From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
I received a letter recently from a man whom I had written some time ago.
John (not his real name) was sentenced and began serving a 6-year prison term for manslaughter for killing two people whom he struck with his car while under the influence of alcohol.
It was a tragic accident, a day that John will regret for the rest of his life.
His family and the families of the deceased are devastated and battling both sorrow and anger.
What does one say to such a person under these conditions?
Jesus talked about the need to visit those in prison in Matthew 25, and then in Hebrews 13:3 it says, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners…”
I do not have visiting privileges with John so I decided to sit down and write him a simple letter telling him that I was thinking of him and praying for him and his family.
I was not expecting a reply back but his letter indicated that he was really struggling with the guilt of his crime.
He mentioned that prayer and reading a Bible were helping him deal with his thoughts.
It was also a comfort to him to know that friends and family were praying for him and asking about him.
I was very careful what I wrote in my letter to John as security is tight and all correspondence is investigated.
I am not sure how John puts in his days but I am guessing that letters from outside are something that he would look forward to receiving.
Hope is not a commodity found in abundance behind prison walls.
Despair, discouragement, depression, and loneliness are all competing to choke out the rays of hope that need to break through to a person incarcerated.
If you know someone behind bars, a visit is something they would appreciate.
Failing that, a letter or card would lift them up.
If you do not know anyone in prison, perhaps consider supporting a chaplain who works with prisoners, or an organization that reaches out to the families of those serving time.
A little effort can go a long way in brightening someone’s day in these circumstances.
No wonder the Bible encourages us to take action on their behalf.
