Author: Ben (Page 9 of 35)

On Sunday 27th Feb 2022, we have been called to urgently unite in a day of prayer for prisoners, prison ministries, the justice system, the refugee and detention system and the law enforcement authorities in our nation, state and city.

In Matthew 25:36 Jesus’ words “I was in prison, and you visited me” urge us to care for those in prison but Covid lockdowns along with law enforcement staff shortages have led to extended periods of no visitors and lockdowns inside the jails and detention centres. The impact of Covid has also caused many doors to close on prison ministries such as Kairos Inside and Prison Fellowship. Please pray that these programs will be given permission to resume their ministries; pray for invigorated, committed volunteers to step forward and for revival in the work of Christ amongst both the prisoners and the law enforcement authorities. Pray that justice and safety will prevail for all.

It is often said by those in prison “We do the crime, but the family does the time”. Often the families, especially the women, are the forgotten victims of someone else’s crime. Kairos Outside ministry reaches out to the family and friends of inmates, saying “You are not alone.” Thus, I particularly ask for your prayers for the upcoming Kairos Outside program in May in Sydney. This specific weekend program ministry, (designed for women on the outside over 18 years & impacted by someone inside) has also been severely disrupted by Covid. Many regional ministries remain in extended hiatus so regional guests are impacted by needing to be willing and able to travel to this Sydney event to take part in a weekend.

Pray that God will open doors and open hearts to reach those He wills for their Kairos (“God’s special time”) experience. Pray that eligible women will hear the invitation to be a guest and then have the courage to come along to join with other women who often have similar experiences. Pray that their confidential time at Kairos will have a transformational impact on their lives through the hope and love of Jesus.

Further information here: https://kairos.org.au/what-we-do/kairos-outside/

Other relevant resources: https://prisonfellowship.org.au/

https://correctiveservices.dcj.nsw.gov.au/

Kate and I have just committed ourselves to walking the Overland Track in Tasmania in April. It’s a famous 6 day hike through rugged yet beautiful terrain. Everything we need for 6 days will need to be carried on our backs. It really forces you to think about what you really need when you know you’ll have to carry it for 6 days and 65 or so kms.

As we walk the trek of life, we carry a lot of unnecessary baggage. We often hold tightly to things that don’t matter, lust and long for things we don’t really need, and sometimes miss the important things we should really be focussing on.

In the introduction to 1 Corinthians (the Bible book we’re looking at in Church this term) Paul assures the Corinthians (and us) that in Christ we already have all we need. We have been enriched in every way – we do not lack any spiritual gift as we eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. (1 Cor 1:7).This is a great comfort and cause for thanksgiving. We don’t need to be anxious about not being a ‘good’ enough Christian, we simply need to trust in Christ and all he has done for us.

It’s also sometimes a challenge and rebuke, as we lust after more of the wrong things, and don’t appreciate or rely on Jesus Christ who has given us all we need. Let’s pray as we read 1 Corinthians that we as God’s Church will focus our eyes and our thanksgiving on Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us!

Yours in Christ,

Ben