, “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves” (vs. 22).

The victory was so complete it took days to gather the plunder from the battlefield. On the fourth day when they had finished collecting the plunder, “They gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today” (vs. 26). The victory was so impactful it renamed the battlefield.

When the late Jack Hayford was asked what he would do if he had only ten minutes to pray for a difficult decision, he said he would worship for nine minutes and pray for one. Worship is the top priority of those who are facing impossible odds that challenge their faith and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Without worship there is no victory.