“About 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 everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”
Acts 16:25-26 ESV
Have you ever worshipped and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever had “God” bumps go up your arm while worshipping. There is an amazing effect that worship has when we are focused on worshipping Him. True worshippers get God’s attention.
Paul and Silas were put in the inner prison with a guard watching to make sure they didn’t escape. They were imprisoned while they were traveling around preaching when they encountered a demon-possessed fortune-teller who was working as a slave. After commanding the demon out of her, the men who were profiting from her work knew their crooked business was over and sought to have Paul and Silas taken away. They were beaten and chained up.
While in prison, they didn’t cry and complain, they worshipped. They sang hymns to God. They were praising God while they were suffering. And suddenly it happened. The foundations began to shake and the doors were opened and the chains fell off. They worshipped and got God’s attention. God set them free. God fought their battle. They worshipped during a time that most people could not.
True worship has a lasting effect on the world. True worshippers make a difference. When we find ourselves in difficult and disastrous situations we need to turn our eyes to God and worship Him. God can change the whole situation and turn it around for His glory. God seeks to find people who are true worshippers.
Lord, make me a true worshipper. Give me a heart of praise and joy. Help me to know I can turn to You when I’m in trouble.
