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The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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 bonds were loosened. Acts 16:22–26 WEB.

A girl with a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas around the city of Philippi for many days. She discerned that they were God's messengers, and she told the people about them, but her words came from an evil source. Paul became "greatly annoyed" and commanded the evil spirit to leave her. It did, and that is when the fight started.

Paul and Silas were beaten by the mob and dragged through the streets. Then they had their clothes torn off and were struck with rods. After this, they were thrown into a cold dark prison, and their feet locked in stocks. They had confronted the kingdom of darkness and faced a counterattack from the enemy. He worked through his people just as God works through His.

Paul and Silas were in a tight spot. If there was ever a reason to complain, they had one. They had done nothing wrong, but this was a spiritual war. Instead of complaining, they prayed and sang hymns to God, and soon their captivity was changed. In fact, they led some of the people in the jail to the Lord. Then the magistrates came and apologized to them. It was a victory. They faced adversity with the right attitude, they overcame, and they led people to Jesus.

When the going gets tough, it is easy to throw up your hands and say, "I have had enough! Why serve God any longer? It brings me nothing but more trouble." Yet this is not a time for wandering away. It is a time of drawing closer. We are in a battle, and God is our refuge in our time of trouble. We should pray more, not less. When the going gets tough, the tough start praying and singing praises to God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please teach me Your truth and help me to see what You see. Help me find my place in the body. Put me where I will make the most impact for You. Here I am, Lord, use me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.