Praise Works Wonders

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were
listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All
the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”

Acts 16:25-26 (NLT)

In these ever-changing times, we look beyond what we are going through and we see God
breaking through. In the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 16:16-40, we read of Paul and Silas, who
were beaten and thrown into jail without a trial. With their feet locked in prison stocks and
their bodies detained in the inner dungeon of the prison, both Paul and Silas raised their voices
in song giving praise to God. The powerful vibration of their voices caused the foundation of the
prison that held them to shake, quake and break up. The prison doors were unlocked and they
were set free by the same officials who previously condemned them. The song of praise in our
heart and the power of God moving in our voice will free us, too.

In the midst of life’s circumstances, including COVID-19, we, too, can raise our voices giving glory
to God, alone, as the power to endure, to overcome and to turn the tide on every issue. We
know that being locked up at home doesn’t mean that God is locked out of our lives. The
freeing power of God, the joy of God, the wisdom of God, the sufficiency of God, the love of
God, the healing presence of God and the all-provision of God is always present and never
absent.

Let’s lift our voices of praise and watch as every chain that seeks to bind us is broken. Let’s give
thanks as feelings of depression, grief and loss leave us and feelings of love, peace, and
sufficiency wash over us. We lift our hands and give thanks that God’s ever-present presence
abides and is taking care of us. On the dawn of this new day, we remember to keep words of
praise on our lips and to unleash the power in our voice that assures us that ALL is well, now
and here. All is well.

Every Blessing,
Rev. Sheila