I am always amazed but never surprised to witness the power of God as He works through those who move out of His way to serve His children. This past weekend, my husband and I served on a Kairos team that allowed us to be eyewitnesses to God’s love being shared with those inside the walls of a prison. Each Kairos weekend humbles me beyond description; to look at the faces of men who have never had a visitor, perhaps never heard a kind word spoken, or for others who have never heard the words, “I love you” even from a parent. In some cases their entire life has been viewed through a television screen instead of the beauty of it first hand. In some cases their entire adult life began in their teens. In some cases this will be the only life they will ever know.

On Thursday night 42 men, dressed in green, walked into the gymnasium. Each man’s face displayed a frown that matched the clinched fists at their side. The stone hearts and calloused souls overflowed with skepticism and doubt. They wondered what they must give up to receive this time away from their prison jobs, prison food, and prison atmosphere. They have learned not to let their guard down, so they build walls around themselves. Some walls are very high and some are very thick but each brick of the wall is a brick built by sin in one form or another.

Over the three-day weekend, the inmates listen to talks given by clergy and lay people. They learn that we too are sinners and are, in some cases, just as guilty as they are of some of the crimes they have committed. The difference is, they got caught. The terrifying reality is that we are ALL sinners. We ALL make bad choices. We all fall short of God’s will for us. We too need God’s forgiveness and the salvation that can only be found through the sacrificed blood of Jesus Christ.

Little by little and brick by brick the walls they’ve built around themselves begin to fall. Little by little the Light begins to shine into this cold dark place. Little by little they allow the Spirit of God to fill them, guide them, and redeem them into gentle warriors for Christ. Little by little they learn to forgive, be forgiven, and find they are deserving of forgiveness.

In John 8:7, Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger…he straightened up and said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.” Our mission is to simply, “Listen, Listen, Love, Love.” That’s all we do…that’s all we need to do. That’s all Jesus instructs us to do.

Written by the Holy Spirit through Brenda Bates – March 2006

Kairos means "God's Special Time"
For more information on this ministry please visit, www.KairosPrisonMinistry.org .

By Diane Ball © 1978
In His time, in His time;
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me every day
As You're teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say in Your time.

In Your time, in Your time;
You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring;
May each song I have to sing
Be to You a lovely thing in Your time.

My personal thoughts:
While in prison we don’t ask what crime has been committed - we don’t want to know. It’s not our job to judge or dismiss their sin but to pray that their hearts will be changed and be renewed. My heart hurts for those who have been victims of these men. I can’t imagine the parent’s pain caused by the loss of a child from the drugs sold to them, a drunken driver, or from the gun that killed them. I can’t imagine the horrific crimes they have committed but I have witnessed transformation. I have never heard them say that they don’t deserve to be there. I have never heard them say the trial was unjust, unfair, or undeserved. What I have heard is that prison saved their life. Many were on the road to destruction of others, self, or both. Like Jonah in the belly of the big fish, God provided prison as their big fish - a refuge. I’m sure some only go through the motions; yet others are in desperate need of forgiveness. Going into prison does not mean that I believe in their innocence, it’s because I believe in the blood of Christ and that no sin is unforgivable.

Scripture:
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

“The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
~Matthew 25:34-40~

Brenda recommends: *****  Redeeming Love
By Francine Rivers / Multnomah Publishers Inc.

Take a fresh look at the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea with this modern retelling! Years after being sold into slavery during the California gold rush, Angel meets Michael. This godly man tries to draw the troubled young woman into the Savior's redeeming love, but after such a tragic life will her heart open to faith? 472 pages, softcover from Multnomah.

Kairos Prayer Vigil: