Young People's Group

The Challenge to Pray and Sing During Tough Times

by Mitchell Tan
March 04, 2016

LEARNING TO GO THROUGH TOUGH TIMES WITH FAITH

How should we go through tough and difficult situations of life? Should we give in to negativity and despair? These were things that Paul and Silas vigorously chose not to do when they were incarcerated (Acts 16).

“And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
Acts 16:23-24

A multitude had risen against Paul and Silas and the magistrate commanded that they be beaten with rods, thrown into the inner prisons and have their feet placed in stocks. This must have been a most trying and painful experience. They must have suffered much and yet they did not allow their being in this quandary to get them down. They chose to pray and sing instead.

PAUL’S WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF PRAYING AND SINGING TO GOD DURING TOUGH TIMES

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God”
Acts 16:25

In the midst of their grave predicament, Paul and Silas did what no one else was doing. They joyfully prayed and sang hymns to God. How were they able to do this?

1. APPLICATION OF THE SCRIPTURES TO LIFE

They most probably applied what they had learnt from the Scriptures. In Psalm 119, the Psalmist wrote of how he would rise up at midnight to give thanks to God because of His word.

“At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.”
Psalm 119:62

The Psalmist, though bound by the “cords of the wicked” (Psalm 119:61), was still able to give thanks to God. Paul and Silas applied this verse to their life and ministry. They instinctively sought to praise God at midnight. What tremendous faith and tenacity of spirit!

2. EXERCISING OF FAITH IN THE LORD

“Praying and singing hymns to God”
Acts 16:25

Despite their misery in jail, Paul and Silas related to God through prayer and song. As they were praying in faith, there came a song in their heart. They were able to lift up their voices to the Lord God almighty. Their focus was on the Lord. They did not allow their predicament to get the better of them. In the darkest of moments, their faith shone through in prayer and in song.

3. BEARING TESTIMONY OF THEIR FAITH IN THE LORD

“And the prisoners were listening to them.”
Acts 16:25

The rest of the prisoners were listening attentively to Paul and Silas sing that night. It must have brought much encouragement to their hearts. Paul and Silas must have sung beautifully. They were bearing testimony of their faith to these prisoners through song. Brethren, praying and singing go together. Even though things can be tough in our life, they are most probably not as challenging as what Paul and Silas had gone through. If they can pray and sing with faith in the Lord during such times, so can we. Let’s learn to have this kind of faith that we may give thanks to Him during challenging times and bear testimony for Him to our family members and friends.

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