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 everybody’s chains came loose.

This is a great example of how to respond in the face of adversity. Paul and Silas are thrown into prison for preaching the Gospel; so what do they do? They’re praying and singing songs of praise to God. Paul understood that to walk in the Spirit meant that he would be a person of prayer and praise regardless of the circumstances.

Just as Paul and Silas were delivered from that prison cell, there is available to every believer the opportunity to enter in to liberating praise that sets people free from depression, despair, bitterness, anger and anxiety. There is a powerful dimension of God’s presence whenever we praise Him. Demonic influences get nervous wherever there is Spirit-filled praise. The enemy has to flee in the face of God’s presence.

Praise will often include lyrics and words that reinforce the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said, you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Spirit-filled praise aligned with the truth of God’s word is so liberating because the truth sets us free. Praise is the kind of prayer that purges all doubt.

I am reminded by this story that I can have rich times of praise that glorify God and liberate my soul when I am alone with God. There is also a very special dimension of God’s presence that attends to the people who will gather together in corporate times of worship.

Spiritual warfare can happen as I praise over people with songs of salvation and songs of deliverance. The same is true for the people of God as they gather together to praise and worship the Lord. Hearts can be cleansed, forgiven and liberated from demonic influences as people surrender to purposeful and surrendered praise and worship.

Lord, I set my heart to praise and worship you in my own personal times with you. In the same way that I am committing myself to rich times in your word and in prayer, I also want to respond to the richness of your presence in praise and worship. I pray for the people I pastor, that they would continue to make Sunday morning worship a priority so that as we gather together, there’s a powerful dimension of your presence that encourages, affirms and frees us to become all you meant for us to become.