PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN THE MIDST OF PAIN AND PERSECUTION.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25).
After Paul and Silas were beaten and disgraced before the crowd, they were imprisoned. Despite the beating and their imprisonment, Paul and Silas used the occasion to worship God, and in the quiet of the night, we find them praying and singing hymns to God.
Even though it was close to midnight, their behavior was not unobserved because the other prisoners were listening. Worship that next door people listen to without complaining. We are challenged not to change our Christian nature and behavior because of challenges. Believers should display joy and thanksgiving despite their circumstances. We do not change like weather, we are consistent in our character in good seasons and in bad seasons.
This was not an hour of prayer, but at midnight, it was not in the house of prayer but in a dungeon yet it was reasonable to pray and the praise was accepted. It was in the dark and in a dungeon, pointing out to the fact that out of the depths we may cry unto God. No place, no time, amiss for prayer, if the heart is lifted up to God.
Those that are companions in suffering should join hearts in prayer. No trouble, how grievous should ever hinder us from praising God. Though they knew the prisoners would hear them praising, yet they sang aloud as those that were not ashamed of their Master nor of His service.
There was an earthquake and all prison doors opened. Paul and Silas needed a single door but all the prison doors opened. When we give praise to the Lord, even doors we had put to the back of our mind and the forgotten doors will open. The persecutors wanted to stop the progress of the propagation of the Gospel that no more might embrace it. Without delay the jailer and his entire household gave their lives to Christ and some prisoners.
When we pray and give praises to God, what the enemy is trying to stop in our lives will manifest in a great measure. Try to praise and worship and make it part of your life, honest and holy praise to the Lord, He will not ignore.
To God be the glory
Rev B Chinhara
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