The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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 loosened. Acts 16:22 WEBA girl with a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas around the city of Philippi for many days. She discerned that they were God's messengers, and she told the people about them, but her words came from an evil source. Paul became 'greatly annoyed' and commanded the evil spirit to leave her. It did, and that is when the fight started.
Paul and Silas were beaten by the mob, then they were dragged through the streets, had their clothes torn off, and then beaten some more with rods. After this they were thrown into a cold dark prison and their feet locked in stocks. They had confronted the kingdom of darkness and then faced a counterattack from the enemy, who worked through his people just as God works through His.
Paul and Silas were in a tight spot. If there was ever a reason to complain, they had one. They had done nothing wrong to begin with, but this is a spiritual war. Instead of complaining, they prayed and sang hymns to God and soon their captivity was changed. In fact, they led some of the people in the jail to the Lord and the magistrates then came and apologized to them. It was a victory. They faced adversity with the right attitude, they overcame, and they led people to Jesus.
When the going gets tough, it is easy to throw up your hands and say, "I have had enough! Why serve God any longer? It brings me nothing but more trouble.' Yet this is not a time for wandering away, it is a time of drawing closer. We are in a battle and God is our refuge in our time of trouble. We should pray more, not less. When the going gets tough, the tough start praying and singing praises to God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please teach me Your truth and help me to see what You see. Help me to find my place in the body and put me where I will make the most impact for You. Here I am Lord, use me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people" (Ephesians 6:18). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page:
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Amen
Amen!!
Amen
Good Morning Amen
Amen. Use me Dear Lord. I am always Faithful to you no matter the situation. God is with me always. Amen
Lord use all your righteous children to pray for all the strife going on with our country. We are in a spiritual warfare with evil against good. Let your people see this and put in all into your hands. Heal our country Lord, and give wisdom and courage to those who you trust. Amen
Amen
I LOVE that line, "When the going gets tough, the tough start praying!" That should be a bumper sticker. Thanks so much, Pastor Dion!
Lead us for your glory Jesus,you are wonderful. Amen
Your will be done Father, Amen!
Thank u for encouraging words. I've wanted to escape my issues which were not my doing many times but my heart won't let me. Thank you God. Help me persevere. In the name of Jesus Amen
Amen! Thank You Lord!
Amen Lord Jesus!!
Heavenly Father help and protect us from the things that are affecting this world, we need You more than ever. Lead us to see through Your eyes for the solution. I am here oh Lord, use us as You wish, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Awesome devotional Pastor, God bless you both.
Amen!
Amen and Amen and Amen!!! Praising the Lord with uplifted hands and hearts!!! "He sticks closer than a brother or sister, He is always there!!!"
Amen to that! I'm here to testify that praying, praising and singing to Father God truly has worked in my life time and again! Like King David said,"The greatest and acceptable sacrifice we can give to God is praise to Him out of our heart and from our own mouth." Praise the Lord God Almighty! He is the Maker of the heavens and Earth, of creatures both great and small! He has the power over life and death, the power over our souls!
AMEN