Breakthrough Praise

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

1. Praise in the midnight releases God’s power.
Paul and Silas were beaten, wounded and chained in prison. Midnight represents the hour of despair; but it also becomes the hour of divine intervention when praise arises. 
Psalm 34:1  I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Isaiah 61:3 … the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
As stars shine the brightest in the darkest nights, praise shines most powerfully in the midnight of trouble. 

2. Praise changes atmospheres before it changes circumstances.
Before the prison doors opened, the spiritual atmosphere shifted. Praise invites God's presence and drives out fear, doubt and darkness. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3)
2 Chronicles 20:22 - As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
Psalm 100:4 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
When you open windows in a closed room, fresh air enters. Praise opens the windows of Heaven into heavy situations. 

3. Praise breaks chains that prayer alone cannot.
Your love song to Jesus is the most powerful weapon against the enemy. Praise added faith to Paul and Silas’s prayer. The chains fell not because of their strength, but because of their worship.
Acts 16:26 - Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Psalm 107:14 - He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.
Romans 8:37 - ...we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Praise is the key that opens spiritual prisons. 

4. Praise becomes a witness to others.
Paul and Silas’s praise was heard by everyone. Spiritually speaking, they had put on the garment of praise although their clothes may have torn and they had cuts in their body. Their breakthrough became a testimony that led to salvation. 
Acts 16:27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.
Matthew 5:16 -  … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Praise turns your pain into a public testimony. 

• Breakthrough praise does not wait for doors to open before singing. It sings until doors open. 
• Worship in weakness produces victory. 
• When you lift your voice to God, Heaven responds and Earth shakes.
• Do not let chains silence your song; instead let your song break your chains. 

Declaration - My praise shakes prisons today. Chains fall and doors open as I worship.