The Power of Prayer and Praise

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16:25 KJV

Paul and Silas’ prayers and praises followed the abuse they suffered at the hands of others and preceded God’s redemptive work in their situation. They were voiced in the darkness of prison cells and coupled with the physical pain they still felt from a beating. They had no control over what had just happened to them but they had major choices to make as to how they would respond to such treatment.

We are not given the details of their prayers but my imagination is awakened as I think about the possibilities. Could it be they prayed for the very ones who had just mistreated them? Possibly Jesus’ prayer to His Father as He suffered on the cross became their prayer with their feet in fetters, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” They may have asked that the spiritual blindness of their persecutors’ hearts be removed so they could hear, understand, and receive the gift of salvation. They may have also prayed for fellow believers to stay strong in the midst of their own persecution. That they would not grow weary in well doing and would not become discouraged and quit. They may have prayed for grace for themselves and the ability to love the very ones who had hurt them. I do not believe vengeance or hatred found a place in their hearts or their prayers.

Songs of praise! They did not have the hymns or praise music that is so readily available to us today. Maybe they buried themselves in the many Psalms that David had written. Surely the words reflected the many attributes of God. They would have been the equivalent of our present day How Great Thou Art, I Need Thee Every Hour, Awesome God, Draw Me Close to You, and You’re Still God. Their prayers and songs of praise had an audience with God as well as the other prisoners. Oh that we would see the same in our own situations.

Freedom in the midst of difficulties is ours to embrace when we follow the example of these two men. Choosing to pray for all involved and voice our praises to God is the only thing that keeps us afloat in the storms of life. I am miserable when I give in to the enemy’s suggestions of condemnation, self pity, and bitterness. I would much rather don the garments of praise when faced with a spirit of heaviness then clothe myself with that which would defeat me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Does it mean I won’t feel the sting of life in all of this? Absolutely not! It simply means I will become receptive to the healing balm of a gentle Savior.

Father, nothing compares to the power of prayer and praise in the midst of pain, heartache, and loss. Continue to do your redemptive work in me as I lift my voice, hands, and face to You. Amen.