Pray For These This Christmas

We’re coming down the home stretch before Christmas, and you probably need a quick read as much as I need a quick post :) Let me just ask you to remember a certain segment of our population that could use our prayers during these days when so many are happily singing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”. Consider for a moment the loneliness and heartache that will be experienced by prisoners and their families.

Don and I got a glimpse into the lives of some of these families as we delivered Angel Tree gifts to the children of four prisoners a couple of nights ago. (Others in our church bought and wrapped the gifts.) In just those four visits, we saw that all kinds of people are touched by the grief of having loved ones incarcerated. The homes ranged from run-down to modest to upper middle class. One family was Caucasian, another was Hispanic, and two were African American.

People of all races and income levels will be missing a loved one who can’t be “Home for Christmas” this year. Prisoners will be aching for the comforts of home and the arms of loved ones. And let’s not forget that in some countries, some of our brothers and sisters in Christ will be spending Christmas in prison simply because they are Christians.

Take a few moments this Christmas season to lift prisoners and their families in prayer. “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners…” (Hebrews 13:3a NIV) As you do so, you will bring Christmas blessings into the lives of hurting people. People not so different from you and me…

Comments

  1. Cheryl,

    Thanks for sending out this reminder to pray for the families of prisoners as well as the persecuted Christian imprisoned. It is a good reminder in our hecticness of Christmas preparation to take time to pray for those that find themselves in challenging situations (ie. troops in Iraq).

  2. Debbie, thanks for mentioning the troops in Iraq. We need to remember them and their families as well. When you mention challenging situations, others come to mind, too, like the homeless or those grieving the loss of a loved one or missionaries around the world.

    Any other folks on anyone’s mind that could use our prayers this Christmas?

  3. Cheryl
    Very timely reminder. I think we get to meet Jesus when we welcome the lonely. We had a single friend who was alone for Christmas enjoy church and Christmas eve dinner with us yesterday. He brought some great food to share, stayed almost all day. He made us laugh with great stories, we enjoyed a great meal together. We were blessed to have him at our table. Sometimes, the people who need to be included can bless us, and they may live right around the corner.

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