God's invitation to us for prayer

We continued our study and talk of prayer this session. After one of the inmates gave prayer to open the service, we went around the room each person giving their first name and saying a few words about how they were doing. Some mentioned items of concern on their minds. Then we sang several gospel songs; Amazing Grace, Just a Closer Walk, Mine Eyes have Seen the Glory.

We read Psalm 27, each person saying a verse. We repeated the Psalm until everyone had read a part. We shared our thoughts on what the Psalm said to us and the comfort it brings us.

Then we shared our reports on how our prayer life and time has gone this week. I've been encouraging the inmates to try to spend an hour a day (total) in prayer. Generally, the guys seem to be reporting that they have spent more time in touch with God than usual, but not close to the goal.

I've been encouraged during my prayer time to think of this group goal. I suggested they could partner or yoke up with another person on their block to help encourage each other to increase the time for prayer.

We read Mark 1:35 and Luke 5:15 - 16. Both passages report that Jesus sought personal prayer time with God, alone. Luke uses the word "often".

We are called to follow Christ. If Jesus spent time, often, alone with God, that is a strong call for us to do the same.

Discussion questions:

• Is prayer important to Jesus? Why?
• How can we follow Jesus in our prayer?
• How much attention do we give God in prayer?

I asked the guys what other words could be used for the act of prayer? They came up with a bunch of words, including meditation. But I was looking for the word visit. Think of it. What is so very important to a person when they are in jail? A visit. A visit from someone who cares about them, who takes the time to cross town or cross the state to be with them for a while in this place.

God cares, God is present in the jail. When the inmates turns to God, for a time of prayer, why not think of it as a visit with their heavenly Father?

This week, on the outside, there is a Community Prayer service being held Sunday evening at a local church. I asked the inmates to join (in spirit) with the community during the time of the service in prayer and continue to reach for spending an hour each day with God in prayer.