Paul and Silas: God Hears Me Anywhere!
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. 26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw that the doors were open, he thought that the prisoners had escaped. He pulled out his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don't harm yourself! No one has escaped.” 29 The jailer asked for a torch and went into the jail. He was shaking all over as he knelt down in front of Paul and Silas. 30 After he had led them out of the jail, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved! This is also true for everyone who lives in your home.” 32 Then Paul and Silas told him and everyone else in his house about the Lord. 33 While it was still night, the jailer took them to a place where he could wash their cuts and bruises. Then he and everyone in his home were baptized. 34 They were very glad they had put their faith in God. After this, the jailer took Paul and Silas to his home and gave them something to eat.
Acts 16:25-34
Memory Verse
Acts 16:25
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened.
Have you ever had a really bad day? The kind where everything feels upside down? That’s what happened to the New Testament missionaries Paul and Silas. They helped someone by telling an evil spirit to leave a girl, and then they got beaten up and thrown in jail! But instead of being angry or scared, guess what they did! They prayed and sang songs to God in jail! Can you imagine hearing people singing praise songs at midnight in jail?Â
Even in a dark, scary place, Paul and Silas knew they weren’t alone. The Holy Spirit was with them, guiding them to pray and worship. Then something amazing happened: an earthquake shook the jail and opened the doors! But Paul and Silas didn’t run. Instead, they told the jailer about Jesus, and he and his whole family believed! The Holy Spirit helped Paul and Silas stay calm, trust God, and share the good news, even when things were hard.
You don’t have to be in a church to talk to God. You don’t even have to have a good day. Just like Paul and Silas, you can pray and sing to God anywhere—at home, on the bus, at school, or when you’re scared. This week, try talking to God in a place you don’t usually pray. Maybe it’s in the car, at recess, or while brushing your teeth! Wherever you are, God hears you. And if you want Jesus to be your forever friend, you can talk to him right now. Say, “Jesus, I believe you are God’s Son. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. Please forgive me and live in my heart forever.” God hears you. He always does.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you that I can talk to you anywhere, anytime. Help me remember to pray when I feel scared or stuck. I believe that Jesus loves me and is always with me. Please help me follow you like Paul and Silas did, even when things are hard. Amen.Related Resources
Tanya Yuen
Tanya Yuen is a pastor who serves in the denominational office of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec with the privilege of supporting pastors in children and family ministry. She also gets to spend time in Muskoka at Camp Kwasind in the summer, sharing about Jesus with kids. She is mom to 3 girls and together with her husband, Alfred. They spend as much time as possible hiking the trails around the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario.