Reignಮಾದರಿ

Paul and Silas had been telling people about Jesus in Philippi. While they were there, a girl possessed by an evil spirit started following them and shouting behind them. Men were using this girl and the evil spirit inside of her to predict the future. Through Jesus’ power, Paul cast the demon out of the girl, but the men who made money off of the evil spirit’s predictions got angry—their money source was gone. In retaliation, they had Paul and Silas dragged in front of the local justice system, beaten, and arrested. In the dark, inner cell of the prison, with their bodies in the stocks, bruised and bloodied, Paul and Silas began to sing and ask God for help. Paul and Silas didn’t know how God was going to answer their prayers—or if He was. (He did answer. He brought an earthquake to set everyone free.) But before God even answered, Paul and Silas sang. Very likely, they were reminding their bruised and battered hearts of God’s goodness.

When we’re stressed, our hearts need a declaration of God’s goodness. We can take a page out of our brothers-in-Christ’s playbook—worship and pray. Worship helps our hearts remember how big and good our King is. When we’re scared, our view of God has gotten small, and we need it back to accurate. Prayer helps us remember we’re not alone and invites the King of all to get involved. While there may not be an earthquake in our lives like there was for Paul and Silas, worship and prayer will shake our worried hearts to rest in our King.