Victory Through Praise and Singing

Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 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. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them, and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.  Acts 17:22-34

 

Father in heaven, we come before Your presence with praise and thanksgiving for Your mercy and Your truth which endures to all generations. Thank You that this experience of Silas and Paul was recorded for our learning, comfort and hope.

Thank You that the power which opened prison doors and broke  stocks and chains is available to us today in Your word through Jesus our Victor, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. We come before You as we are, wounded in various ways, imprisoned by false believes and distorted thinking patterns and shackled with chains. We look to Jesus to break the chains of depression, anxiety, compulsions, self-pity and selfishness, complaining and arguing, addictions, anger, criticism and gossip, bitterness and unforgiveness. Thank You that He washes and heals our wounds and sets before us the food of Your word.

We rejoice and praise You that, through our wounds, suffering, trials and affliction, You can work things for the good of others as you did with the jailer and his whole household.

We believe according to Your word. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

 

Supporting Verses

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5

 

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

 

Let the saints be joyful in glory;

Let them sing aloud on their on their beds.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,

And a two- edged sword in their hand.

Psalm 149:5-6

 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:17-18