PREVAILING PRAYER AND PRAISE

“And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed” – Acts 16:26

As we meditate on the Perfections of Praise, let’s establish the Truth of PREVAILING PRAYER and PRAISE: ““But at 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 every one's bands were loosed” (Acts 16:25-26). The Prison was shaken to its very foundation through Prayer and Praise. Prison doors were shattered through Prayer and Praise. Bands and bondages were broken through Prayer and Praise. And an entire household – several souls – were saved through the combined effects of Prayer and Praise!

This text records how Paul and Silas went through the cities of Macedonia in response to the vision of a heavenly invitation (vv.9-10). Not long after they had arrived Philippi, the missionary pair were unjustly arrested for casting a religious spirit of divination out of a young girl and thereby debarring her masters of their illicit gain (vv.16-18). These merchants of witchcraft in alliance with the local Philippian authorities, stirred up the multitudes, accused Paul and Silas falsely, beat them and then threw them into a jail cell. Besides the trauma of the severe beating, they were fastened in stocks which clamped their arms and legs in an immobile position, which might have causing cramps and loss of blood circulation (v.24).

The prison atmosphere was acutely depressing. By the standards of that day, a prison was more like a dungeon: dark, damp, stench-ridden place, with no waste facility or comfort of any kind. This was the platform of Praise for Paul and Silas! In spite of the throbbing pain in their bodies and the hostile atmosphere, at midnight Paul and Silas were heard praying and singing praises to God! What a strange sound this must have been to the other prisoners, who were used to hearing groans or cursing of the tortured. Then suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison! The doors flung open, and amazingly, the bonds of Paul, Silas, and other prisoners were broken! This mighty discharge of power came through Prayer and Praise!

Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above their troubles, and access God’s Presence and Power. Through praise and worship their hearts were raised into the joyous Presence and Peace of God, providing a channel for His power to operate in their circumstances. God inhabits in the praises of His people (Psa. 22:3). He “dwells” in the atmosphere of Praise. This implies that Praise is not merely a reaction to experiencing His Presence –it is a vehicle of faith which brings us into God’s Presence! Praise is the “gate-pass” into the sacredness of His glory. The Psalmist writes, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psa. 100:4).

Paul and Silas seemed to have everything going wrong for them, but they experienced supernatural deliverance. They knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above the troubles and enter into God’s Presence and Power. Through Praise and Worship, their hearts were raised into a joyous presence and peace of God, and provided God a channel for His power to operate in their circumstances. They did not focus on their surroundings, but on God who delivers has a supernatural solution to every situation. The pair praised God in the worst of situations. They proved that praising God does not depend on circumstances, knowing that God was working out all things for their good (Rom.8:28).

Praise to God is a vehicle of faith into God’s Presence and Power. It is the gate pass which allows us to enter the sacredness of His glory. Beloved, what current challenges are you encountering? Even if you’re facing the lowest chapter ever in life, with the right spirit exemplified in an attitude of gratitude and a lifestyle of praise, your deliverance is guaranteed.