"After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 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 16:23-26 (NIV)
These words were recorded, under the influence and direction of The Holy Spirit of God, by Luke, the physician and travelling companion of the Apostle Paul. Having been thrown into prison for removing the demon spirit from a slave girl, which allowed her to predict the future. (Acts 16:16) The owners of the slave girl earned a great deal of money because of her unique ability, and they were not happy with Paul and Silas for ending their source of income. They seized Paul and Silas, turned them over to the authorities for conducting unlawful activities. (Acts 16:19-21)
In spite of their situation and circumstances, being falsely accused, in prison, physically beaten, and locked in the stocks and chains, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God. In their darkest hour, they praised God. Their prayers were heard, things began to shake, and their chains came loose, along with the chains of all who were in prison with them. The jailer was so impressed that he asked them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Then he led them out of the prison to his house, and all in his household were saved. (Acts 16:30-33) The world is watching to see how believers respond to the events of life. They make judgments about all believers based upon our behavior. We are representatives of The Lord God on earth, and we never know who is watching us, or what effect our behavior will have upon them. Therefore, it behooves us to always act and speak in a Christ-like manner. There is power in prayer and in praising God, chains can be broken and doors can be opened. We ought to do both more often, and we ought to give God the glory for the good things which result from our prayers and praise.
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