Sometimes in life, when things get tough, it’s easy for us to feel trapped and hopeless. But the stories of Peter, Paul, and Silas show us the incredible power of praise and prayer in hardship. While Peter was in prison and Paul and Silas were locked up for their faith, they chose to worship and pray instead of giving in to fear. Their faith led to amazing miracles that changed their circumstances. So, join us today as we explore how their stories inspire us to trust in God and find strength through praise and prayer, even in our darkest moments.
Who is Peter In The Bible?
Peter was the leader of the Apostles, the Rock upon which the Church of Christ was built, the shepherd who was asked to “feed the sheep.” He professed Christ to be the Son of the living God.
Who denied him thrice? Who presided over the election of Matthias. Who preached the great Pentecost Sermon Who healed the crippled beggar at the Beautiful Gate. Who raised Tabitha (Dorcas) and ministered to Cornelius and his household.
Peter, the rock, and John the beloved were the pillars of the early Church. King Herod arrested some Christians. He killed James, the brother of John, and this act pleased the Jews. So he had Peter arrested and thrown into prison. This was during the feast of the Unleavened Bread. He intended to publicly place Peter on trial after the Passover and possibly execute him. Herod made the prison humanly impregnable. But God was watching.
The Rock is In Prison without the key
While Peter was in prison, the Church of Christ never ceased to last and pray to God for him. God listened, for in his presence, nothing goes unnoticed. That night preceding the day of trial, God stepped out of eternity into time. His destination was the prison where Peter was chained between two soldiers while sentinels guarded the entrance.
The angel of the Lord entered the cell and gently woke Peter up. Immediately, the chains on his wrist fell off. The soldiers were in deep slumber. Again, the trained Roman soldiers flopped. They who could not guard the tomb of Jesus in vain guarded Peter’s cell. When God decrees something, no man, no power can decree otherwise.
Prison Break Of Perter
The angel on duty instructed Peter to clothe himself and follow him. Peter, as of now, had no idea this testament of possibility was not a vision. Having girded himself, Peter followed the angel past the first and second gates with no one harassing them. Eventually, they came to the Iron Gate leading to the city.
This miraculously opened of its own accord, letting Peter and the angel pass through it. Down the street, the angel left Peter. Suddenly, Peter was free again. Without any doubt, God had rescued him. With this realization came this testimony:
Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating (Acts 12:11).
Interesting indeed. Herod the Fox had been “out Foxed.” There was a serious commotion among the soldiers when it was discovered that Peter had vanished into thin air. None of them could offer any explanation as to Peter’s whereabouts. Ironically, when the soldiers could not explain the resurrection (disappearance) of Jesus. They were bribed into silence. But in this case, they were to be executed.
When the going becomes tough, do not panic, for God is watching from a distance. As long as the Sun and Moon endure, deliverance will surely and always come from Zion. Remember, things do not happen when you expect them, how you want them, and where you anticipate them. God, to be God, acts according to his wisdom and love. He writes straight on a crooked line. These are exactly what make him sublime.
1. He has no favorites.
2. He is not accountable to anyone.
3. He does not imitate anyone.
4. He holds the copyright to all lies made.
5. He has the trademark of all his doings.
6. He does not need any consultation.
7. He does act when you least expect it.
8. He does not abandon projects halfway.
9. His works are Masterpieces
10. There is destiny or eternity or goodness in the “Acts of God”
Paul And Silas In The Bible
Paul and Silas were amongst the evangelizers of the early Church. They were the messengers of God, the emissaries of the Church. Paul, Paul and Silas became companions when Paul and Barnabas separated on account of John Mark. So Paul reached out the hand of fellowship to Silas: and together they continued the task of winning, souls for God, of spreading the Good news: and of sowing the seeds of faith. More so, they had recourse to arms and ammunitions. They penetrated hinterlands and even eighties-conquering territories for God.
Great was their accomplishment, and greater still was the task ahead. Small wonder, a man appeared to Paul in a vision begging him to “come over Co Macedonia and help us”. Paul and Silas wasted no time attending to this call, for they knew there were souls to be saved.
Their tour took them to Philippi, the leading city of the district of Macedonia. Here, on the Sabbath, they first ministered to some women. One of them was stirred in the heart to respond to the message of life. Her name was Lydia. She was of immense help to these noble evangelists.
Also in this city was a slave girl who had a gift of divination. She was renowned and famous, and through her fortune-telling earned a great deal of wealth for those who owned her. This girl was always after Paul and Silas and others to whom the door of faith had been opened.
She had become a pest to these missionaries. One day, during their usual trip to the place of prayer and worship, this girl came again shouting and following them. In exasperation, Paul turned round and rebuked the spirit in her, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her.” True to this command, the spirit of divination and fortune-telling departed from her.
Hell was let loose when the owners of the slave girl realized that their money machine had broken down: that their source of income was gone forever. They descended upon Paul and Silas and crafted and dragged them before the magistrate. These men, whoever they may be, were influential and no doubt enjoyed the respect of the public.
So they were able to prevail on the magistrate to do something. The magistrate, dead to the ethics of law, ordered Paul and Silas to be denuded and flogged. Paul and Silas were no ordinary men. They were the servants of the Most High God, the harbingers of the good news of salvation. God was watching. He was taking note of the caricature meted out on his servants.
As if this was not enough, the magistrate had them thrown into Prison with the command to seriously secure their cell. In obedience to the last order, the jailer had them thrown into the inner cell and fastened their feet to a cuff.
Paul and Silas Singing in the Dark
That night, while everywhere was silent and the whole world had gone to bed, Paul and Silas kept vigil. They prayed and sang songs of praise to God. They converted their cell into a prayer house while other prisoners watched and listened to this new phenomenon. This is amazing and worthy of note. Not even pain could pluck out the melody in their hearts.
Truly, the power to sing is of the soul. No matter the circumstance, always choose to praise God. No matter the condition, let nothing take this power to sing and praise God away from you. Paul and Silas lifted their hands and voices heavenward.
God roused up his might since before him nothing goes unnoticed. Immediately, the foundation of the prison was shaken; every door was thrown asunder, and chains loosened from every hand and feet and dropped to the ground. This God is wonderful, I hear you say. Paul and Silas moved from being free men to prisoners and from being prisoners to free men again.
– They ministered to the prisoners such that none of them ran away when the prison gates were broken down.
– They ministered to the jailer and his household so that he played host to them.
The magistrate and the others appeased them and escorted them. Them out of the prison wall. Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.
– Their mission to Macedonia was not in vain.
Yes, indeed, in prison and out of prison, the good news was proclaimed, and God was glorified. Remember, whatever does not kill you strengthens you.
Always Trust God in Hard Times
Today, we looked into the remarkable stories of Peter, Paul, and Silas, highlighting how praise and prayer can create miracles even in the toughest situations. When Peter found himself imprisoned, and Paul and Silas were locked away for their faith, they chose to lift their voices in worship instead of despair.
Their unwavering faith is what led to incredible acts of God, including miraculous prison breaks and transformed hearts. Through their experiences, we learn that no matter how bleak our circumstances may seem, turning to God in praise and prayer can bring hope, freedom, and unexpected blessings. Join us in discovering how these powerful stories encourage us to maintain our faith and find strength in worship during our hardships. Just go ahead and subscribe today if you have not already. Cheers!
