But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them… (Acts 16:25 NAS95)
Paul lived in a space I long to find myself. He lived in constant communion with God. He even led others into it. We find Silas joining him in prayer — in prison. Praying shaped Paul’s mission so much that obviously whatever he gained in prayer encouraged his heart and motivated his desire to proclaim the Kingdom of Jesus. More than that, he lived the Kingdom. This passage overflows with prayer and its fruit: love. After all, the Kingdom of God remains the safest place to live on earth, even on rough days. And Paul and Silas had had a rough day, but never lost sight of God’s love.
In route to pray, Paul and Silas land in prison after being beaten with rods for performing an exorcism on a woman. The exorcism appears to be an action flowing from communion with Jesus too. Despite enduring a beating and spending the night in prison, they continued engaged in conversation with their King and worship of Him. For Paul, circumstances never defined him; Jesus did. He stood rock-solid in the presence of His Lord. Fear did not overtake him or Silas. They knew who truly ruled and love overflowed from their Lord, for that characterizes His reign. They lived it so authentically that the jailer chose to enter that same space — the space of Kingdom and Presence of God. Then the news came for Paul and Silas’s release. Mission flowed from prayer for Paul and Silas; they knew their King and they knew His presence with them. That’s the Kingdom and space I long to find myself. How about you?
For Reflection:
“Get out the message—GOD Rules! He put the world on a firm foundation; He treats everyone fair and square.” (Psalms 96:10 MESSAGE)
- What place does prayer have in your daily activities to advance God’s Kingdom? How could prayer be a reflection of living in Kingdom space?
- How easily do you let circumstances define you and your responses rather than Jesus and His love for you?
