Praying for Prisoners

"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Acts 12:5

Herod Agrippa was on a mission. After he had James put to death, he arrested Peter and was going to put him on public trial after the Passover. Of course he was. After the Passover when the big crowd was gone, then he would haul Peter out so he could make the most of the opportunity without too big of a reaction. But you see, Peter was on a mission also. Herod and Peter were on different missions. You could say they were on opposite missions. Most of us have a knee-jerk reaction to prison. Isn't that where criminals are kept? Well, yes it is. It is a place where people who have broken the law are kept. Are there any good people in prison? Are there really any "good" people at all? Not really, in the doctrinal sense.

So, what should be our attitude about those in prison? Should it be different about those who are imprisoned for "righteous" reasons? Or, how about those who are wrongfully accused? (there are more of those than we would like to admit) What about "lifers" or those convicted of heinous crimes? What about those who have addiction issues? Or, what about those who did heinous things while they were addicted? We should not be too quick to lump together all those in prison in any "locked down" categories.
The Bible sets apart just a few categories for special consideration. Throughout the Word of God there is a consistent compassion encouraged for widows, orphans and prisoners. These categories are never defined by the seriousness of their crimes. For example, only those widows who were excellent mothers. Or only those widows whose husbands died righteously. Never are orphans born out of wedlock given a second-class consideration. In the same way prisoners were well, just prisoners. Like widows and orphans, those who need compassion. So often we so want to close our eyes and close the doors and throw away the key.

I know Peter was arrested by someone who had ulterior motives. But, he was arrested within the parameters of the law. As was Jesus, by the way. Jesus had broken Sabbath Law. Jesus had broken civil law. Not as sin, but because He was following a higher Law. Wow. We should revisit our perception and issues about prisoners. I know my perspective was enlightened after a family member spent time in prison. I already was somewhat sensitized by having done prison ministry. But to visit family in prison is a different experience. I bet actually being in prison is a different experience too.
So what do we do. For whatever reason anyone is in prison, we should pray for them. Just like the early church prayed for Peter. Prison is not easy, on any level. People come to Christ in prison. Peter witnessed to people in prison. People in prison have witnessed to people who are not in prison. I have countless brothers and sisters in Christ who are in prison, for whatever reason. Prison is real and needs to be considered prayerfully. If you have been set free by Christ, then you should have compassion for those who are not free. Whether they are being persecuted or punished. Let us all agree to earnestly pray for any who are in prison. God does miracles in prison. More about this later.

A bond-servant of the Lord,
Pastor Fred

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