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 everyone’s chains came loose. Acts 16:25-26
“Instead of complaining or calling on God to judge their enemies, the two men prayed and praised God. When you are in pain, the midnight hour is not the easiest time for a sacred concert, but God gives “songs in the night” (Job 35:10; also see Ps. 42:8).
“Any fool can sing in the day,” said Charles Haddon Spurgeon. “It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but the skilful stager is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by … Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of men.”
Prayer and praise are powerful weapons (2 Chron. 20:1–22; Acts 4:23–37). God responded by shaking the foundations of the prison, opening all the doors, and loosening the prisoners’ bonds. They could have fled to freedom, but instead they remained right where they were.”
Warren Wiersbe in Commentary on Acts, 374. I am soaking in this text, Acts 16, as I feel like I have lived it in Africa.
One minute Paul and Silas thought they were going to Asia, then God deployed them to Macedonia. They ministered faithfully and yet they found themselves in prison. At midnight, in their darkest hour, they prayed and praised God. This is the last thing onlookers would have likely expected, but precisely what we must do.
I am on my way home, reflecting on the trip. Related to generosity, I am thankful for God’s generous outpouring of grace on my life, which enabled me to have patience daily and to suffer an unforgettable five-hour border experience. My African brother said that what touched him most was willingness to endure suffering without opening my mouth.
Anyone who knows me well knows what a miracle that is. Thanks God. Each of us might hope that what we do or say related to generosity touches people the most. But, in reality, I am learning, it is how we love and serve that touches them the most deeply. If you want to grow, pray daily for grace. That’s what I did on this trip.
When this posts I will be somewhere over the Atlantic. Allow me a moment of vulnerability. Before the trip, I had hoped to reach the goal of raising $75,000 at GTP to add staff. Our team is stretched to the limit. It did not happen. I feel like I am sitting in the dark. Do find yourself sitting in the dark? Take time to pray and praise!
Whilst I have been traveling, the needle has not moved much. So, before I board my flight, I am choosing to pray and praise. Join me. Pray with me for the remaining $13,225 USD. Click here to learn more. For the next 16 hours over the Atlantic, I resolve to wait on God and praise Him in the night.