PRAYER IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT-INSIDE OR OUTSIDE PRISONS
"Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!.Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the most High.Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and tore apart their bonds. For He has broken the gates of brass, and chopped
down the bars of iron." (Ps 107:8, 10, 11, 13, 14).
Have you ever found yourself thinking that convicted felons deserve to be
in prison, and because our crimes aren't so serious, or we haven't been
caught committing them we are "good" people in comparison? However, all of us have been born into the prison of sin, and until and unless we invite
Jesus Christ to come into our lives and set us free, we are just as much
prisoners as convicted felons! As believers and followers of Jesus Christ,
however, we have the privilege of praising the Lord for His goodness in
redemption and praying for those imprisoned to find Him as their Key of
Release, even behind prison walls!
"Father, we pray that Your Holy Spirit brings conviction
of guilt as to sin, righteousness and judgment to those bound in
prisons. (John 16:8-11). On behalf of the addicted, we pray they
learn to break every stronghold; demolish arguments and every
pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of You, Lord God. May their every thought be taken captive in obedience to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5).
May believers dedicate ourselves not only to pray, but also to fast. May our times of fasting be pleasing to You, Father God; may they set the oppressed free and break every ungodly yoke of bondage. (Isaiah 58:6).
May all prisoners seek to know, love, and serve You, the true and only God, with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 4:29; Mk 12:30) and place their trust in Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord. (2Pet 1:11).
That those who are enslaved to carnal desires be set free and instead hunger and thirst for Your Word, dear God, and the righteousness of Christ. (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 6:33). May each learn to be a mighty man or woman devoted to knowing You, and making You known while incarcerated, and when released return to community, church, family, and friends with the same dedication! (Mt 11:27-30; 28:19, 20).
(Some thoughts based on a prayer focus from Intercessors For America's
Washington Watch).
"Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the
LORD his God: Who made Heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that is
therein. He keeps truth for ever, and executes judgment for the oppressed.
He gives food to the hungry, and the LORD looses the prisoners." (Ps
146:5-7).
Jeff and Denyce Babbitt
Christians
