Another example of the fact that we don’t really know our text very well comes from the story of Paul and Silas being thrown in prison in Phillipi. The text says in Acts 16:25, “about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God”, when a huge earthquake came and their chains came loose and they were set free. Why would they be praying at midnight? Did they just happen to be up at that time of night? Why would midnight be a significant time for them to be praying to God for intervention? I s there something in the text that would provide and answer to that question?
Look at Psalms 119:61, 62, “Though the wicked bind me with ropes, at midnight I rise to give you thanks”. They were just doing what the text told them to do!! If you want to have your ropes broken, awake and pray at midnight! I’m sure Paul told Silas “Make sure you are awake a little before midnight to start praying”. Do you think if they had prayed at 4:00 p.m., their results would have been the same?
About the author:
Bob is the creator of this site and a disciple of Ray Vander Laan. Along with his wife of 50 years, he teaches a Bible study at Christ’s Church in Roswell, NM. He is also an avid hunter and fisher.
WOW! I never put those two together!! Thank you again. I think I say that every time hehe