“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” ~ Acts 16: 25-26
First of all, I want you to understand that Paul and Silas were chained up in a Philippian jail. Then I want you to notice what they were doing. They were singing and praising God. Now, look at what those hardened criminals were doing. They were listening to them sing and pray. The audacity and faithfulness of their devotion to God in such dire circumstances did not go unnoticed by their fellow prisoners. They were wide awake and listening.
Maybe Paul and Silas’ unrestrained and unbridled praise and worship service relieved the burdens of the other prisoners who were sitting or lying down waiting for their judgment to fall. But watch this now, then “…suddenly there was a great earthquake…and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” The chains that bound them fell off. The cell door that held them in swung open. They were free.
Do you want to be free today? Do you want your chains gone? Do you want a new start at life? Begin with praise and thanksgiving. Your praise and worship will change everything. What you cannot change for yourself WILL change through praise, prayer, and thanksgiving.
Heavenly Father, help us to be consistent, determined, and fully persuaded about the things of God. Standing on Your promises, praying always, and never giving up before we receive an answer from You. Let Your praise never end or stay hidden in our mouth. Give us boldness and confidence to praise you in every situation, no matter who may be listening. Help us to have the mindset that whoever is listening may be freed as a result of our praise. Thank You, Father, for Your faithfulness and love.
In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
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