Advent Daybook, 14: The Lord sets the prisoners free
My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2016 posts here)
Solitary Confinement: Punished For Life (source)
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Jason Harrod (lyrics here)
all readings for this day: Psalm 146:5-10; 1 Samuel 2:1-8; Luke 3:1-18
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!”
prayer for the day:
“Read through each verse of Psalm 146:5-10 (above), pausing after each line to pray for anyone that comes to mind from your family, community, the Church and the world. Take courage in the truth that the Lord in his mercy accomplishes all that He has promised, and he does hear our prayers.”
Print off a copy of this full story/article, read it with someone, send the link to your pastor or friends, and start asking if there are prison chaplains of families of incarcerated folks in your church or neighborhood.
Give to a child with a parent in prison this christmas through Angel Tree program.
(see all Advent daybook posts from 2015 here)