Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in
prison… Hebrews 13:3a
As we see in Hebrews chapter twelve, once we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,”
we will be aware of how we should then live. The writer now turns to the issue
of remembering those in prison.
Matta Boush, an outspoken evangelist in South Sudan was arrested on political
charges under questionable circumstances. He was given a sentence of thirty
years at a local military prison. Many people around the world prayed for him,
and for his family at home.
He asked prison authorities for permission to hold prayer meetings. At first
they declined, saying, “We already have a mosque; you should go there.” But
Boush persisted and eventually the authorities relented. For the first prayer
meeting, only six people showed up. In a few weeks, more people were going to
the prayer meeting than the mosque.
A few years later, he was transferred to another city prison. As he had in
the first prison, he asked for, and received permission to conduct prayer
meetings. Again he was told to limit his work to non-Muslims, yet as he
continued to minister to non-Muslims, they, in turn would talk to Muslims. The
result was that during his five years of ministry in that prison, he helped lead
between 150 and 200 people to Christ.
Transferred again to another prison, he was able to help build a prison
chapel there. After several months, prison officials told him that he did not
really belong in prison, so he was given the freedom to leave the prison by day
and return by night. Boush was glad to get out and meet with friends he had in
Khartoum, but soon he realized that he could not effectively witness to his
fellow prisoners if he had freedoms they were denied. He told the prison
officials he would no longer go out. He knew it was not God’s time.
Later, he was offered private air-cooled sleeping quarters (summer
temperatures exceed 100º F). But Bousch’s most productive time for witnessing
was at night, so he declined the offer. He saw fruit for denying his own comfort
to do what he felt God was calling him to do. In ten months, 200 more people
came to the Lord in the prison.
Without warning, he was one day released early and returned to his family.
Matta Boush’s enemies had hoped to steal his life from him by throwing him into
prison, but God had given him a true “life” sentence: to share the hope of
eternal life that comes through Jesus Christ.
RESPONSE: Today I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus remembering to identify
with my brothers and sisters in prison for their faith.
PRAYER: Lord, meet the needs today of Christians around the world in
prison for their faith in You. Help them to glorify You in their situation.
Bless their family members waiting patiently at home.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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