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Matthew 25:31-46 gives us the parable about the separation of the sheep from the goats. In it, Jesus tells us if we fail to care for the “least of these” (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, and imprisoned) we will go off to eternal punishment. Simply stated, our sins of omission have serious consequences. Find out today how you can help someone in prison.

Thankfully, most of us have helped someone who was hungry or thirsty. We have given clothes to those who needed them. Through financial gifts, we have helped to provide shelter for the homeless, and we have most likely visited someone who was sick. However, visiting someone in prison isn’t quite as easy. Yet, the parable of the sheep and the goats clearly states the importance of visiting someone in prison.

Before continuing, please realize that being in an actual brick and mortar prison is just one of the ways someone can be in prison. People can be locked in many other types of prisons. Some are in prisons of fear, or lack of comfortableness with others. Others are stuck in the prison of their own minds, ideas, righteousness, or pride. And still others are inmates in the prison of their own homes, addicted behaviors, or sins. Even if you cannot go into a prison, everyone can visit and help those in any of these prisons.

Have you ever visited someone in a correctional prison facility? Perhaps you are involved in Kairos or some other local prison ministry. If not, now is your opportunity to “visit” someone in a correctional prison. I wish I could take you all in with me, but I cannot. Therefore, I want you to come with me “in spirit,” when I visit the inmates in prison later this month.

Lent gives us an ideal time to reflect more deeply on Christ’s sacrifice and our response to that love. Personally, Lent is a time when the Holy Spirit nudges me out of my comfort zone.

Recently, I received a letter from an inmate at SCI Rockview, a state correctional institution in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. His words pierced my heart.

He had just finished reading The Broken Door, the fictional novel written by Joseph Galloway that was inspired by events from my own life. In his letter, he stated, “Recently, I read the book “The Broken Door” by Joseph Galloway and was absolutely blown away by the book and have shared it with multiple other fellow prisoners in my facility.” He went on to write, “I had a loved one look up your organization and found out about some of the amazing things you do outside. While hearing about them, I got to wondering how transformational it would be if some of the things you offer on the outside were offered inside of my facility, and in prison in general.”

I was struck by how he was not simply writing on his own behalf; he wasn’t just writing to thank Broken Door Ministries for the message in the book, he was making a plea on behalf of every man behind bars. That plea touched me deeply.

I knew right then what I had to do.

As a direct result of his letter, on Thursday, April 24th, I will have the privilege to bring our Blessed, Broken, and Scared retreat to the men inside of SCI Rockview. This will only be the third time in the past 13 years that I will be taking this retreat, that has helped so many people in churches across the country, into the incarcerated men—many of whom, like the inmate who wrote to me, need and want to hear this healing message of Jesus’ mercy.

It’s important to note that this invitation didn’t come from an institution, a pastor, or even a prison chaplain. It came from a broken man with a tender heart who had the courage to write a letter.

Jesus said, “I was in prison and you visited me.” 

He didn’t say, “You freed me,” or “You fixed me.” He said, “You visited me.” The visit itself—the willingness to see another’s humanity, to share God’s mercy without condition—is the Gospel in action.

As Christians we are called to bring light into darkness, hope into despair, and the message of God’s unfailing love into places often overlooked.

I am sharing this story with you for two reasons. First, because it reminds us that God can use even a novel to stir hearts and change lives. And second, because I want you to be a part of what we will be doing in the prison. I am primarily asking you for your prayers. However, if you are in a position to do so, I am seeking your financial support as well.

It is expensive to take our retreat from South Carolina to a prison in Pennsylvania. We will have transportation costs, multiple nights hotel costs, and the cost of 200 books for the inmates.

Unless you are involved with a local prison ministry, you may never have an opportunity to help put on a prison retreat. I am inviting you to tag along with me. It is only by working together in Christian community that this retreat can go forward. I will chronicle this event and lives that are touched, and I will share those stories with you in a subsequent 4th Day Letter after the retreat. I will let the inmates know you are praying for them. And I will let them know that your financial commitment made the retreat a reality.

I was moved to the core of my being by the inmates I met on my first two visits to prisons several years ago. I have no doubt the same will be true this time. These men are just like you and me; they are children of God made in His image and likeness. The only difference is that their bad decisions landed them behind bars – some for life.

Can I count on you for support? Two of us are going into the prison to put on the retreat. Would you please keep both of us and the men of SCI Rockview in your prayers. If possible pray between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm on Thursday April 24th. In addition, if you feel moved to help us with a financial contribution, your gift will be greatly appreciated. I want to thank everyone who has already made a generous donation. We are still short of the amount needed to cover all of the costs. You can click here to contribute or click the donate tab at the top of the page. Let me know in the comment section below if we can count on your prayers.

Lent is a time when we should not only reflect on God’s mercy but share it freely with those who need it most. Working together, let’s go bring the love and mercy of Christ to an inmate inside the prison walls.

Heaven Father, your Son Jesus told us, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Thank you for this opportunity to help someone in need. Father, I also want to ask you to give a special blessing to all of the men and woman who routinely give of themselves to minister to prisoners on an ongoing basis. May they truly experience your love. Amen!

AMDG 

 I always love to hear from our readers. You can email me by clicking here.

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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