Praying and singing hymns to God.

Acts 16:25-31, 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. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

The passage is well worth reading in its entirety for the clear presentation of how to be saved. But we focus instead on what lead up to this, for Paul and Silas, being Roman citizens, were first of all wrongly imprisoned and could easily have taken every opportunity to complain and rail against the jailer! Instead, they turn the jail cell into a prayer closet and bring forth the sound of joy in worship for all to hear. They had no idea that an earthquake would set them free, and rather than sitting around complaining as we are sometimes wont to do, they were attesting to the power of God at work in them! Today was an interesting case in point, as I was blocked by traffic from going to a place I visit do do some of my writings, and instead stopped here. A friend had the same problem, and we discovered an opportunity to pray together for one of our brothers who is really under stress in business! Who knows how God might use our circumstances for us to be his witnesses today?

Keep us aware of your leading and guiding in every circumstance; may we praise your name that you may receive all glory and honor!

ESV Lectionary