SINGING IN PRISON

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IMPRISONED IN PHILIPI

Read Acts 16:16–40

      At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 NKJV

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      One day on the way to the place of prayer a demon possessed girl followed Paul and Silas shouting "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved."
     Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the demon, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" (Acts 16:17-18) 

     This act of compassion for the girl resulted in a loss of profits for her owners, so they arrested and flogged Paul and Silas, threw them into prison, and fastened their feet in stocks.
     At midnight, as they were singing hymns, a violent earthquake caused the doors to open and everyone's chains to come loose. The frightened jailer cried out, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31)
     At that very hour of the night, Paul shared the gospel with the jailer's family and they believed and were baptized. After they left the prison, Paul and Silas  went to the house of Lydia, the "seller of purple" who had opened her home to believers.

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      Lord, Your chosen ones were in every place the apostles traveled: A city given over to demons, a cold dark prison, a women's prayer group by the river – all known to You from before the beginning of time. Thank You for including us in this vast multitude of believers.

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      So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. Acts 16:40 NKJV