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The Sound That Shakes Chains

Ps Christine Lewis

There’s a sound that makes hell nervous, and it’s not shouting, noise, or hype. It’s praise. Not the kind that’s easy when everything is going well, but the kind that rises in the middle of pain, prison, and pressure. That sound is powerful. That sound breaks chains and makes way for God to step in.

The Bible gives us two powerful examples. In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah are surrounded. The enemy is massive, and fear kicks in. But instead of planning a military strategy, Jehoshaphat seeks the Lord and proclaims a fast. In response, God says something radical: “You won’t need to fight this battle. Stand still. See the salvation of the Lord.”

How do the people respond? They send out singers. Not soldiers—singers. As they sing, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever,” God Himself sets an ambush against the enemy. By the time Judah arrives, the battle is over. Not one enemy escaped.

Now skip forward to the New Testament in Acts 16. Paul and Silas are in prison. Beaten, bloodied and locked in stocks. But at midnight—the darkest part of the night—they choose to pray and sing praises to God. And when they do, something shifts. The ground shakes, prison doors fly open, and chains fall off every prisoner. Not just their chains—everyone’s.

What’s the common thread? When they began to sing, God stepped in.

When they lifted their voices in praise—not after the breakthrough, but before it—heaven responded. The sound of praise didn’t just shift their mood. It changed the outcome!

I believe this is the word for us: praise will propel you down the path of fulfilment. It’s not a spiritual nicety. It’s a weapon. A strategy. A divine force that opens the door for God to inhabit your situation.

Psalm 22:3 (MEV) says, “…You [God] who inhabits the praises of [His people].” The word inhabit means to settle in, to occupy, to reside. When you praise, you’re inviting God to take over the space you’re in… and when God steps in, things change.

Here’s the challenge: it’s easy to praise when the report is good, when the miracle has come, or when everything’s going according to plan. But what about when it’s not? What about when finances are tight, the marriage feels distant, or prayers seem unanswered?

That’s when praise becomes a choice. A sacrifice. A declaration of trust.

The Lord spoke to me so clearly: “Praise must be the continual sound on your path. Not occasional. Not when you feel like it. Continual.” When we stop praising, we stall. Slow down. We allow discouragement to gain ground.

But when we keep praising—when we lift our hands and open our mouths even when it hurts—we are propelled forward. Praise becomes the fuel for the journey.

I’m not talking about playing worship music. That’s beautiful and helpful, but it’s not the same. God didn’t say, “My praise shall continually be on my playlist.” He said, “[My] praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1 NASB)

It’s your mouth that matters. Your voice. Your declaration. Your sound.

Even science confirms this. Your body responds more powerfully to your own voice than anyone else’s. So if you want healing, declare healing. If you want freedom, declare freedom. If you want breakthrough, lift your voice in praise because that sound shakes things loose.

There’s something even more powerful… when we praise together.

Paul and Silas weren’t alone. That little word “and” made all the difference. The enemy made a mistake by putting them in the same cell because two voices praising in unity created a sound strong enough to break open every door.

That’s why it’s so powerful when we gather together each Sunday and lift a united sound of praise.

At church, I get to be the Silas to your Paul. If you walk into church feeling a little discouraged, I can stand beside you and help you lift a shout of praise. It’s not just like a domino effect—my praise triggers your praise—it’s even more powerful than that. I don’t start your praise, but I come alongside and praise with you. Together we lift a sound.

And our praise breaks chains.

So don’t isolate. Don’t hold back. Praise with your own voice and praise with others because God still moves when His people lift their sound!