The Holy Spirit told me what to say: “Ask about his Mother.”
Our ministry journeys have taken us to share Christ in numerous jails and prisons. I well remember preaching in the Midwest several years ago when a law-enforcement Officer asked me to accompany him on a prisoner transfer: “I’m taking a prisoner to a facility where he’ll probably spend the rest of his life,” the Officer began. “Alex, would you ride in the vehicle with this inmate and me, and share the Gospel?”
Of course, my answer was, “Yes.” This deputy Sheriff and I rode in a squad car to a prison, passed through fences, gates, and checkpoints, and stopped at a building deep in the prison yard. “Wait in the car,” the Officer told me. “The paperwork will take a few minutes.”
I sat in the front seat of the type of police vehicle you’ve seen on countless TV shows. Radios and electronic gear seemed to fill the front seat area. I noticed that there was no partition between the front seat and the backseat. I saw that the backseat occupant did not have door handles that would have enabled them to exit.
Out of a building, two deputies were leading a really big guy to the car. The man’s arms were so muscular and his wrists so large—getting him in handcuffs could not have been easy. Quickly he was pushed into the car. He seemed to take up the entire backseat, and at first, would not look up at me.
The inmate was well over 6 feet tall, and his size and build intimidated me. His breathing was heavy and loud. “Was he angry?” I wondered. “What emotions was he feeling?”
It dawned on me that I could easily become a hostage. This man could have instantly reached across the seat and put those handcuffs around my neck. I realized that, despite the Sheriff’s best intentions for me to share the gospel, this prisoner transfer (with me, unprotected in the car this way) was probably very irregular.
In my mind, I prayed, “Lord, please help me connect with this man. Please help me know what to say.”
“My name is Alex,” I began. No response whatsoever.
“Um, I know you don’t know me, and I don’t know you. But as a Christian, I want you to know that God cares about you.”
As I fumbled about with my words, there was no reaction at all. “I hear you’re going away for a long time…”
Struggling to think of what to say, suddenly God put a word on my heart. The Holy Spirit told me where to go with this conversation: “Talk to him about his Mother.”
“Hey brother,” I began. “When’s the last time you talked with your Mom?” I detected a pause in the heavy breathing.
“I know you don’t know me,” I said. “But I’m really sure about something:I know you’ve got a godly Mother, and somewhere right now, she’s praying for you.”
Silently I prayed for God to move on this man’s heart. I have been in dozens of prisons around the country, to death row in several states, and even preached in a prison where Charles Manson served time. I know this about male inmates: Virtually all carry within them tender feelings about their Mother.
Finally, this giant of a man faced me.
I said, “You’ve got a mother who loves you. God in heaven loves you, too. If your Mom was here, I bet she would want you to pray and ask Jesus to be with you for the time that lies ahead.”
He seemed to stare at me for the longest time. The presence of the Holy Spirit was with us in that police car. I saw tears welling up in the man’s eyes. No longer did I feel afraid.
Looking down at the floor, he said, “I need prayer.” Emotion filled his voice as he whispered, “God help me.”
I don’t begin to know what it would feel like to face life behind bars. Perhaps, heading to a maximum-security facility, this would be the last car ride this man would ever take.
In spite of my awkward attempt to minister to an inmate sitting in the back of a car with no door handles, this man opened his heart to Jesus. He prayed with me, and by the time we left for the next facility he was assured of his salvation in Jesus.
The driver’s door opened, and the Sheriff sat down for the drive ahead of us. I said, “Officer ___, I want you to meet your new brother in Christ.”
The Holy Spirit presided over that encounter. I’ll never forget what God gave me to say that He used to open this man’s heart: It was the mention of his Mother and encouragement that he start this journey by giving his heart to Jesus.
This was certainly an unforgettable ministry experience. But it illustrates the power of God in all situations, the love of Jesus for every life, and also the influence of a Mother. An influence so long lasting, that the mere mention of a praying mother has a very powerful effect.
Thank God today for your dear Mother! If you are fortunate enough that she is still living, let her know how much you love her. Life is too short not to show forth Jesus’ love!
And regardless of the circumstances, commit to handle your family relationships in ways pleasing to God.
(Editor's Note: This blog was posted first on Dr. McFarland's website HERE.)
