For some years I have been very mindful of the Christian work that goes on in our prisons. Back in my time living in Milton Keynes I had the privilege of visiting HMP in MK.
This is a top security Prison housing some of our worst offenders. Men on life sentences.
I joined the Sycamore Tree Trust, a restitutional justice scheme that went into the prisons to share Scripture & to underline that there was a way back to God from the dark paths of sin. I saw in our meetings men who were seeking to make amends for their crimes & admitting their need of a Saviour.
When I moved to Reading I joined Philippa and Gerard Crispin in the Prison Resources Charity. Visiting Reading YOI Prison I heard many heart breaking stories from young men whose lives were often marred by neglect, family break ups and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But the opportunity to hear the saving message of the gospel and for them to hear that Christ died for sin-ners was an experience so new to them and several accepted Christ as their Saviour!
Moving on then into Horsham, although not being able to visit prisons, Steve and I encountered Daylight Prison Ministry. Whilst not visiting actual prisons we joined their prayer group and so daily we are directed to pray for various HMPs. It is so really encouraging to hear the various ac-counts of the work of chaplains and the burgeoning longing of those in Prison for “freedom”. The freedom that comes from knowing that there is redemption in Christ. We are thrilled that Bibles are being distributed in those prisons and even baptisms are taking place!
For me, a further opportunity to support the work of the gospel in Prison is the letter writing facility. So I now write to one prisoner and while it takes time to get a reply, this man, spiritually is close to my heart. And we pray for him daily. He has become a Christian while in prison and hopes to be released in the summer. So he needs our prayer.
These words of the Lord from Isaiah 42:7…”to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from pris-on and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”, are surely so apposite.
So we continue to pray for those in darkness that the light of the gospel will break into their lives and they will be saved!
Sandra
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