Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled.

Recently in HMP Hindley…

A prisoner was brought to my attention. He asked to come down to the chapel for a chat as he was suffering from anxiety. I went to his wing and brought him over.

As we sat talking over coffee, he opened up about his situation. He had been through a series of very stressful experiences which had taken their toll on his mental health. He was struggling with anxiety, depression and sleepless nights.

He said he was Church of England and had gone to church throughout his life, but when I asked him if he had ever had a personal, salvation encounter with Christ he said he had not and that he was not even aware that this was possible.

I shared several Scriptures about how we can find peace and rest in Christ and then asked him if he wanted to receive Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Immediately he responded with an emphatic “Yes” and I was able to lead him in a prayer of salvation. I then gave him a Bible and some follow up material. He said he felt a great weight had lifted off him and he was now at peace.

He is due for release in a few weeks and I have put him in touch with a church in his local area which is in The Welcome Directory.* He knows the place and thinks it will be a good fit for him. Please pray for “P” that he will go from strength to strength in the Lord.

Nick Stirling

*A directory of places of worship prepared to welcome ex-offenders and support them in being integrated back into society to lead law-abiding lives