I pray before I play as well. I really do think that when you are operating under the anointing, that you can reach people on a whole 'nother level. A lot of times, people operate out of self, and it shows. They may play wonderfully, but thats all the glory right there... as the word says, they have received their reward. But those who can play for God. Unto God, and only for God, with an instrument as loud and shattering as the drums, you can still hit people on that level. God will get glory, and you reep the blessings that follow.