During last night's Bible study in the chapel, a man was set free from the demons of death, suicide and mental illness which have plagued him for many years...
The two ministers who came to the study, Keith Peters and Barbara Hust, felt led, near the beginning of our gathering, to pray for those inmates who were going through various struggles.
The Holy Spirit immediately singled out Jose, a Hispanic man in his late 30s. So Keith went up to him, gently put his hands on each side of Jose's head, and then began to pray out loud, while we who were in the congregation silently prayed along.
Jose is a tormented individual. Long, ugly brownish scars run up both his arms, beginning at each wrist, and extend almost to his shoulders. He has several brutal scars traversing his stomach too. These are all from his many attempts to commit suicide, to mutilate himself during his episodes of self-hatred and rage.
For many years, Jose has been in and out of psychiatric facilities. And while he has been incarcerated, he has been in and out of the Mental Health Unit's observation area. He battles depression and sometimes he hallucinates.
Several years ago, Jose's mother passed away. He often cries to me about how much he misses her. I can relate to this, as the ache in my heart for my mother has never gone away, not even after thirty-five years.
Yet the Lord has been merciful. God has heard the cry of Jose's heart, and he touched this man in a special way. He walked out of the chapel beaming. His liberation is complete. Now he must follow Christ.
D.B.
The Holy Spirit immediately singled out Jose, a Hispanic man in his late 30s. So Keith went up to him, gently put his hands on each side of Jose's head, and then began to pray out loud, while we who were in the congregation silently prayed along.
Jose is a tormented individual. Long, ugly brownish scars run up both his arms, beginning at each wrist, and extend almost to his shoulders. He has several brutal scars traversing his stomach too. These are all from his many attempts to commit suicide, to mutilate himself during his episodes of self-hatred and rage.
For many years, Jose has been in and out of psychiatric facilities. And while he has been incarcerated, he has been in and out of the Mental Health Unit's observation area. He battles depression and sometimes he hallucinates.
Several years ago, Jose's mother passed away. He often cries to me about how much he misses her. I can relate to this, as the ache in my heart for my mother has never gone away, not even after thirty-five years.
Yet the Lord has been merciful. God has heard the cry of Jose's heart, and he touched this man in a special way. He walked out of the chapel beaming. His liberation is complete. Now he must follow Christ.
D.B.
