“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 everyone’s chains came loose.” — Acts 16:25-26
>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<
Have you ever felt imprisoned by the difficulties you are facing? Perhaps your opponent appears larger than life, or your injury is keeping you on the sidelines, or the pressure feels overwhelming. Fears, doubts and anxieties enter in and act as shackles causing you to feel stuck and unable to move forward.
In the Book of Acts, we see Paul and Silas arrested, beaten, taken to prison and put in shackles for preaching God’s Word. However, they did not allow their circumstances to stop them from praying and praising God. At about midnight, while other prisoners were listening to them, something strange happened. What seemed like an earthquake shook the prison, opened the doors, and loosened the shackles. God’s powerful response to their praise actually led the jailer and his entire family to come to believe in God!
Praise is powerful. And while praising God does not guarantee that our difficulties will quickly disappear, our praise is a spiritual weapon against the enemy of our soul. Satan desires to hold us in prison, but God desires to use us to influence others for Christ. As we praise God, He begins to free us of our fears, doubts and anxieties, and fills us with His confidence, hope and peace. When this happens, people notice and we get opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus.
The next time you find yourself facing difficulties that seem to have you stuck, unleash God’s power by praising Him in spite of your circumstances.
— Karen Zando, Orlando Pride team chaplain
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<
>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<
If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com
