A PRISON CRUSADE
- DAY 338
- FAITH FILE: PAUL AND SILAS
- SCRIPTURES: ACTS 16:23-26
“And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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 chains were loosed.”
Acts 16:23-26 NKJV
In our text today, this amazing duo, Paul and Silas, were seized and arrested for doing the Lord’s work. They meddled with the livelihood of some greedy men, who used the demon-possession of an innocent girl to make a profit. When Paul cast out the foul spirit from the girl, they accused them of causing trouble, tore their clothes, beat them and locked them up.
In prison these Apostles, who had aching bodies and tight chains, started to pray and worship God. The bible does not record that they were praying to be freed. I believe that this was their custom. They were used to praying at that hour. Wherever they were didn’t make a difference. The chains or prison bars didn’t hinder thier devotion. They lifted their voice without fear and sang praises to God.
You have to be courageous to sing and prayer when life situations has you bound. In the darkest hours of life, it is faith in God that will make you disregard how you feel and still sing in the midst of it all. Sing loud and pray loud like you are not even bound.
If you believe, though erroneously, that you are under any curse, spell or limitation in life, try singing at midnight consistently and see what God will do. For these apostles, their praise led to an earthquake that delivered not just them but everyone in there that day. Could it be that they were arrested because somebody in that prison needed salvation?
Beloved, God can use your prison experiences but you will have to resolve within yourself that even in the depths of despair you will find a prayer and a praise.
May the Lord strengthen your heart at all times in Jesus’ name.
Shalom
