Acts 16:26 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.
Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel in Macedonia and the town of Philippi, situated in northeastern Greece. There was a slave girl with the spirit of divination/fortune-telling who followed Paul, shouting and chanting “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved” (vs 17). Paul knew that she was not speaking out of discernment but it was the spirit of divination bantering, and he was annoyed. He turned around and rebuked the spirit and the fortune-telling spirit left her. The owners of the slave girl who were making money using this spirit of divination realized that she had been delivered and that their money-making means was lost. Hence they attacked Paul and Silas. They arrested, flogged and threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. Paul and Silas were arrested and assaulted until they were black and blue, yet they were singing hymns in the high security prison. While they were praising the Lord, suddenly an earthquake shook the foundation of the prison and the prison doors flew open!
The weapon to overpower spiritual attack, false accusation or humiliation is “praise”. Paul and Silas did not question the Lord nor did they sulk or gripe. They were praying and praising the Lord and the prisoners were listening to them in awe (vs 25). Pray, praise and proclaim the goodness of God to experience prison doors of bondage, suppression and oppression break open.
Prison Doors:
1. Pray: The prison that you and I are in is only a temporary test. Prayer will shatter the prison doors.
2. Praise: Praise is an invitation for the angel armies to invade into the inner, high security isolated dungeon. Praise will shake the foundations of the prison of addiction, anorexia and animosity.
3. Proclaim: Paul used the opportunity to preach to the prisoners. The way we go through pain is the most profound sermon we can preach. Turn the prison into a pulpit.
Prison doors will fly open when we pray, praise and proclaim His name.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I will shake the foundation of the prison with my praise. Amen.
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