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Written by Lynne Hammond

When it came to giving thanks and praise to God, Paul didn’t just talk the talk. He walked the walk. And he did it in the midst of some very tough circumstances.

In the city of Philippi, for example, where he went to preach the Gospel in obedience to the instruction of the Lord, he and his ministry partner, Silas, ran into trouble. An angry mob tore the clothes off them, beat them with rods, and then threw them in prison with their feet in stocks.

Did they complain? Did they cry about how badly they were treated?

No! They practiced what Paul preached.

As they sat in prison, wounded and bleeding at midnight, they held a prayer and praise meeting. They sang hymns and gave thanks to God.

What happened next is very significant. As they were singing and praising, “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 loosed” (v. 26). The jailer came running in, fell down in front of Paul and Silas, and before the night was over, the jailer’s whole household was saved.

That proves it’s not only scriptural to give thanks and praise to God in your midnight hour—it’s just plain smart. Why?

Because praise is the language of faith.

Thanksgiving and praise is faith expressed, and faith expressed releases the power of God. At the midnight hour—in fact, at any hour!—that power is what we need.

Scripture Reading: Acts 16:16 – 40