DCLM Higher Everyday 7 June 2024 — Prayer and Praise
Topic: Prayer and Praise
Text: Acts 16:20-26
20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
Key Verse: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Act 16: 25).
Message
A Christian family was praying for the fruit of the womb some time ago. One day, they went on a visit to another family. The couple saw an inscription on a wall in the house that says, “Why not try praising God.” The family started praising God through prayers and very soon, the Lord answered their prayers. Prayer is a means of interacting with God, while praise prepares our hearts for God’s Word by turning our focus away from our problems onto His greatness!
Praise is a part of prayer where we are simply giving God the recognition He deserves. The Bible gives us many ways to express praise. We can lift our hands, clap our hands while singing songs, and verbally tell God how awesome He is. Musical instruments are also used. As Christian youths, you must engage in prayer and praise as frequently as possible. Paul and Silas, in our text, enjoyed the power in prayer and praise as the Lord answered their prayers, speedily. You too can do likewise during examinations, in times of trial, persecution and any other situation.
Quote: Praise is part of prayer
Challenge: Engage in prayer and praise.d of God.
Prayer for today: O God, grant me the grace to worship you always, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
