The crowds in Phlippi had joined in the attack,

Paul and Silas stripped and beaten.  The crowd held nothing back

Into prison they were thrown. Of this the scriptures tell.

The jailor had them both put in an inner cell.

Their feet were fastened to a stake.   Things must have looked quite grim.

But Paul and Silas prayed to God.  They kept singing hymns.

The prisoners were listening, no doubt they were all ears.

For the praying and the singing was likely calming fears.

About the time of midnight, things began to shake,

The foundations of the jail were rumbling, from a strong earthquake.

The chains were now pulled loose.  Bound no more were they by chains.

The wakened jailor saw doors opened, and that caused him some pain.

He thought they had escaped, with no place to run or hide

The jailor drew his sword, to commit suicide.

But Paul shouted to himself he should do no harm; he said we are all still here.

The jailor asked for light, then rushed in, trembling with fear,

The jailor somewhat humbled, before Paul and Silas he fell down.

He was now seeking answers, and an answer would be found.

He asked Paul and Silas, as if of truth he had a clue,

how he could be saved; what would he need to do?

They said “believe in the Lord Jesus… You and your household will be saved.”

That’s what they told the jailor, that’s the answer that they gave.

The jailor took them home with him, and their wounds he bathed.

He gave to them a meal.  The truth he now realized.

He and his family came to God and they were all baptized.

The jailor and his family, had found faith worth more than gold.

He rejoiced at having faith in God, rejoiced with his household.

Lord, this jailor had found faith in You amidst the earthquake’s strike.

From this both he and his household were saved and given life.

We have faith in You dear Jesus, and in the truths which You have told

We ask You now to find a way to save all of our households.

Use our faith to save our sons and daughters, to draw them back to You.

Use our faith to grant them grace to embrace life anew.

Help them find the faith passed down in Bible truths of old.

Save our families Jesus.  Save each of our households.  (Acts 16:22-34)