RELEASE YOUR PRAISE JUST WHERE YOU ARE

Pastor Pitchou Khalala, ANFGC, Montreal
After they [Paul and Silas] had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison ... About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. Acts 16:23-26

In Acts 16, we read how Paul and Silas were severely beaten and locked up in an inner prison; yet at midnight, began to praise God. Why were they singing at midnight, instead of sleeping? I believe the pain kept them wide awake. But Paul and Silas chose to do what the other prisoners didn’t: they prayed and sang hymns in the midst of their pain.

The beating

According to custom, the soldier would scourge (or whip) a prisoner before he was put to jail or put to death. The whip was short. It consisted of two or three leather ropes connected to a handle; the ropes were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, usually zinc and iron, attached at various intervals. Scourging would quickly remove skin and create open wounds. Yet, despite these injuries, Paul and Silas were able to sing at midnight.

It’s time to sing

After you have been mistreated, taken advantage of, blamed or insulted, the tendency is to cry. There is no desire to sing, as your situation has taken control of your ability to praise. But know this, whoever controls your thanksgiving and praise will control your productivity. This year, start to sing where you are. Don’t wait for your location or circumstances to change – just begin to sing. When the midnight hour comes, and the pain of your situation revisits you, sing. Paul and Silas prayed and sang in the darkest hour of their trials. The other prisoners were shocked, because nobody thought hymns could come out of that type of environment.

These guys had hope. You need to carry hope that your God will come through for you in spite of the series of trials and tribulation that you are facing. You can shed some tears, but you need to have hoped that one day your God will show up. It is not the end for you. You may be wondering how I can ask you to lift up your voice and sing; how I can expect you to give God praise when you are in such pain. You have no strength left. You’re tired from being beaten down; you haven’t done anything wrong. You may also be wondering if God can really see what you’re going through.

I remember when I had a surgery on my left shoulder; there was no pain during the day. However, when night came and I was ready to sleep, the pain was absolutely excruciating. It is at our darkest hour that we need to remember our God and approach him through prayer and praise. These are the only activities that can help you stand in the darkest moment of life.

Cause an earthquake with your praise

Your praise in the dark moment will bring about an earthquake. Christians who can forget the pain and hurt from mistreatment of oppressors shall experience the power of God working on their behalf. God sees your situation – even if it doesn’t seem like it. God does not need you to give Him a report of what’s going on. He doesn’t need you to be a CNN reporter.

If you are mistreated, don’t sit down and feel sorry for yourself. Feeling sorry for yourself, or having others feel sorry for you, will not change your situation. It will only gratify your emotions. You need to go beyond that. God wants you to release your praise right where you are regardless of the outcome. Don’t allow any situation you go through this year to control or regulate the way you praise God. Learn to live above your wounds, pain or mistreatment. Praise Him in the darkest moment.

Paul and Silas began to release praise right where they were. They didn’t wait to get out so they could give a testimony at church. As a result, the earthquake came, not for them, but for

the place the enemy was keeping them. If you feel locked down today, shout “Glory to Jesus.” If nothing seems clear, just begin to praise God. He knows your situation and he will bring your breakthrough. And remember, you don’t need musicians and singers to praise God. Lift up your voice to God in thanksgiving and whatever the enemy has locked down will be released by the earthquake power.

Do you know that if we could all begin to praise God in this way, there would be more breakthroughs in our jobs, marriages, businesses and churches. Don’t make the mistake of only praising God when times are good; praise God in good times and bad. The soldiers opened the skin of Paul and Silas; in return, Paul and Silas opened the earth with their praise. You may be in chains, in debt, in trouble, in a tough situation; still praise God. Praise has the power to open any door that keeps your family! Stand up and tell the devil: “I am wounded, locked down, nothing is moving, but today, right here, right now, I will praise God.”

Don’t cry and complain

In the darkest moments, it is easy to cry and complain. In fact, the other prisoners were probably waiting to hear Paul and Silas cry out at midnight and complain because of the pain in their body. Don’t let anyone make you cry or complain in the midnight hour. Tell yourself, tonight is going to be a Praise night. There is no reason to wait until morning. You don’t need to wait for help. This year is the Year of Thanksgiving, begin to praise God now!