“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 MSG

Paul and Silas both lay shackled in a jail cell after being severely beaten and wrongfully imprisoned. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they made a decision to worship God by singing and praying.

God responded to their worship in a powerful way.

Not only were Paul and Silas literally freed from prison but all the other prisoners were loosed from their chains, too. Those who witnessed Paul’s and Silas’ worship – and God breaking the chains – were deeply affected. As a result the jailer and his entire family came to faith that night.

Reading this reminds me that no matter what is happening in my life, I am created to worship God. During good times and difficult times, God is worthy of my praise. Worship is an active response to God’s great love for us.

It also reminds me that worship breaks the chains that are binding us. And other people get to witness God’s powerful response in our life.

Worship establishes divine strongholds in your life and in your city.

I want to encourage you today to worship God even if you don’t feel like it. Just try it and see what happens.