About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, ‭‭Acts‬ ‭16:25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many believers have wrong assumptions of what it means to praise and worship God. They assume:

1. Praise and worship is something you do only at church. 
2. Praise and worship is something you do only when things are going well in life. 
3. Praise and worship is something for people who are musically inclined. 

Paul and Silas understood that worship and praise, combined with prayer, are powerful forces that pierce spiritual darkness, catalyzing the breakthrough of God’s will to be established on earth as it is in heaven!

Having been arrested, beaten, and confined to the deepest, darkest part of the prison, Paul and Silas lifted their voices to sing and to pray. 

By the end of the story they were released from prison, but, make no mistake, Paul and Silas were free before they were ever released from prison! 

God created you to sing! He put a new song in your mouth- a song of praise! (Psalm 40:3) 

1. Praise and worship is the daily practice of the believer! Sing out! 
2. Praise and worship is a decision, not an emotion. Even (especially!) when things aren’t going well for you, lift up a song of praise and watch God change things!
3. Praise and worship is NOT about musical skill, but sincere gratitude! Even if it’s off key, sing out! (Just don’t sign up for the worship team or American Idol.)

What prison has you confined? Depression? Debt? Discouragement? Fear? Physical ailment?

Lift up a song of praise to the God who has delivered you. He is good. He is worthy. He is mighty!

And, don’t forget, other prisoners are listening. Other people need hope. Songs from prison cells are the most beautiful of all.