Hudson Taylor once stated, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” When it is God Who has initiated the work and it is God Who is doing the work, there is no need for worry because HE IS the Supply and the Supplier.

During the recent Prison Journey to the Heart in March, it was awesome to see God doing the work. The Lord opened the doors of four correctional institutions for the Journey staff, along with approximately eighty volunteers from across the United States, to conduct Journeys for the incarcerated. Attending the event were approximately 250 adult male, female, and youthful female offenders. Throughout the week, many amazing “breakthrough” experiences occurred as God touched the hearts and lives of the inmates. 

For example, one evening before some of our female volunteers left one of the women’s units, they were granted permission to walk to the youthful offender dorm, stand outside the dorm, and pray for the inmates. This was quite an amazing opportunity, especially since youthful offenders are some of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, inmates to reach. Even though this experience might have seemed small, the Bible states that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16) and to have the blessing of the prison authorities to do something such as this was huge!

Another exciting testimony of God’s work during the Prison Journey took place at another female institution. On the last day of the Journey as the program was coming to a close, a message was shared about having an interpersonal relationship with God. Alicia*, a 25-year-old inmate, approached some of our volunteers. Alicia told them that she had “gotten nothing” out of the Journey until that day. After making that statement, she walked off and began to cry. Not knowing the circumstances or situation, the volunteers stopped what they were doing and prayed for Alicia and that she would be drawn to the Lord.

Several hours later, Alicia came to the same volunteers and asked if she could speak with them. As they sat down and talked, Alicia shared how her father was a Satanist and that he had been abusive to her. She explained that she had always thought of close relationships as a negative thing. After hearing that the Lord desired a close relationship with her and why, Alicia began to realize that she could actually trust God and allow Him to get to know her. After finishing the conversation and praying with the volunteers, Alicia stood and seemed to literally have a bounce in her step due to the new joy and excitement now in her heart!

These two testimonies are just a sample of the many things that Lord did during the March Prison Journeys. Not only did inmates find a more intimate relationship with the Lord, but many of them began walking with Him for the first time! Please pray that the seeds that were sown would take root and would grow to complete maturity, bearing much fruit for God’s Kingdom.

*Name has been changed for privacy purposes.