It’s almost 8:30 in the evening. A short while ago I returned to my cell after attending a prayer meeting...
Every first Monday of the month, a dozen or so men from my congregation will gather for prayer in the chapel. Prison officials allow us 90 minutes to do this, and we are thankful for the opportunity.
Usually before we begin our prayer time, we will each take turns to share a particular prayer request with the group before we pray for all the petitions that are in our church’s prayer box. So I took a few minutes to speak about the worsening famine taking place in North Africa in the area which covers countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia. Lately this has been heavy on my heart. I also read a newspaper clipping that I’ve been carrying in my Bible. The article stated that a United Nations report claims it is the "worst famine" to visit the area in twenty years, and over three million people are at risk of starvation.
While another member of our congregation, brother Orthello, used his turn to remind us that we are "beautiful instruments" in God’s hands. That the Lord is doing something wonderful in each of our lives. Brother Orthello, who’s in his mid-20’s, was a homeless beggar before coming to prison.
Then Brother Anthony stood up and read to us Psalm 30:5, which says in part, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." And after the other men took their turns to speak, we all began to pray.
D.B.
Usually before we begin our prayer time, we will each take turns to share a particular prayer request with the group before we pray for all the petitions that are in our church’s prayer box. So I took a few minutes to speak about the worsening famine taking place in North Africa in the area which covers countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia. Lately this has been heavy on my heart. I also read a newspaper clipping that I’ve been carrying in my Bible. The article stated that a United Nations report claims it is the "worst famine" to visit the area in twenty years, and over three million people are at risk of starvation.
While another member of our congregation, brother Orthello, used his turn to remind us that we are "beautiful instruments" in God’s hands. That the Lord is doing something wonderful in each of our lives. Brother Orthello, who’s in his mid-20’s, was a homeless beggar before coming to prison.
Then Brother Anthony stood up and read to us Psalm 30:5, which says in part, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." And after the other men took their turns to speak, we all began to pray.
D.B.
