A Letter To A Prisoner

Our church has a prison ministry, and dozens of men and women are putting their trust in Christ, so here is an actual letter that we wrote to a prisoner who is in for life (but have changed his name).

Letters to Prisoners

Our church ministers to the poor, those in nursing homes and hospitals, but also prisoners who have requested pen pals or asked for Bible studies, and so we minister to men and women in state prisons and state hospitals because in most cases, their families have forsaken them, their friends are done with them, and all they have left is Christ, but when a person is broken and has come to an end of all options in their life, that’s when they are humbled by circumstances and some place their faith in Christ. They see that their only way out is up! That is, all they have left is hope in Christ, and ironically, hundreds have been set free behind bars, and now await the day of the Lord’s return. The name has been changed but everything else is accurate in this letter to a prisoner who we will call “Richard.”

Hello Richard

I got your letter and began to pray right away, and our church prayed for you Sunday and I gave the prayer request as an “unspoken need,” as you requested, but I believe, from what you’ve told me, that you are under spiritual attack. Why are you receiving so many spiritual attacks? It’s because those who make the greatest differences in the kingdom are the enemies greatest threat, and the enemy doesn’t bother with silent, under-ground, Christians or “pew potatoes” (like I was for so long). They will go after those who are making a positive difference in the kingdom. I sense you need our ongoing prayer, so when you feel you are under attack (which may come in the form of depression, feelings of worthlessness, or despair), know that we are holding your arms up as Aaron and Hur held up Moses arms when his arms grew weary. You cannot see these “invisible prayer-arms” holding you up, but they are there, nonetheless. Believe me, I know what it feels like to be drained, poured out for others like a drink offering, and having nothing left in the spiritual tank! We give, give, give, and none give to back to us…but I will pray for you brother! I also have people holding me to invisible and unreasonable expectations, so I feel that too, but you know what…that’s a sign of being a spiritual leader. Other men who do nothing for Christ and are silent in their testimony, don’t know what that feels like, but you do because you are helping these men. And yes, it is draining, so I pray for God to fill you brim full with His Sprit to help strengthen you.

Making a Difference

Think about this….what if you were not there and the men in your cellblock or floor did not have someone like you to listen to them or counsel them…what would come of them? Would they have received biblical counsel or have their questions answered…or, would they have been led to Christ?! Possibly not because you wouldn’t have been there to share Christ, so just as you helped in opening the doors of heaven for some of these men, you must realize that it was for such a time and place as this that God has appointed you. That’s the way God works, but of course, you already know that. The Word of God cuts me to the quick before it cuts them….but it cuts in order to heal. The surgeon’s scalpel hurts, but it just might save your life. You might feel alone, but you are not alone. And, you are just the opposite of many I know because you are humble, and that’s who God extends His grace to (James 4:6). You said you are broken and messed up, but our church is close to railroad tracks and I remind the church that every time I hear a train, remember, we’re all train wrecks before God, but God is in the restoration business! God rarely calls the mighty, strong, or the rich, so I think it’s good to admit what you said. We are all broken…and have been since The Fall (Gen 3).

Growing in the Lord

You said to tell you where you are growing. Here’s how I know you are in Christ and in His Word. You said “Guys in hear tell me I give them hope.” Wow! Next, you said you spend your days reading Our Daily Bread, Faith 2 Faith, The Bible, praying, and listening to Bible teachers , so that is evidence, in fact, strong evidence of a deep hunger for God and to know His Word better. That shows evidence that you are growing in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord, so there you go. A year ago, did you spend this much time studying the things of God? Look back, 1 or 2 years ago, and see how you time spent studying His Word has increased and how you have changed toward the things of God! You are near and dear to me Richard. Something happened…and our souls were knit together by God’s Spirit. It is a glorious thing!

Why Suffering?

I am your friend. You can vent all you want to. It’s okay. I can take it. Friends are born (created for or purposed for) adversity, and here I am brother. You are special to me, but as for all these heavy burdens and trials….guess what? Jesus could come back at any moment…..and BOOM! Problem Solved! Someday we will hear, “Look! It’s Jesus coming on the clouds.” For some, that will be a time of joy, but for others, they will mourn, having rejected Christ (Rev 1:7). I must close because it’s Sunday and I must rest. I continue praying for you, and our church are holding up your hands by our prayers.   Why is all this happening to you brother? I don’t know. I’m just a clay vessel myself, so I don’t know what shape the Master Potter has in mind, but He’s not done with you yet, and you have God’s finger prints on you.

I am sending you something very, very special….my sermon outline I used for preaching on why there is suffering and how God uses it. I don’t do this for anyone…but thought this might be of some use to you…some of this I wrote thinking of you brother!

PS, Did you know that I save every letter you write…and the same for the other prisoners, but yours is on top of the stack!

My love to you in Christ.  Stay hungry

Jack

Conclusion

Why should we pay any heed to those who are locked up behind bars? Why not? Jesus says what we do for the least of these (Matt 25:35-36), we do for Him (Matt 25:40). They, like us, have made mistakes and have paid for their crime, or are currently paying for their crime, but many have been brought to an end of themselves and are left with no hope at all. This is the perfect time to offer the hope that is found in Christ. Do we know for sure who is and who isn’t saved? No, but many are so hungry for the Word of God and want to search out Scriptures on this subject or others, and we know that a hunger for God’s Word is generally a byproduct of the Holy Spirit because as the Apostle Paul said, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit” (Rom 8:5), and many prisoners know they’ll never get out, so all they can do, and in many cases, they are compelled to do by God’s Spirit, is to share Christ with other prisoners. Besides, before we put our trust in Christ, we were all on death row, awaiting sentencing that comes after death (Heb 9:27).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is a writer at Christian Quotes and also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.