A Sacrifice Of Praise

A Sacrifice of Praise

They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

Acts 16:23-25

Some time ago I asked a few friends, “When have you felt closest to God?” I expected to hear answers such as “the birth of my baby” or “when we moved into our new home.” But the answers weren’t what I expected.

One woman told me it was when she and her children were running away from her abusive husband. Another recalled a cancer episode. Yet another said she felt closest to God when her mother and father died. We want to protect our children from pain and suffering, but often we experience God most in the middle of pain and suffering. That’s when we need Him and depend on Him most.

Are you facing suffering now? It may be hard to think about praising God. So if praise is too hard, start with prayer. Ask God to be close to you. To wrap His arms around you. To heal your hurting heart.

We all face hardship during this life, but we don’t have to face it alone. The Amish praise God through songs passed down from their ancestors who were persecuted and who died because of their faith. If life presses in like a cold, dark prison cell, then sing songs of praise. God will meet you there. No circumstance—prison walls or a burdened, heavy heart—can keep Him away.

Dear heavenly Father, I know that when I pray and praise You in my painful circumstances You are pleased—and more, others can see my hope in You. Accept my praise, even in times of hardship. Especially in times of hardship.