Let Us Not Grow Weary
In his sermon yesterday one of the pastors from my church said that last week had been hard for him. There was a day when all the stress of dealing with the pandemic and the isolation caught up with him and he “hit a wall.” He found it hard to concentrate. He felt fatigued and struggled to stay awake even while working. He was irritable, and though he tried, he couldn’t just self-correct himself out of his irritation.
Last week was harder for me also. There were days when, for no specific reason I could identify, I felt overwhelmingly sad and depressed. I wanted to just sit and cry. How about you? How are you doing?
If you are having a hard time, there’s a good thing to remember. Look to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God,” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus understands suffering. He knows what its like to have hard times. He seated now in the throne room of God interceding for us. Turn to him and seek him. It does make a difference.
Things are hard right now for our incarcerated brothers and sisters. Most are confined to cells or dorms; some are confined to their bunks. Movement inside the prisons is extremely limited. Very few are provided with masks or gloves or even soap to wash their hands. In one prison all that the inmates have been given to protect themselves from the virus is a hotel room size bar of soap with which to wash their hands. And now, we’ve started to hear of prisons that are considering chaplains non-essential employees and not allowing them to come in.
What can we do?
In my devotions yesterday I read this, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go and come again tomorrow I will give it’ – when you have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28). That also reminded me of Galatians 6:9-10, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
What is a “good” that my incarcerated neighbor needs that is within my power to give? There are two things that I have that I can give—prayer and letter writing.
I confess that in my sadness and depression last week I grew weary of doing good. I did not pray every day for our incarcerated brothers and sisters. I did not write to my mentee or my correspondence student. I pray for the grace to “remember the prisoner” this week, to pray daily, and write to my men.
I saw a post from Prison Fellowship this morning with suggestions on what to pray. You may find this helpful:
For prisoners being released early, may the Lord equip families and communities with resources, provision, and support.
For prisoners with health issues to receive prompt medical treatment.
For prisoners living in facilities with unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
For prisoners whose court hearings are now delayed.
For the hearts of attorneys, judges, and prison administrators to be turned to God’s will as they do their jobs.
I would add, for prison staff working in conditions even more difficult than usual.
Much love, Barry
·
·
·
·
·