The Power of Praising God in Prison

Life can be challenging at times. Jesus made it clear that following him doesn’t exempt us from suffering. In fact, following Jesus guarantees suffering and persecution. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). As followers of Jesus, we will face trials, rejection, and hardship. 

So, what do we do when life gets tough? 

Throughout the Bible, we find stories of faithful people enduring trials not because they disobeyed God, but because they followed him. One of those stories is in Acts 16:16-40, where Paul and Silas are arrested for doing exactly what God had called them to do. 

Paul and Silas preached the good news of Jesus in Philippi where they encountered a female slave who was possessed by an evil spirit. Paul cast the spirit out of her. This act, though good, infuriated her owners, who had profited from her oppression. Because of this, they had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into prison without a trial. 

Paul and Silas had done nothing wrong. They were walking in obedience. Yet their obedience led them into suffering.  

That night, exhausted, bruised, and bloodied in a prison cell, Paul and Silas did something unexpected. Instead of complaining or giving in to fear, they prayed and sang hymns to God. They didn’t know the outcome of their circumstances, but they chose to worship God anyway. Their praise wasn’t based on their circumstances—it was rooted in the unchanging character of God. 

As they worshipped, a violent earthquake shook the prison, opening the prison doors and breaking the prisoners’ chains. Instead of escaping, Paul and Silas stayed, along with the other prisoners. When the jailer woke up, he assumed all the prisoners had left and was about to take his own life. Paul and Silas stopped him and assured him everyone was still there. 

The jailer was shaken and surprised. He asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas shared the Gospel with him and that same night, the jailer and his entire household believed and were baptized. 

What started as a prison sentence became a divine setup for salvation. 

Despite their circumstances, Paul and Silas praised God because they trusted him. Their faith and obedience might have led them to temporary suffering, but their act of praise and worship turned that suffering into a salvation opportunity.  

Being a follower of Jesus can sometimes lead us to unexpected and painful places. But in those moments, we have a choice: We can get angry and blame God, or we can praise him and watch him work through it for his glory. 

When we choose worship over worry and faith over fear, we make space for God to move in ways we could never imagine. 

So, no matter what you’re facing, how can you choose to praise God and trust in him today? 

Kali Gibson is the editor-in-chief for So We Speak and a copywriter for the Youversion Bible App.