UPDATE! Reference Prison Ministry Prayer Request - not the usual

[rwsmith]

Make sure.......

Make sure that your energy goes into prayer and not into worry about the task you've taken on. I'll add what I can from this end.

Remember that Moses was 'slow to speak'. but when he said something, it had power behind it.

 

[perryhd]

Prayers sent

 

[Jessie]

Sure, but to be honest, I think He's already in communication with you.

 

[SC_Mike]

God will not ask of you what He hasn't prepared you for.

We do some work for the Kairos program in our small group. It isn't much but it does have an impact. I don't want to get in trouble or get the thread locked but search "Cookies Save Lives".

 

[straightshooter1]

I'm humbled by your attitude and your service. I will pray for you and hope you will update us on your ministry.

My past experiences make me a bit cynical when I deal with the folks you are trying to reach. I think, as others have said here, that your heart is in the right position to make an impact on them and I will pray you do.

Bob

 

[kmyers]

Prayers for you. Even those who may be or have been lost can find their way back. Always remember John Newton the writer of the song Amazing Grace based on his life experience and written after becoming a minister who in his past was pretty much like he described in the lyrics, a wretch.

 

[hivel37]

Prayer sent.

I'm humbled by your "Here am I, send me" attitude.

 

[oink]

I'm humbled by your attitude and your service. I will pray for you and hope you will update us on your ministry.

My past experiences make me a bit cynical when I deal with the folks you are trying to reach. I think, as others have said here, that your heart is in the right position to make an impact on them and I will pray you do.

Bob

I can relate very well to your feelings. This ministry is in a pre-release prison. I'm not sure what the limit is but it's for men that can see light in the tunnel. It might be 5 years or less left. I'm not sure.

Yes, after years on the job I'm a lot cynical. I wasn't sure I was appropriate for this task. I'm still not 100% sure. I realize most of these guys will be failures. However, not all will be.

Some, and what appears to be a growing number, of the ministry members are ex-cons themselves, most having been through the program while inside. The ones who are the more recent releases reek of it. Their mannerisms, their walk, their speech, etc. I think you can just about tell how long ago they got out by that. And yes, every time I interact with them I have that question in my mind, "Is this guy really still just a dirt bag in disguise?". My cynicism tells me that at least in some cases, yes.

I've also come to know some members who were inside that are now men that humble me tremendously with their faith and commitment to help others. They now stand way taller than me. Some of these are now pastors. It has been eye opening for me.

I know some of these men that have reentered life outside, professing a new faith, some that are now ministry members, will likely trip and fall. We are all subject to that. But yes their fall may be harder. But hey, they can get back up again.

Most do have a lot to overcome on a daily basis. The one time I previously participated in the program I was recognized by an inmate I used to chase around on the street. A drug dealer, from a family of criminals from the hood. That was one of my concerns that came true. But it was OK. He was in the program and it wasn't long, probably measured in minutes, before all of the inmates in the program, if not the whole prison knew. But there weren't any issues to speak of. This guy, although he appeared to be reached by the program will have a tough time. I know his relatives and the neighborhood he came from. It will be very hard when he gets out. I pray he makes it.

I do still wonder if I'm right for this task. My street reputation was not of one filled with mercy and compassion. I'm very impressed with the men involved in the program. They shame me with their faith, love for their God and neighbor and their dedication to serve. Some pretty tough examples to emulate.

Sorry for the ramble but I related to your post.

Thanks for your prayers.

29 letters to go. I'd better get cracking.

 

[Rustyt1953]

My own personal experience has been that broken vessels are comfortable around other broken vessels as we all are.

 

[Delta Expatriate]

I won't try to quote it due to the length. but your Post #28 above shows you can write and have a heart and understanding for this. There is a reason why you have been chosen.

My prayers for you - and for those to whom you are writing - have been sent.

 

[vigil617]

I can relate very well to your feelings. This ministry is in a pre-release prison. I'm not sure what the limit is but it's for men that can see light in the tunnel. It might be 5 years or less left. I'm not sure.

Yes, after years on the job I'm a lot cynical. I wasn't sure I was appropriate for this task. I'm still not 100% sure. I realize most of these guys will be failures. However, not all will be.

Some, and what appears to be a growing number, of the ministry members are ex-cons themselves, most having been through the program while inside. The ones who are the more recent releases reek of it. Their mannerisms, their walk, their speech, etc. I think you can just about tell how long ago they got out by that. And yes, every time I interact with them I have that question in my mind, "Is this guy really still just a dirt bag in disguise?". My cynicism tells me that at least in some cases, yes.

I've also come to know some members who were inside that are now men that humble me tremendously with their faith and commitment to help others. They now stand way taller than me. Some of these are now pastors. It has been eye opening for me.

I know some of these men that have reentered life outside, professing a new faith, some that are now ministry members, will likely trip and fall. We are all subject to that. But yes their fall may be harder. But hey, they can get back up again.

Most do have a lot to overcome on a daily basis. The one time I previously participated in the program I was recognized by an inmate I used to chase around on the street. A drug dealer, from a family of criminals from the hood. That was one of my concerns that came true. But it was OK. He was in the program and it wasn't long, probably measured in minutes, before all of the inmates in the program, if not the whole prison knew. But there weren't any issues to speak of. This guy, although he appeared to be reached by the program will have a tough time. I know his relatives and the neighborhood he came from. It will be very hard when he gets out. I pray he makes it.

I do still wonder if I'm right for this task. My street reputation was not of one filled with mercy and compassion. I'm very impressed with the men involved in the program. They shame me with their faith, love for their God and neighbor and their dedication to serve. Some pretty tough examples to emulate.

Sorry for the ramble but I related to your post.

Thanks for your prayers.

29 letters to go. I'd better get cracking.

Oink, God's ways are often hard for me to understand, though I certainly embrace the perfection inherent in them.

I have to say, though, that it's clear as crystal to me why He has placed this ministry in your path. And though I know you are not doing this for yourself, I hope you will be gratified by knowing that He picked you and blessed you for exactly what you are doing. He doesn't make mistakes, you know....

 

[oink]

I just (lie) want to thank all of you for your responses. They have meant a lot to me. I'm still taking too long to write the letters and I need a different perspective. I don't want them sounding too similar as they may get shared between inmates so I'd appreciate if you continue to remember me in your prayers.

The lie: Well I do have another agenda. During the program which is held in a larger room (not large enough), we have a big "prayer wheel" broken into 48 slices per day that we fill with paper stubs with the names (first name only and last initial) of people that have pledged to pray for the men during a specific half hour during the duration of the program. It covers 24 hours of the days.

It's impressive to the men who actually take the time to look at it as it shows that people from all over the country and some from around the world, are praying for the inmate participants 24 hour a day during 4 days of the program. It does mean a lot and is very emotional for some of them who otherwise have no one who cares about them. Some of these guys don't get visitors for years or a letter.

Dates and time starting Thursday April 25 at 4:00 PM through Sunday April 28 3:30 PM. 1/2 hour blocks as many as you feel led to do.

I have sign up sheets I can write you in on or I can upload the sheets and you can get others to sign up and then mail them. The sheets provide for the name on a section to be put on the wheel and a portion to be torn off and retained as a reminder for the volunteer. One member has a pastor from a church somewhere near Troy Mo that participates in this. PM for my address if interested. I'll upload and post a link if there is interest.

I know I'm pushing the envelope here and may get slapped. For those that aren't religious, just remember, even if you don't share in our belief, if the program works for a guy he is less likely to be a burden on society and criminal justice expense or cause pain or suffering to others through his actions. There are successes.

If anyone is interested in the specific program and the actual prison let me know. I know in one of the earlier replies someone mentioned a connection with a related sort of sister program.

Thanks again.

Moderator, if this is too much I'll remove this post.

 

[oink]

Bumped for update found in the first post.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Kudos for putting feet to your faith.

 

[shouldazagged]

As my late brother used to say, "On it."

There is an AA meeting in this city that used to be known informally by the people who attended it as "the cops-and-robbers meeting", because that represented the bulk of their group members--sober police officers and ex-cons. Despite their history of differences, they understood each other, tended to think alike in some ways, and understood the pitfalls each other had to avoid.

I was told by people who went there that it was a great meeting.

 

[handejector]

We have always allowed prayer requests.
I want to continue to do so.

Our rules state:

The following topics are BANNED on this Board:
Abortion
Religion
Racial issues
Gay rights/homosexuality
General LEO bashing
Political Discussion and Comment
Do NOT participate in discussion of banned topics.

Those topics are banned because we know we can't keep the peace when people discuss them. That is a fact that we know from experience.

So, I occasionally get complaints about prayer requests.
I have always replied that we do allow prayer requests, but not religious discussion, so the complainer should simply avoid threads that are prayer requests.

This is how it is going to be IF you folks wish to continue to have prayer requests-
Include "Prayer request" in the title.
Don't post your prayers in the thread.
Don't quote scripture in the thread.
Don't proselytize, preach, or engage in a discussion of religious belief or make a statement of your faith.

Follow these guidelines, and we will continue to allow prayer requests.