[__ Prayer __] Prayer for Austin

[Mike]

Friends, I have a prayer request. Tonight is the last night in a 6-week men's Bible series at our church. About 100 men have shown up weekly, about 10 at our table. Week 3 a guy started showing up, and he literally lit up the room with his peace and his smile. He just exuded God's grace the moment you met him. Who knew the trial he was/is going thru?

Austin (guessing around 22 years old, was pending incarceration for possession of drugs with intent to sell. This past Thursday he entered prison with a 4.5 year sentence and eligibility for parole after 18 months. He was baptized this past Sunday. When I hear these stories and don't know the person, I'm pessimistic, and part of me doubts their testimony, I'm embarrassed to admit. But I did get to know him in this time in and outside of our meetings. His testimony is true. He is a changed man. Turns out his cell mate is a minister. I don't know his story, but I pray he will be the Godly support this babe in Christ needs.

Please join me in prayer that Austin shines His light in that dark place, and he victoriously leaves it with his faith stronger than ever.

Praying for you, Austin.

 

[Eugene]

Amen Brother Mike. We seem to never know the work God is doing in the lives of others, but as you have expressed, Austin's testimony of peace in the situation goes before him. I would doubt that Austin realizes the extent God's love is responsible for that change at this present time, but as he grows in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus his spoken evidence of that change in him will display the miracle of healing to his life.

I'm thinking of Saul (The Apostle Paul) on his way to Damascus being overcome by the very presence of God; arrested as it were, and led to others (Ananias) for his training. Over the years I've met those whose first experience of God's love for them was imprisonment, or the threat of such, and they became tremendous witnesses of the power of God to be with them, and bring them through the fire.

Austin will be in my prayers, and the minister led there also I do not think to be an accident; maybe for his own good also like that Paul suffered in Acts 16:22-30 to testify to the very guard over him. Thanks for this prayer request; God bless you also in Jesus' name.

 

[AirDancer]

Austin, and his cell mate, are in my prayers, Mike

 

[Mike]

Thank you both. I guess there's a Christian presence in his prison, and he was invited to join a Bible study group that meets daily. It's been less than a week in so far, and they've chipped in to get him slippers, ear buds, and other comfort things. That is pretty cool.

I wasn't aware of this until yesterday, but it turns out the arresting officer goes to our church. It's a big church. I don't know if either of them knew the other one went there, and they met up in the lobby area 4 days before he entered prison, and there was a long embrace. I wish I could have seen it. A convicted felon and his arresting office showing Christian love despite the way they met.

 

[reba]

Mike Part of our X s-i-l continuing christian walk is the time he spent in jail. God knows where His lambs are

 

[Mike]

Thank you, Reba. Indeed He does. I just pray for fierce strength to resist the evil one who will no doubt be telling him otherwise. My impression is that there is a very prominent presence of Islam and other false belief systems in that fish bowl. Our men's group is setting up rotating visitation to support him during this time.