Today's Verse

VERSE:
  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to
God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
   -- Acts 16:25
      

THOUGHT:
  Falsely imprisoned, Paul and Silas had been beaten "with many
blows," placed in prison, and locked down in stocks. Under such
horrible circumstances, they managed to praise God in hymns and
pray to their Father in Heaven. Under this kind of pressure, their
faith caught the attention of the other prisoners who listened to
them. We need to be reminded that over the years of Christian
witness, some of the most effective times of evangelism happened
because Christians remained faithful and joyous people despite
persecution and harassment. Nothing should limit our prayer and
praise. God will use them to reach the hearts of those in the most
difficult of places!

PRAYER:
  Holy Father, in times of adverse reaction against me because of
my faith, I pray that you will make me a loving, respected, and
forceful witness for Jesus. I ask this not so that I can boast, but
so that others can more fully know your grace and come to Jesus to
be saved. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.