YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED
TO PRAY AT THE PRISON GATE
I was in prison, and you came to Me. ... When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? ... The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ —Matthew 25
Some of you have been helping me to get more focus in this ministry and then I go off in a whole new path. I know. Sorry.
But God has opened a door here and I just have to check out what's inside.
We have two exciting opportunities this Christmas Season (the Light Up the Darkness campaign to share the Gospel Story in over 1,300 prisons throughout America and the Prayer at the Atlanta Prison Gate event on Friday, December 19 at 11:30am at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary). Click those links for more details; we're very excited to have you join us in one or both.
But in preparing for these two opportunities, I found some incredible statistics. Did you know that . . .
But it's not all about the outside. Inside:
What is my call? What are we to do with a system and world so broken? Men in Parchman have done bad things. No doubt. But I've done bad things.
Scripture is clearer on this than I am. We're to remember the prisoners as if we were with them (Hebrews 13:3) because God doesn't hate them (Psalm 69:33) and I'm the bearer of the Good News (Isaiah 61:1). Darkness will exist (Isaiah 42:7) but I/you/we bring light (Isaiah 42:6) and trust that God preserves those destined for death (Psalm 79:11)-even when it feels like me.
Standing on either side of the prison gate, there there is no answer or option for reconciliation. But on my knees, God provides a way.
Holy Spirit, come upon us. In even this, give us peace to walk with You. Let us see that despite these intractable circumstances, You have come to guide us through. Jesus brought salvation, but He left us a gift, You. Let us when we're lulled by luxury and us when we're awakened by the cold come together and seek Your kingdom, here, now, today. We pour resources into punishing and end up punishing those paid to serve. How is that of You? How can One so great as You allow that to continue, Great Spirit? Only You know. But today, Lord, fill others with Your blessed fruit. Show us Your hand and let us see the Father's face in this moment of weakness. There is no earthly answer here, Lord. These men and women who will always be known as prisoners, their children, the wardens who are over them, the correctional officers who serve and the victims who shoulder the burden all need Your peace and great Spirit. How else can these dry bones live? How else can the lion lie down with the lamb? In You, Lord all things are possible. Show us Your way and let us/let me be on the field when the clock winds down. I refuse to watch from home or even the stands. I want to be on the field, Lord, Your field and filled with You. Who can be weaker than these, Lord? You love the downtrodden, Lord and You work through the weak. In these, Lord, show us Your glory. I love you.
Thank you and I hope that you'll share with us in this season:
See you soon and, as always, I love you.
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