‘Walking in newness’ – Andy Prescott
As we approach the beginning of a new year, the idea of a fresh start may resonate deeply.
For people in prison, this can feel like a distant hope. Yet, no matter how difficult the past, God offers new beginnings to everyone. Around the world in 2024, we saw incredible examples of new starts: communities rebuilt after natural disasters, historic peace agreements in regions long troubled by conflict, and breakthroughs in medical research offering new hope to those facing illness. These stories remind us that change is always possible, no matter the circumstances.
The Bible speaks powerfully about transformation. In Revelation 21:5, God declares: ‘I am making everything new!’ This promise is not only about the end of time; it is also a reflection of the renewal He offers us here and now. But how can we embrace these new beginnings that God offers?
For many, starting afresh means confronting the past and choosing to leave it behind. The prophet Isaiah shares God’s words in Isaiah 43:18-19: ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!’
This can be a difficult step – especially for people in prison. Regret, shame, and broken relationships can feel like insurmountable barriers. But God does not ask us to navigate this alone. He provides the strength to release what binds us and step forward into something new.
A few weeks ago, I was reading feedback provided by recent Sycamore Tree graduates. It was clear that participating in the programme was helping them in taking this step – enabling them to process their past and seek reconciliation. Many graduates confirm that Sycamore Tree has given them a fresh perspective and hope for the future.
True transformation begins with understanding and accepting God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.’ God’s grace is not dependent on what we have done or who we have been. It’s freely given to anyone who turns to Him.
Through Jesus Christ, we are offered a new identity as God’s children. This truth applies to everyone—whichever side of the prison gate we find ourselves. Accepting this gift is the foundation of any new beginning.
Once we accept God’s grace, we are called to live in a way that reflects His work in us. Philippians 3:13-14 encourages us:
‘Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’
People in prison might be pursuing education, rebuilding family relationships, or mentoring others in their journey of faith. As we so often see through Prison Fellowship’s work, small acts often spark profound change, paving the way for restored relationships.
As we enter 2025, let us remember that God’s power to renew and restore knows no bounds. No matter where we find ourselves—whether behind prison walls or facing struggles of our own—a new beginning is possible through Jesus. His love transforms us, giving us a hope that no circumstance can take away.
In this new year, please can I challenge you to use the Prison Fellowship Prayer Diary daily? Join us every day in bringing people in prison before God as they move towards their new beginnings.
Andy Prescott is Prison Fellowship’s Head of Fundraising and Communications.
Download the January Prayer Diary, with a prompt each day for how we can pray for our prisons and our ministries.
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