Many Christians don’t pray aloud anymore, and this is one of the reasons we are seeing fewer demonstrations of power among us. During the first service I attended at RCCG, we were asked to shout hallelujah, and the fellow beside me shouted so loudly that I almost ran out of the church. Where there is power, there must be noise. The Concorde, a plane that could take you from London to New York in about three hours, was grounded partly because people said it was noisy. With its powerful engine, it was bound to be noisy.

These days, many Christians have to be cajoled to shout ‘hallelujah’. I remember many years ago when I was asked to preach during a Christmas carol at Aso Rock, and all the high and mighty were there. When I asked them to shout hallelujah, they shouted like sophisticated ladies and gentlemen, until I said, “The next fellow to shout hallelujah is the only one who will see the new year.” This time around, they really shouted. Real Christians do not have to be threatened to praise their Father.

Many years ago, I was walking and praying within Redemption City in the middle of the night, hungry and thirsty for the power of God. I had been crying, “Lord, I told You from the beginning that I don’t want to be ordinary. I was serving You as much as I could when I was still lecturing at the university, making some money to do Your work, but you pulled me out. Now, You have made me a General Overseer, and I lack the power to do the work that must be done. Father, either empower me or take me home.” As I prayed, the ground under my feet shook violently. There was an earthquake that was felt from as far as Ijebu-Ode – it was in the newspapers. An earthquake is not quiet. Noise is necessary for power; stop trying not to be noisy. Don’t hinder the move of God with your so-called sophistication.

I am at a point in my life where I need other people to carry more fire than me so that when I am leaving, I will know that I am leaving commandoes behind that will take the work of God farther than I did. Stop forming, as the youths will say, when you are in the presence of God. Be free to make a loud noise that will shut the devil out and let the power of God flow.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.