The Power of Praise

Author: Kayla Brooks

Acts 16:25-26 (NASB)—Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to 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 everyone’s chains were unfastened.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NIV)—Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

The world seemed to move at a different pace after experiencing a miscarriage and losing my father within a year of each other. Grief turned into a familiar companion, and in the initial waves of sorrow, the idea of praising God felt distant, almost foreign. How could I find joy when my heart was full of grief?

But as I immersed myself in prayer and sought comfort in Scripture, I was reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. He tells us, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I made the choice to praise God regardless of my circumstances, not as a means to escape grief but as a way to navigate it by putting my trust in Him.

As time passed, I grasped what praising Him through loss truly looked like. It wasn’t about putting on a brave face and pretending everything was okay; it was about embracing the hurting pieces of my heart and offering them to God in praise. Praising God through grief didn’t mean suppressing my sorrow; it meant surrendering it to the One who understands it.

So, what is praise, and what does it look like?

Praise is the action of thankfulness. It is the physical response of what happens when we surrender our circumstances to God and rejoice that He is there to receive them. When we praise God, we are also reminded that He is with us.

In Acts 16, we see a powerful demonstration of praise in action. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Silas journey to the city of Philippi to preach the Good News of Christ. Yet, soon after their arrival, they find themselves imprisoned for performing miracles. In the middle of the night, confined in chains, Paul and Silas turn adversity into an opportunity for praise through prayer and song. Suddenly, a mighty earthquake shakes the foundations of the prison, not only swinging open all of the prison doors but also freeing everyone from their chains.

What stands out to me in this passage of Scripture is that Paul and Silas did not expect God to miraculously release them from prison. Their praise wasn’t conditional; they didn’t say, “Let’s praise God so He will free us!” Instead, they offered genuine praise through their circumstances with no expectations from Him. They simply praised because they loved God, were thankful for Him, and understood that He was worthy of praise despite their situation.

Immediately following their midnight praise to God, we witness God honoring their worship with a miraculous earthquake that broke chains and unlocked doors. While this wasn’t the motivation behind their praise, it served as a tangible reminder from God that He was with them.

Praising God through loss isn’t a linear process; it’s a dance of sorrow and joy. The loss remains, but so does the abiding presence of the One who turns mourning into dancing.

Search your hearts for thanksgiving, and you will find a way to praise God where you are in your present circumstances. May this inspire you to not wait for life’s conditions to be perfect, as you may find that you may have missed a valuable opportunity to rely on Him through those very circumstances. Whether you find yourself in challenging lows or uplifting highs, there will always be a reason to lift your praises to Him.

May we, like Paul, find the courage to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances, trusting that, no matter our situation, God’s love remains steadfast, and He is worthy of our praise.

Reflection

How will you choose to praise God through your circumstances today?