“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You
should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church
to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.”
James 5:13-14 NLT
I saw something in today's reading from the Bible that I had never seen nor sensed before…
should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church
to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.”
James 5:13-14 NLT
I saw something in today's reading from the Bible that I had never seen nor sensed before…
This being that those in the body of Christ who are living within the confines of prison, are being inwardly drawn together by the Holy Spirit to help each of us to heal from the damage we did to ourselves by our sinful lifestyles.
It is more than a physical healing, or healing from a sickness, which are both readily available within the confines of a normal congregational setting. Rather, it’s the need for deep levels of emotional healing, and healing from the memories of one's selfish criminal acts which continue to haunt us.
Within the confines of a jail, or correctional facility, are a bunch of men and women who caused others to suffer by their criminal acts, be it by theft, or violence, or both. I know that the Lord Jesus has long since forgiven me for my sins and crimes. Nevertheless, I still have to deal with the memories of my actions. Along with the shame of being a convicted felon and being seen as a failure in the eyes of society.
It is indeed a heavy load a prisoner must carry every day, and this is my point. We are a unique band of brothers undergoing similar sufferings. Yet at the same time, this is what bonds us together. We pray for each other and encourage one another to overcome the poison of bad memories and regrets.
We are a fellowship of overcomers, thankful to be forgiven by Messiah Jesus, and we are healing together.
D.B.
It is more than a physical healing, or healing from a sickness, which are both readily available within the confines of a normal congregational setting. Rather, it’s the need for deep levels of emotional healing, and healing from the memories of one's selfish criminal acts which continue to haunt us.
Within the confines of a jail, or correctional facility, are a bunch of men and women who caused others to suffer by their criminal acts, be it by theft, or violence, or both. I know that the Lord Jesus has long since forgiven me for my sins and crimes. Nevertheless, I still have to deal with the memories of my actions. Along with the shame of being a convicted felon and being seen as a failure in the eyes of society.
It is indeed a heavy load a prisoner must carry every day, and this is my point. We are a unique band of brothers undergoing similar sufferings. Yet at the same time, this is what bonds us together. We pray for each other and encourage one another to overcome the poison of bad memories and regrets.
We are a fellowship of overcomers, thankful to be forgiven by Messiah Jesus, and we are healing together.
D.B.