This morning, I was the worship leader for our chapel service...
I had not been asked to do this role for quite some time. Usually our choir director (who is an inmate like I am) handles this. But today, however, the pastor asked me to begin the service. So I stood up before the congregation, and after a brief introduction, I called the men to praise and worship. Then after a period of praise, I was able to give some words of exhortation to encourage everyone.
It felt good to be able to worship the Lord with about fifty to sixty men. We shouted many hallelujahs together as well as poured forth many words of love to Jesus. It was refreshing to release all the feelings of adoration for God that were in my heart.
Next, I had to lead in our prayer time. This was then followed by an approximately seven-minute exhortation. I read a Scripture passage before the congregation which the Lord had given to my spirit earlier this morning at sunrise: John 13:34-35.
In this passage from the Gospel of John, the Lord gave His disciples a "new commandment" that we are to "love one another." That all people shall know that we truly belong to the Lord because of the love, kindness, and compassion we exhibit to others. I told the men that this love is the only way for the church to grow, as hurting and troubled people will be drawn to Christ when this love is clearly displayed.
I introduced another inmate who gave his testimony. This was followed by the choir. Finally, it was time to bring on the preacher, a minister who came in from the "outside.” We had an awesome altar call. Our altar was packed with prisoners who were crying out to the Lord.
D.B.
It felt good to be able to worship the Lord with about fifty to sixty men. We shouted many hallelujahs together as well as poured forth many words of love to Jesus. It was refreshing to release all the feelings of adoration for God that were in my heart.
Next, I had to lead in our prayer time. This was then followed by an approximately seven-minute exhortation. I read a Scripture passage before the congregation which the Lord had given to my spirit earlier this morning at sunrise: John 13:34-35.
In this passage from the Gospel of John, the Lord gave His disciples a "new commandment" that we are to "love one another." That all people shall know that we truly belong to the Lord because of the love, kindness, and compassion we exhibit to others. I told the men that this love is the only way for the church to grow, as hurting and troubled people will be drawn to Christ when this love is clearly displayed.
I introduced another inmate who gave his testimony. This was followed by the choir. Finally, it was time to bring on the preacher, a minister who came in from the "outside.” We had an awesome altar call. Our altar was packed with prisoners who were crying out to the Lord.
D.B.
