Quick reminder: Pray for those in prison

 

Even as you rejoice in life, keep in mind there are others who suffer and are even in prisons. Spare a moment to pray for those in prison, especially those who are imprisoned for bearing witness to Christ. Pray for children in prison. Pray for those who did commit crimes and now sincerely want to repent and even for the prison staff. Pray for the release of those unjustly imprisoned. Also, pray for peace in prisons where you know things are not going right.

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)

 

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Forever stuck on preaching to one person?

All praise be to the Lord God for his mercy towards all who repent. Thanks be to Jesus Christ the high priest of our confession. O Lord guide us by your Holy Spirit to have a right understanding of people and situations in our daily life and in doing your will on earth. Amen.

 

When preaching the Gospel one may at times encounter people who reject Christ or even don’t want to repent of their sins. The basic course of action nowadays to is to pray, reflect on the Bible and attempt once again to preach the Gospel to such people. At times this does work and people do actually repent and believe in the Gospel. Praise God for that!

Now there are people who are very stubborn and just do not want to accept the Gospel no matter what. They don’t care at all. They don’t want to listen and are adamant with their sinful lifestyles.  Are we to forever to keep having a go at them with our preaching?

The answer is a NO. Because even Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to keep on preaching forever to the persistently unrepentant. In fact here’s what he said to them:

Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. (Luke 10:5-12)

Nowadays, if you were to act like this towards persistent rejectors of the Gospel, you’d be said to be a very ‘unloving’ and ‘unchristian’ person. However, you can refute such malicious judgments against you by quoting the above verses and saying Jesus himself spoke them. Also, if a person is condemning you because you’ve warned the people who rejected the Gospel, you must realize that such a person has no clue about how the Gospel works. The warning is not about insulting those unbelievers but to show them that they made a wrong choice.

An example

Let me make it real to you, suppose a person is on board a passenger aircraft which is about to crash in five minutes and the air hostess tells him to wear a parachute. This is so he can join with the other passengers who already are with parachutes and waiting their turn for the jump to safety. But that guy is instead insisting on sleeping. Besides he is refusing to look out of the window which can show him that the aircraft is actually losing altitude too fast. So at like the last two minutes, the air hostess who too is wearing a parachute is at the aircraft door and yells ‘You sir are delusional. Pick it up now and jump or be toast!’ and then jumps off to safety. However, this guy is even more offended and goes on to bear the grim consequences of the plane crash into the rocky ground. Can’t blame the air hostess for her grief that the man still refused her wise words.

A word of caution

People can react negatively if you say you wipe off the dust of their town because they rejected the Gospel. So pick the words of the warning wisely. You can say something like, “You’ve been given a good chance to hear the Gospel. I don’t know if you’d get it again so that you are truly free from sin and have eternal life.” or  “Though you are entitled to your opinions against the Gospel, I certainly don’t agree to them. I continue to believe I’ve chosen the path of life and peace by accepting the Gospel.”

Fact: people may reject the Gospel

With that being said, one of points of the above verses mentioned in Luke 10:5-12 is that Jesus wanted his disciples to be mentally prepared to accept the fact that there will be people who’d reject the Gospel preached to them. Jesus didn’t tell them who exactly would be the rejectors of the Gospel. God knows best why at times we are not given a list of people who’d reject the Gospel. Wouldn’t that save our time? Yes but how will the scriptures be fulfilled? Our work is to preach the Gospel regardless of whether the person may or may not accept it. This is so that the world is given the testimony of salvation and only then can the end come. Here the specific verses:

But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. (Mark 13: 9-11)

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14)

From these verses its very clear that the Gospel must be preached to all nations as a testimony to them and then the end will come. So you cannot be indefinitely hung up on preaching to that one person who made up his or her to keep rejecting the Gospel. You could have used that time to reach out to the next person whom God leads to you to, so that person could hear the Gospel and be set free.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:13-15)

Preach but don’t be taken for a ride

There are people who are still in need of the Gospel. Spend your time preaching it to them. Some of them may reject it but others will accept it. However, you will have given more people the Gospel. In fact more than just that one person who was being used by the Devil to limit your preaching only that one. Keep this in mind the next time you encounter such a person who enjoys getting cheap and profane thrills by rejecting the Gospels and then at the end you’d know that you are not the first person who tried to preach the Gospel. Yes, such vile crooks exist. They won’t say that they have been preached over many times but they don’t bother. They will just want to see how much they can wear you out after they have mocked the Gospel.

Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before the pigs, lest they shall trample upon them with their feet, and having turned, tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

Some real life examples

I faced some situations in which people acted smart to play ignorant first and then try to attack. Here’s how it ended for two of them:

The first one, even before I’d say anything, he told me that he doesn’t want to repent and won’t trust a ‘deity’ who asks him to be pure. Somehow in my mind I realized that he seems to be aware of the Gospel’s call for repentance. He then asked me what is my reaction to what he said. I looked straight into his eyes and told him to go and live with the consequences of his decision. That was a shocker to him and he asked me if I want to try to convince him not be a sinner. He expected me to be super polite and keep saying ‘bless you’ while trying to convince him to accept the Gospel. Then since I was not bothered to preach to him, he mentioned he is aware of the Gospel but doesn’t want to accept it and has tackled many others who try to reform him. Again, I replied that it’s his choice and the consequences are his to bear. He was still astounded by my reply and I left him. This saved me from letting him have an ego trip at my expense.

The second one, at least this guy would come to speak to me and hear about the Gospel whenever he saw me. However he would not reply much. So I asked him to pray with me and he said he doesn’t have time to pray. Then I inquired how many times does he have food everyday, like is it 3 or 4 times. My intention was to get him to pray just before eating since he was not willing to pray with me. He said he doesn’t eat! So again I knew something’s not right with him and I asked if he at least eats once a day. And he again said he only smokes which make him not need food. Obviously that was a lie. Though a chronic smoker might have a reduced appetite it doesn’t mean it won’t take his need for food forever. So I let this one be stuck to his own logic. And started reaching out to others who were receptive to the Gospel.

An interesting fact

I’ve have heard and even noticed it for myself that on various social media websites, there are impious trolls who keep asking tricky questions about Christ and things of the Bible. Their idea is not to learn from Christians who may respond to their questions. It’s just to upset or confuse believers. Now, to the fact which I wanted to mention. Most of these trolls simply go to their precious little skeptic websites which they frequent and adore a lot. Lacking originality they simply copy paste those questions and then put them on social media websites usually those which have video sharing. Then come the debate sessions in form of comments between them and Christians. I simply copied those questions and did an online search which led me to the skeptic websites and also to Christian apologetic websites which already have a fitting answer those questions. Wonder why don’t these trolls visit Christian apologetic websites and get their answers from there instead. The obvious thing is that they won’t try to tackle those well versed in debates and refutations of their questions and allegations against the Gospel. Food for thought!

Finally what else must one remember

I’d say keep Jude 1:17-25 (mentioned below) in mind and you’ll do well. Here we go:

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”  It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  And have mercy on those who doubt;  save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.  Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for those unjustly in prison

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)

O Lord God, giver of justice and mercy. As great is your justice so is your mercy. We pray for those who are unjustly in prison due to their political, religion, racial and other sorts of affiliation. Grant them O Lord Jesus, true justice and deliverance. Vindicate them with full honor. Give hope and courage to them and their families in their times of suffering. Cause their lawyers to have success in pleading for their release. We pray for the physical and mental well-being of those unjustly in prison. Let all thoughts of suicide be banished from their hearts and let them have that much needed peace in times like this. We pray that they see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Cause the prison staff to have mercy on those who are falsely accused and avoid force on them. Let there be no more prison violence of any sort. O Lord set the captives free and inspire men and women of good standing to rise up against all the false accusers and workers of iniquity. We pray for both believers and unbelievers who are unjustly in prison. Let your mercy save even when all hope is lost for them. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen and amen.

Tip: Try to remember those who are falsely accused by their names in your mind when praying. Also remember the name of the prison in remembrance when you pray.

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Pray for those in prison

The Bible encourages us to remember those in prison and those who are mistreated. So it would be a wise thing to pray for them.

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)

By prisons, I mean actual prisons where people are on death row, life imprisonment etc. That shouldn’t stop you from praying for people in mental prisons of sorrow and pain etc. However, I want to speak about people who are in physical prisons at this moment. People are in prisons either justly or unjustly.

Praying for those unjustly in jail

When you read the news when in print or online, they may read something like this:

• New York Man Exonerated After Spending Nearly 30 Years In Prison For A Crime He Didn’t Commit (reference link: click here)
• Wrongfully convicted Missouri man freed after decade in jail for murder (reference link: click here)
• Lahore, false accusation of blasphemy against a Christian. Fears for his life (reference link: click here)

There are people who are falsely accused of crimes they DID NOT commit. Such people do not actually deserve to be in jail and yet there are imprisoned. There are many reasons why people are falsely accused, like political motivation, religious hatred, racism etc.

It’s a hard and trying time for those falsely accused and their families. I’ve seen the spouses and parents of those falsely accused wait outside the police stations with their little children waiting all night and day to plead with a police officer but to no avail. These family members are met with strange stares by those passing by. Inside, the people who are falsely accused have a lot of anguish to deal with. They wonder why are they there. They wonder who will employ them after their time in jail is over. Some even contemplate suicide. In short, they have very little hope.

This is where you do something relevant. If it’s in your power and scope then arrange for legal recourse to help them out of prison. Especially, if the accused is your own relative or friend then its your moral obligation to help them if they were wrongly accused. Most importantly, whether it’s a known person or not, pray for their vindication. Pray that the false accusation is disproved and the victim is set free. You can also take help from your church’s prison ministry (if your church has one) and direct them to the person who in jail due to a false accusation.

Praying for those rightfully in jail

Of course, there are people rightfully in jail too. These are in jail for crimes they actually committed. Big crimes or small crimes, such things are usually awarded jail time.

In such cases, we pray that the person in jail truly repents of his/her crime. We must also pray that they turn themselves to our Lord Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for their sins.

Now, there may be people who have truly repented in jail but are waiting for a second chance in life. It’s not that easy to get a second chance for them but we must pray for such people’s needs.

Above, all pray that all those in prison do get a chance to get right with God through Jesus Christ, so that at least they do not go the eternal prison which is Hell.

Praying for peace and order in prisons

Thinking that prisons are places where the prisoners are truly living in justice is uninformed thinking. Just because your region has good jail governance it doesn’t mean that places elsewhere too have the same good stuff. Prisons are places where some of the accused and even the prison staff are true monsters and these won’t bat an eyelid to murder or injure or even sexually assault anyone whom they can get their hands on. Here are a few headlines listed below to prove my point (I do not recommend the last link in the list for any child reading it):

• Prison violence crackdown promised by government. (reference link: click here)
• Guards Implicated in Mexico Prison’s Deadly Gang Attack (reference link: click here)
• Statistics reveal Canadian prisons becoming more violent places (reference link: click here)
• S** in men’s prisons: ‘The US system cultivates rape. If you treat people like animals, they behave like it’ (reference link: click here)

Pray therefore, that there are no instances of murders, assaults etc by prisoners nor the prison staff. Due to the stigma associated with being in prison, such things are not commonly reported to the general public or justice system. Things like this are kept under wraps. Pray that all such evil acts are exposed and those obstructing right reporting of such incidents are put to justice themselves.

A few tips that I recommend when praying for those in prison:

1. Pray in genuineness. Pray as if you too were in prison with them.
2. Pray in line with the Holy Scriptures.
3. Be aware of the law of the land.
4. Pray for the acquittal and release of falsely accused people.
5. Pray for kids who are imprisoned.
6. Keep in mind that safety of prisoners is a must.
7. Pray that the prison staff work in true justice.
8. Pray every time you see a criminal trial mentioned in the news, for true justice to prevail.
9. Pray that illegal jails are put to an end.
10. Remember both local and world jails in your prayers.
11. Pray that prison outreach ministries manage to preach the Gospel to the prisoners, safely and without hindrance from anyone.

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