Acts 16:25-26(KJV)
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
From the Scripture above, we see that it was when they began to sing and praise that the Lord moved. Paul and Silas praised God despite the pain and suffering they were going through and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. They did not live-in self-pity but rather prayed and sang high praises to God and He showed up because He inhabits the praises of His people. In the Presence of God, the chains and bondage or captivity could not exist. It is written in Psalm 22:3 “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Nothing brings down the Power of God more than when His people are united, lifting up their holy hands in praise unto Him. He delights in the praises of His people and He reveals Himself in the midst of people who forget entirely about themselves and focus on Him in true worship and praise.
Praise is one of the easiest ways to access the Presence and Blessings of God. It is also one of the most powerful ways to change our lives. Praise is not what we do only after a miracle has happened, but it is what actually makes the miracle happen. When we praise God, even in the midst of going through a challenge or difficulty, we show Him the extent of our faithfulness and trust in Him. When we praise God, our lives immediately and automatically become God’s dwelling place and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty(2 Corinthians 3:17). The power of our praise will determine the magnitude of our breakthroughs. In other words, those who understand the language of praise, never struggle to be delivered, restored and blessed.
Beloved, make the choice to praise Him in order to experience His Almightiness in your life. My counsel is, refuse to live a life of complaining and murmuring. When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord until He manifest Himself in the situation. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God. Don’t let the devil take the praise of God away from your lips, this is because, anytime the devil wants to fight your blessings, he will cause you to murmur and find faults with God. Face the living God and give Him the best praise. God will shake the foundation of your prison, your bondage, your problem, your affliction or hardship, if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks no matter the problem. The storms of life are going to come, but don’t let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise. Don’t stop praising God for your prison door is about to open. God has more in store for you than you ever imagined, so continue in praise. Today and always, take out some minutes and praise God for Who He is, what He has done and for what He is yet to do.
O LORD, I praise You for Who You are, for what You have done and what You are about to do in my life. I will always praise You all the days of my life in Jesus’ Name.