Prayer is one of the most powerful and important parts of the Christian life. Through prayer, we are able to reach out to God, praise Him, share our hearts, and make requests. In 1 Thessalonians 5, we are reminded of the importance of prayer.
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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
As part of our recognition of the importance of prayer, we ask that you join us in praying for inmates in these 12 ways today.
Pray for Inmates to Look Up
Healing and Recovery
When praying for inmates, lift up the need for healing and recovery. All people have had their lives touched by sin and need to find healing. For inmates, this is no different. In addition to the need for healing from sins and past abuse, many inmates’ lives have been touched by addiction to drugs and alcohol. Lift up their need to be healed and to begin walking with the Lord toward recovery.
Peace
Many inmates struggle with guilt, anger, and other emotions that prevent them from enjoying peace of mind. Lift up these feelings and pray for them to find peace with those feelings. Pray for inmates to receive the peace of Christ in their hearts and grow closer to Him during their time in prison.
Patience
As inmates serve their time, pray that they are able to be patient. Inmates need patience, not only to help them as they wait for release, but also in day to day life. Inmates need patience as they interact with other prisoners, guards, and with their own thoughts. Ask God to bless inmates with patience.
Salvation
We are passionate about making disciples in prisons. Pray that inmates are able to see their need for Christ and his free gift of salvation. Through this salvation, we hope to see inmates experience transformation in their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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“Father, I am praying for inmates to look up to You and see Your glory. For their eyes to be opened for them to open their hearts and minds to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I pray that they see their need for saving grace and accept Christ as the true Messiah. I pray that those who have accepted this free gift experience peace, patience, and healing. ”
Pray for Inmates to Look Out
Resources
Pray inmates begin to seek out spiritually edifying resources. Pray that they are able to find Bibles, Bible studies, and Christian books to help them grow in faith. Learning about the word of God is a cornerstone to growing your relationship with Him. Lift up the need for inmates to receive Christian resources. You can also take a role in meeting this need by donating your gently used Bibles and Christians books to CLI.
Connection
Part of growing in faith involves finding a community where you can grow. Pray for inmates to reach out to their chaplain’s office and to other believers to find a community of Christians where they can all praise God.
Discipleship
Pray inmates to be discipled during their time in prison. Lift up their need to find teachers who can help them grow in faith and for them to learn to be discipled by the Spirit. If you feel you called to join others who are using their time to disciple inmates, consider volunteering as a CLI Minister. You can volunteer from anywhere and answer keys are provided, so you don’t have to be a theologian to make a massive impact on an inmate’s life.
Guidance
Pray for inmates to look beyond their own understanding and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. All believers depend on the Holy Spirit to guide them as they grow in faith and walk alongside Christ. Pray for inmates to learn to quiet their hearts and follow Christ as the one true King.
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“I pray that inmates seek out other believers to join in community with. I pray that they are able to find the resources they need to read and learn from the Bible. I lift up their need to be able to grow and become strong disciples of Christ, allowing Him to guide them and order their steps. ”
Pray for Inmates to Look In
Open-Mindedness
Pray for inmates to have open minds and hearts. Pray for them to be receptive to the gospel and to see it as truth when it is presented to them. Pray that they are sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and are ready to follow.
Understanding
When inmates are incarcerated, they can often feel confused, lost, and frustrated. Lift up their need to have an understanding of God’s sovereignty in their lives. Pray that this gives them comfort, as well as a deeper understanding of themselves and their situation.
Courage
Prison is one of the darkest places, so you can pray for inmates to be courageous in their faith during their time in prison. Pray for them to grow stronger in faith and closer to God. Also, pray that they may be protected during their sentence and they are able to stand strong against the enemy.
Boldness
Pray for inmates to find boldness in their faith during their time in prison. Lift up the many inmates who have faith in God and pray for them to share the truth of the gospel with other inmates during their time in prison.
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“Father, I pray that inmates in their seeking are able to be open-minded to your leading. I pray that they are able to understand that you are Lord and you are working in their lives for good. I also pray for them to be courageous and bold during their time in prison. I pray that they have the opportunity and courage to share the gospel with those around them. ”
If you have a passion for praying for inmates, considering becoming a CLI Prayer Warrior!
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As a jail Chaplain I get asked all the time to pray for the court outcome to be favorable for the inmate. I simply pay this way, "Father God we ask that you Lord be involved in the decisions made in this persons case. Lord that you would guide and direct the judge, jury and all involved in the way You want the outcome to be. Father I also pray that the inmate would be open and willing to accept Your decision in this Father be it good or bad. We pray these things in Christ name, Amen."
This seems to satisfy most of the request we get without asking God to free a person who is guilty.
I don’t like to arrest anyone peaples attitudes ways can get harmful anger issues Kevin Madison you know him Lord better than anyone grant my prayers for him now in jail that bibles chances to accept jeses as savior jail church ministry’s other good resources so he can do better when released good working help ways in his situation now Lord jeses pray for I’m sorry what happened did pray protection for Kevin Donna their relationship problems be in the mist of their need and troubles make a way blessed councler they can talk out issues problems feel better Lord help heel the homelessness addictions family difficulty’s in your protection I pray amen Jennifer scott