God Can Touch Your Life, Even In Prison!

Healing and Restoration In The ALPHA Course.

During a recent session of the latest Alpha Course in one of the prisons in which I work, one prisoner suddenly became very emotional. He said “I am fifty-three years old and my life is a complete mess. I have a brain injury sustained during a suicide attempt and I get really angry and frustrated at times. I can't stand crowded, noisy situations. I just begin to panic. I am in this prison because the red mist just descends and I can't control the anxiety and I lash out at people. Because of this I have alienated most of my friends and family.”

He said he has given his heart to the Lord; he loves Jesus and wants to follow Him but can't get past this problem. He then burst into tears. At this, one of the other prisoners jumped up and came over to him saying “Let me give you a hug mate. You are not alone. I too was all messed up and angry with everyone and everything, and I gave my family problems, but when I asked Jesus into my life He healed my anger and gave me His peace and His joy. Now I know my past has all been forgiven me. The Lord Jesus gave me a new life and restored all that I had lost, and I know He can do the same for you.”

A great calm came over him and I agreed that salvation in Christ also included healing and restoration. There were six prisoners in the session that day together with me and two volunteers and we all gathered round the distressed man and prayed for him. As the tears flowed we knew that God had touched his life. He returned from the chapel to the wing feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

We all remarked on how wonderful it was to see the prisoners themselves encouraging one another and ministering to one another in this way. I thank God that He has granted that I should be part of the wonderful work He is doing in this prison ministry. Please pray for us, that the Lord will continue to bless us throughout the next four weeks of this Alpha Course.

Nick Stirling