The reminder of her last request came in the form of an article by In Touch Ministries titled “The Family That Walks Through Walls”. It is a must read for the body of Christ, whether your church has a prison ministry or not. That alone is a subject for a whole other blog. God used this article to reopen the eyes of my heart to the view I honestly did not want to see. I am not ignorant to this world that lies behind rows of razor wire fences and behind thick block walls where the members must live behind bars. I have witnessed this setting from a visitors point of view only to be reminded each time, how God’s love needs to shine through. The members who live there had made bad choices and they are living out their consequences, but they still are still human beings. Believers and non-believers alike live there and they need to be encouraged and shown God’s love.
“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them..” Hebrews 13:3 A (NKJV)
As I have grown in Christ, this verse really hit a string in my heart that said “Do you remember her last request?” The answer is yes, but I need your guidance Lord to show me how.
I am not asking you, who do not know my brother, to remember him. I am however asking you to remember all of those who live behind bars. For loving and ministering to them is to love and server our Lord.
“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘ Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:36-40 (NIV)
Do you have a loved one, who is in prison? Reach out to them, fill their mail with encouragement and pray over them daily. Do you know of a church member (yes, there are a few there) who is incarcerated? Pray for them and their family, God’s love needs to be shown. Encouragement from the body is needed for all.
When was the last time something was asked of you? Have you honored it?
In His Love, Crisi