Praise and Worship
ACTS 16:22–34; PSALM 138; JOHN 16:5–11
“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). What an earth shaken worship!
Beloved, never underestimate the power of hymns, praise, and worship. It stirs the heavens open like cotton; it activates our consciousness of the Divine and prompts conversion. The experience in Acts 16 led to the freedom of Paul and Silas and the conversion of the jailers.
So don’t hold back your song. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Praise in your midnight. Worship in your waiting. Because when heaven hears your voice, earth will feel the tremor.
In the gospel (JOHN 16:5–11), Jesus prepares his followers for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We, too, should prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, our worship or hymns would be mere renditions. The Spirit gives spiritual relevance and powerful manifestations to our prayers and hymns.
Let us pray
Merciful Father, grant that we may, in truth, receive a share in the Resurrection of Christ your Son and experience the powerful breakthrough of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
