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“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ”
The spiritual forces of darkness are waging war inside our prisons. Their weapons are cunning, deceit, and hatred. They are unceasing in their quest to destroy the souls of men. Their deception comes in many forms, from the “protection” of prison gangs to the “escape” of illicit drugs to the “promise” of false religions.
They are at war with God and His servants, and Christian Library International is engaging them with the only weapon they fear—the light of Christ. Just a few weeks ago, we received a letter from an inmate who was saved from Islamic terrorism. James Kyle was a Muslim convert who was radicalized in prison. In his letter, he explains how God used CLI to open his eyes to the dangers of Islam. “I was brought up Christian, but I turned to Islam. I was running from Jesus.”
He was well on his way to becoming a terrorist, but God had other plans for his life. “One day I picked up the tract, ‘The Seven Path Signs,’ he wrote. “After reading it, I picked up a Bible and started to cry out to God.” This was the turning point in James’ life. “I started to walk with Jesus,” he said.
“I had the warden take the Quran and prayer rug out of my cell. Now it’s just me and Jesus and the word of God. I was a man that backed ISIS. Now the Lord has shown me that terrorism is a curse.”
Then there is the story of David Harvey. After receiving a CLI gospel tract in prison, David shared snippets of his life in a brief letter. “I was raised in a Christian family,” he began, “but I never listened to my parents’ instruction. At 16 I dropped out of school, ran away from home and lived like an outlaw on the street. I was drinking, smoking pot, and making bad choices. Now, I’m in prison for the crime I committed. I crossed the red line, and it will never go away.” While in prison, David received a gospel tract from CLI, and on that day the hopelessness of his past gave way to a future filled with hope.
“Because of CLI,” he wrote, “I have found Christ! Your tract, The Journey Begins: Path to God, shaped my character to become a Christ follower.” David ended his letter by thanking CLI for “the important work you do in this world.” He has recently signed up for our Leadership Bible Study, which will prepare him to lead other inmates to Christ.
The struggle against the forces of darkness within our prisons is a spiritual battle for the souls of our men and women behind bars. The stories of James and David and so many others like them give testimony to the power of Christ’s light and to the hope that Christian Library International brings to prisons all across America.
Make a donation today, and help us continue sending gospel tracts, Christian books, and Bibles to inmates.
