The Power Of Thanks 4

Thanksgiving Unlocks Prison Doors

The Power Of Thanks Thanksgiving Unlocks Prison Doors

This week is Thanksgiving.  An American Holiday that should remind us to give Thanks to God for our Great Country and what God has done.

Thanksgiving was not born out of abundance of food, football, but out of a heart of gratitude.

Here is a little story, so we can remember how it all began.

The True Story of Thanksgiving

In 1620, a small group of believers called the Pilgrims set sail from England on a ship called the Mayflower. They weren’t looking for adventure, they were looking for freedom. Freedom to worship God as they believed the Bible taught.

But the journey was brutal. They were at sea for over two months, battered by storms. When they finally arrived in the New World in December, it wasn’t warm and welcoming — it was freezing and wild. By the end of that first winter, over half of them had died.

They buried their loved ones on the hill overlooking Plymouth Bay. They had every reason to complain, there was hunger, sickness, loneliness, loss.

But instead of giving up, they gave thanks.

In the fall of 1621, Governor William Bradford declared a three-day feast to thank God for His provision. They invited their Native American friends, who had taught them how to plant corn and to fish. Together, they thanked God for a harvest that promised survival.

It wasn’t a feast of abundance — it was a feast of gratitude. They didn’t thank God because everything was easy. They thanked Him because He was faithful.

Bradford wrote in his journal, 

“Although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

That was the first Thanksgiving, born out of struggle, sustained by faith, and expressed through gratitude.

In many ways, the story of Paul and Silas found themselves in their own kind of “Plymouth prison.”

They were beaten, bruised, and bound, but like the Pilgrims, they chose thanksgiving over complaint.

And just like the Pilgrims’ gratitude shaped a nation, Paul and Silas’ gratitude shook a prison.

Let’s look at Acts 16:16–34, and see how thanksgiving unlocks prison doors.

Acts 16:16–34 (NKJV) 16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Church Family, “When life locks you down, thanksgiving lifts you up.” 

Let’s take a journey and see how Thanksgiving got them out of jail.

Thanksgiving at the Midnight hour.

Acts 16:25 (NKJV) 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Church Family: Gratitude isn’t just what you do when you’re free,  it’s how you get free.

Just like the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving, it came after one of the harshest winters imaginable. Nearly half of their number had died. Yet instead of holding a funeral service, they held a festival of thanksgiving.

Gratitude in the midnight hour, opens doors for daylight.

Psalm 119:62 (NKJV) 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

Thanksgiving is most powerful when it’s least convenient.

Habakkuk 3:17–19 (NKJV) 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

When Paul and Silas were beaten and chained, they didn’t curse, they sang. Their midnight song became the key to their freedom.

Church Family: “Anyone can praise God when the sun’s shining. Real faith sings in the dark.” 

Funny Thanksgiving Thought:

“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.” – Irv Kupcinet

2. Thanksgiving is a Witness

Acts 16:25 (NKJV) 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

I like how Peter state’s this.

1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Gratitude isn’t quiet — it testifies.

The other prisoners heard Paul and Silas singing. They didn’t preach a sermon, they were a sermon.

“Gratitude is contagious. When you show it, others catch it.” – Zig Ziglar

Funny Story: A pastor asked a boy, “Do you say your prayers before eating?” The boy said, “Not anymore. My mom’s a good cook!”

Sometimes our blessings make us forget to be thankful out loud! Church Family:Your gratitude can preach louder than your words.

3. Thanksgiving Brings Breakthrough

Acts 16:26 (NKJV) 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Praise and thanksgiving are not reactions, they are weapons.

Church Family just like Jehoshaphat who sent singers ahead of his army saying, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever!” As they sang, God set ambushes against their enemies. 

2 Chronicles 20:21–22 (NKJV) 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” 22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

Praise broke the power of darkness before a sword was ever drawn.

Modern Example: A missionary in a hostile country was imprisoned and beaten, yet every night he sang hymns. Later, one of his guards accepted Christ, saying, “I wanted to know the God who could make a man sing in prison.”

Thanksgiving Connection: The Pilgrims’ celebration after loss, was their breakthrough moment. Gratitude turned survival into revival.

“When you can’t change your circumstances, let thanksgiving change your heart.” – Pastor Jack Hayford

Funny Thanksgiving Quote: “Last Thanksgiving I shot my own turkey. It was a disaster. Everyone at the supermarket was running.” – Comedian Unknown

4. Thanksgiving Changes Atmospheres

Acts 16:27–28 (NKJV) 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

Gratitude invites God’s presence and transforms any environment.

The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people. That means wherever you praise Him, He shows up.

When Paul and Silas began to sing, the atmosphere shifted, it shifted from a dungeon to a worship service.

“You can’t always change your situation, but you can always change your spirit.” – Corrie ten Boom.

Funny Thanksgiving Moment: A little boy told his mom, “I’m thankful for turkey, mashed potatoes, and stretchy pants!”

Gratitude changes your attitude, and your comfort level!

When thanksgiving fills a home, a heart, or a church, the whole atmosphere changes.

5. Thanksgiving Impacts Others’ Salvation

Acts 16:28–33 (NKJV) 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

People are not looking for grumpy people, but people that will lift them up.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Think of it: Your praise might unlock someone else’s prison.

When the earthquake shook the jail, no one ran away. The jailer was about to take his life, but Paul shouted, “Do yourself no harm!” His gratitude turned into grace — and the jailer and his whole family came to Christ.

“When you give thanks, you make room for others to see God in your story.” – Christine Caine

A woman in a restaurant bowed her head and prayed over her meal. The waiter said, “I didn’t know people still did that.” She replied, “I thank the One who gave me both the food and the appetite.” He later visited her church and got saved.

Someone said: “If you’re more thankful for Wi-Fi than salvation, your priorities might need rebooting.”

6. Thanksgiving Proves Faith in God’s Plan

Paul didn’t know how the story would end, but he trusted the Author. 

Gratitude is faith’s way of saying, “God, You’re still good even when I don’t see how.”

Acts 16:34 (NKJV) 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Philippians 1:12–13 (NKJV) 12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

“Faith that thanks God after He answers is gratitude. Faith that thanks God before He answers is confidence.” – Unknown

A Sunday School teacher asked, “What’s one thing we can be thankful for this year?” A little girl shouted, “Elastic waistbands!”

Sometimes faith and thanksgiving stretch us, but they keep us comfortable in the process!

Church family: When we give thanks in uncertainty, we declare trust in the unseen hand of God.

The Pilgrims’ gratitude built a nation. Paul and Silas’ gratitude opened a prison.

Our gratitude can open hearts, homes, and heavens. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just thank God for the food on our table, let’s thank Him for the freedom in our souls.

Join with me this week as we continue to Remember Why we give Thank, on our DAILY DISCIPLESHIP, Q-R Code.

AND ALSO DAILY PRAYER. 

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