About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. – Acts 16:25
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to pray when life feels heavy, but how rarely we think to sing? Paul and Silas show us a different way. Even in chains, they lifted their voices in prayer and song.
Prayers and Songs in the Dark
Paul and Silas had been beaten, whipped, and thrown into a filthy prison cell. Their bodies ached, their stomachs were empty, and their feet were bound in stocks. Most people in that moment would cry out for help or curse their situation. But instead, these two followers of Jesus prayed and sang hymns to God. They glorified the Lord right there in the deepest suffering.
Praise That Cannot Be Silenced
Hymns are songs that honor God. By singing, Paul and Silas declared that His grace and love were greater than any chains. Their voices carried through the prison, reaching fellow prisoners and even the jailer. Imagine hearing songs of hope and thanksgiving echoing from the darkness. Their worship became a testimony of God’s presence that could not be silenced by pain or confinement.
A Call for Us Today
We often turn to prayer when we are sick, anxious, or treated unfairly. Yet how often do we sing? Praise lifts our hearts and reminds us of God’s goodness in every circumstance. Paul and Silas teach us that even in the hardest places, worship has power. Let’s follow their example and choose both prayer and song, no matter what we face.