BREAKING BARRIERS THROUGH PRAISE
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Acts 16:25-26
Key Verse: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken…”- Acts 16:25-26
Supporting Texts: Psalm 22:3; Psalm 34:1; 2 Chronicles 20:21-22; Psalm 149:5-9; Isaiah 61:3
INTRODUCTION:
Barriers are inevitable in life, but how believers respond to them determines whether they remain imprisoned or experience breakthrough. Many people focus on complaining, murmuring, or despair when faced with opposition, forgetting that God has given powerful spiritual weapons that transcend human limitations.
Praise is one of the most underestimated yet most powerful tools in the believer’s arsenal. It shifts focus from the problem to the greatness of God and creates an atmosphere where divine intervention is inevitable. When praise rises genuinely from the heart, God responds with power.
This message teaches that praise is not a reaction to convenience but a declaration of faith in adversity. When believers learn to praise God intentionally, barriers collapse, chains break, and destinies are repositioned for victory.
1. PRAISE CHANGES THE ATMOSPHERE BEFORE THE BARRIER BREAKS
Praise invites God’s presence into difficult situations and alters the spiritual environment even before physical change occurs.
a) God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3)
When praise ascends, God’s presence descends, and no barrier can withstand His manifested glory.
b) Praise shifts focus from problems to God’s power (Psalm 34:1)
Instead of magnifying challenges, praise magnifies God, strengthening faith and confidence.
c) Praise silences fear and discouragement (Isaiah 61:3)
The garment of praise replaces heaviness, restoring joy and hope in the midst of adversity.
d) Praise creates expectancy for divine intervention (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
Even when circumstances remain unchanged, praise positions the heart to trust God for a turnaround.
Biblical Example: King David strengthened himself through praise when surrounded by distress and opposition (1 Samuel 30:6).
2. PRAISE RELEASES SUPERNATURAL POWER AND INTERVENTION
Praise is not mere singing; it is a spiritual force that releases God’s power into human situations.
a) Praise triggers divine movement (2 Chronicles 20:21-22)
As Judah praised, God set ambushments against their enemies without them lifting a sword.
b) Praise invites sudden breakthroughs (Acts 16:25-26)
Paul and Silas praised at midnight, and suddenly the prison foundations shook, proving that God responds to faith-filled praise.
c) Praise enforces victory beyond human effort (Psalm 8:2)
God ordains praise to still the enemy and avenger, ending battles supernaturally.
d) Praise accelerates divine response (Psalm 149:6-9)
High praise executes spiritual judgment and releases victory in the unseen realm.
Biblical Example: Jehoshaphat’s army experienced total victory as praise went ahead of battle (2 Chronicles 20:22).
3. PRAISE BREAKS CHAINS AND OPENS CLOSED DOORS
Barriers that resist prayer alone often collapse under sustained praise.
a) Praise breaks spiritual chains (Acts 16:26)
Chains fell off not by physical force but by the power released through praise.
b) Praise opens divinely locked doors (Revelation 3:8)
When God responds to praise, doors no man can shut are opened.
c) Praise brings deliverance beyond expectation (Psalm 118:5)
God answers praise with enlargement, liberty, and relief.
d) Praise brings freedom to others around you (Acts 16:26)
Paul and Silas’ praise freed not only themselves but also other prisoners, showing the corporate impact of praise.
Biblical Example: The walls of Jericho collapsed when Israel shouted praises in obedience to God (Joshua 6:20).
4. LIVING A LIFESTYLE OF PRAISE SUSTAINS BREAKTHROUGHS
Breakthroughs gained through praise must be sustained by a continual attitude of thanksgiving.
a) Continuous praise preserves victory (Psalm 34:1)
A lifestyle of praise keeps the believer aligned with God’s presence.
b) Praise keeps the heart humble and grateful (Psalm 103:1-2)
Gratitude prevents pride and keeps blessings flowing.
c) Praise strengthens faith for future battles (Romans 4:20)
Thanking God consistently builds confidence in His faithfulness.
d) Praise prepares believers for greater dimensions of glory (Isaiah 60:1)
Those who praise arise and shine, stepping into new levels of manifestation.
Biblical Example: Hannah’s praise after receiving Samuel led to increased fruitfulness and honour (1 Samuel 2:1-21).
CONCLUSION:
Praise is a divine strategy for breaking barriers that seem immovable. When believers praise God sincerely, heaven responds, chains fall, and impossible situations give way to supernatural breakthroughs. Praise shifts the battle from human struggle to divine intervention.
As you cultivate a lifestyle of praise, you will witness barriers collapsing, doors opening, and victories becoming permanent. Praise will no longer be seasonal in your life but a daily expression of faith, trust, and gratitude to God.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, teach me to praise You even in difficult situations.
2. Lord, let every barrier resisting my progress collapse through praise.
3. Father, release Your presence into every area of my life.
4. Lord, turn my midnight season into sudden breakthrough.
5. Father, let every chain limiting my destiny break now.
6. Lord, open doors that no man can shut before me.
7. Father, replace every heaviness in my life with joy.
8. Lord, empower my praise to silence every enemy.
9. Father, let my praise provoke divine intervention.
10. Lord, establish a lifestyle of praise in my life.
