"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose." Acts 16:25,26.
Paul and Silas were peaceful men who had committed no crime yet were put in maximum-security prison designed for holding dangerous criminals. They were stripped, beaten, and jailed but despite the dismal situation there were two things that the enemy could not do: 'stop them from praying' and 'silence their praise.'
They prayed and sang while the other prisoners listened. The salvation of others around them depended on how they reacted in time of trouble. They were professed Christians who were being unjustly mistreated. They had some choices to make. They could curse, hate, and get bitter or they could take it to the Lord in prayer and praise Him for the expected results. No wonder God encourages us, "In everything give thanks." When you are thanking God in every circumstance it makes it impossible for you to have negative thoughts or speech. We do not thank Him for the situation but inthe situation.
When we thank Him, He responds with help, hope and deliverance. Not only was Paul and Silas set free, but the jailer who heard them praying, praising, and seeing the evidence of God in their lives, also received salvation along with all members of his family. God will turn around a bad situation for his glory when you keep praying and praising Him amid the circumstances.
Kingdom Declaration:
I will praise God in all circumstances so that His manifested glory can be seen in and through me.
@Dr Pat Francis
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