And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. — ACTS 16:25

Singing, praising, and thanksgiving all go together.

Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes, cast into prison, and their feet put in stocks. But at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God — aloud. The other prisoners heard them!

Most people in similar circumstances would have griped and complained. If they had been like some modern Christians, Silas would have said, “Paul, are you still there?” And Paul would have answered, “Where else would I be?”

Silas would have complained, “I’ll tell you, my poor back is hurting so bad. I don’t understand why God let this happen to us. He knows we’ve tried to serve Him and do our best!”

That kind of praying would have gotten Paul and Silas further in — instead of out! God didn’t have them thrown in jail; the devil did. But there’s truth and instruction here to help us in our midnight hour — the hour of test, of trial — when the storms of life come. That’s the time to pray, praise, sing, and give thanks to God!

Confession: I praise and thank God at all times. I never have a “poor old me” attitude. I keep an attitude of praise at all times.