For the last four years, I’ve been praying for direction—for God to open a door. It hasn’t happened yet, but I believe He’s working behind the scenes, and that in His perfect timing, it will. Still, earlier this week, I found myself in a place I didn’t want to be—and honestly, my attitude reflected it.
On the first night there, I was scrolling through Instagram and came across an account that I follow called God Behind Bars. As I sat looking through the images and videos on their feed, my heart was deeply moved. These men and women were in prison, yet in that place of captivity, they lifted their voices in praise and worship. Joy was evident on their faces as they sang about His goodness. Many were on their knees, hands lifted high, fully surrendered. Their hope wasn’t rooted in their circumstances—it was in the Lord. Their situation didn’t hinder their praise. Many may never experience life outside of prison again, but inside those walls… they experienced Jesus and found freedom in HIM.
And there I was, with a complaint on my lips instead of praise in my heart.
That truth pierced me and left me convicted.
The definition of prison is a place of confinement, a place where someone is contained and restricted, unable to move freely.
While we may not be in a physical prison, there are seasons in our lives where we feel confined—by fear, anxiety, financial hardship, grief, addiction, difficult relationships, or spiritual warfare. Our minds, our emotions, even our joy can feel captive.
It led me back to the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25–34. They had been thrown into prison after casting out a spirit from a girl. Beaten and bound, they were locked in the inner cell with their feet in stocks.
In that place of darkness,
In that place of captivity,
Paul and Silas began to pray and sing hymns to God.
As the other prisoners were listening.
(Side note: people are always watching how we respond to what we go through)
As they prayed and sang, the earth began to shake, the doors flew open, and the chains fell off.
They didn’t wait to be free to start praising.
They praised—and freedom came.
The truth is praise doesn’t always come easily when we feel spiritually stuck. There are times our minds feel trapped in worry, and our peace feels captive to fear, doubt, or discouragement. And we sit, waiting —for the breakthrough or solution—before we lift our voices in worship.
Praise should come before the breakthrough.
It isn’t just the result of freedom—it’s the very key that unlocks it.
Our "prison places", our moments of "confinement "are an opportunity for us to experience God's presence like never before.
If you’re feeling stuck, confined, or held captive by your circumstances, don’t wait for the situation to change before you lift your voice in praise. Start praising God right there, right now.
Sing...
Pray...
Declare God’s word over your life.
Like Paul and Silas, let your praise rise in the darkest hour—because it’s the sound of worship that shakes the walls and sets you free.
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