In October, a team of volunteers experienced the joy of conducting a Journey to the Heart in four prisons. God moved in a mighty way! It was thrilling to see Him working in the lives of approximately 200 inmates who attended those Journeys. God’s Word is not bound, and the Spirit of God applied the Word in a powerful way in the hearts of these incarcerated men and women. 

One inmate we will call Joe* shared with his team about his struggle with a particular sin. Later, one of the Journey volunteers was able to speak one-on-one with Joe. The volunteer tactfully asked him some questions to discern the root of what was going on in his life. It came to light that Joe had been hurt when he was younger. He was harboring bitterness toward the person who had wounded him so deeply. With this revelation, Joe learned how to deal with bitterness and was able to pray and forgive the person who had hurt him. Afterward, when the volunteer shared with other volunteers about how God moved in Joe’s life, it was noted that the Lord also brought Joe deliverance from other dark things in his life as well. Praise the Lord!

We saw God’s Spirit move again on Friday, the last day of Journey. The Journey graduation for the inmates was scheduled for 2 p.m. in the chapel. However, the prison unexpectedly had entered into lockdown because of a potentially missing inmate. Normally during prison lockdowns, very minimal movement happens. Volunteers are not allowed in. Due to the lockdown, it was uncertain whether or not the planned graduation would happen. 

But God moved! Not only was the graduation ceremony allowed to happen, but the prison even let the volunteers come back in the evening to finish out the Journey! One of the volunteers who has been doing prison ministry for over twenty years said this was the first time he had ever seen volunteers allowed on a prison compound when it is under lockdown. Praise God for His moving! He gave favor to the Journey group and participating inmates in allowing the graduation to occur. Praise His name for His opening the right doors for the Journey event to go forward in spite of the obstacles! 

In another account, two sisters whom we will call Sally* and Jane* were incarcerated together in one of the women’s prisons. Outwardly, Sally and Jane appeared to have a great relationship. However, in reality, they held deep hurt and bitterness toward each other. Partway through the Journey, a message was shared on forgiveness. Afterward, the inmates were given the opportunity to come forward and pray with volunteers to forgive those who had offended them. Sally came forward to speak with a volunteer. While the two were talking, Jane joined them. Jane began to list the wrongs she had done to her sister and asked Sally for forgiveness. Sally then did the same: she sought forgiveness from her sister Jane! Many tears were shed as the two sisters forgave each other. The volunteer said that hearing these two sisters pray together after they had just reconciled was incredibly powerful. Praise the Lord! 

At the end of the week, God also opened up a special opportunity for the team of volunteers in one prison to pray with the inmates in solitary confinement. It was the last day the volunteers would be in that prison. The volunteers were able to visit an entire dorm that day and pray with every person who requested prayer. One inmate who was in solitary confinement tearfully shared that she had specifically prayed that God would send her encouragement that day. Praise the Lord that, according to Psalm 102:20, He hears the groanings of the prisoners. God tangibly answered this inmate’s simple cry for encouragement, which surely increased her faith and the reality that the Lord cares for her! 

To God be the glory for the work He is doing in the lives and hearts of incarcerated men and women! Please pray for the inmates who attended the Journey to the Heart; pray that God might stir their hearts to continue to seek His face, abide in His Word, and say “yes” to Him in every area of their lives. 

*Names have been changed to protect the inmates’ privacy.