Times of joy

These were some of the reactions from the men leaving the prison chapel, having witnessed the baptism of one of their fellows. The change from gang leader and cage fighter to radiant Christian had been noted by officers and inmates alike. His face had become ‘as the face of an angel’ (Acts 6:15), looking very different from his prison ID. I had the privilege of preparing him for baptism and used several PF Bible studies to explore faith with him, which he found challenging and helpful. Many thanks to the people at PF who produce them.

Times of joy are rare in prison. Supporting those who have been bereaved brings home the depth of sorrow felt by people deprived of visiting their loved one for one last time, or attending their funeral. Sometimes the hard shell softens, and the real, vulnerable, grieving person is revealed for a few moments. To be trusted as a ‘safe’ person, and to show them the love God has for them as an individual rather than a prison number, is humbling. Jesus said ‘I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you’ (John 14:18). He does that partly through the bereavement support we can offer through PF.

The continuing prayers of PF volunteers play a huge part in supporting prison chaplains, too. One chaplain has told me several times that when he is facing a situation, he can feel that people have prayed. There are many disappointments in chaplaincy work, but also great encouragements when lives are changed.

‘The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective’ (James 5:16).

Thank you for your willingness to participate in God’s work in prisons. 

Rev. Judy Henderson Smith is a PF Group Leader, Letter Link writer, Pastoral Care volunteer and licensed chaplaincy volunteer.

Download the June Prayer Diary, with a prompt each day for how we can pray for our prisons and our ministries.

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