Small Voice, Big Impact

Miracles break out in prison when you preach God’s mercy to men and women who had no mercy on others.

It’s about loving those everyone hates and remembering people everybody wants to forget. That’s radical and that’s Jesus! The church fails to recognize the revival going on behind bars in this country. I’ve had people tell me they doubt the sincerity of convicted prisoners as they receive Jesus. “Aren’t most of them just playing games?” they ask.

Look at 1 Kings 19:11-12 when God reveals Himself to a dejected Elijah.

“. . .Then, a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

Still and small is not only a description of the way God speaks life into us, it is also a description of the heart that hears the voice of God! Read that again. Prison is a place where you are forced to become still. Your life is put on hold. You have few choices, and most of them are made by someone else.

Prison is also a place where you get small. No matter how tough you are, there are 10 guys tougher, and likely crazier, than you are on each cell block. And prison is a place of disappointment, shame, and heartache. It is perfect for a move of God because, for the majority of the men and women locked up, it’s the first time they’ve truly been still and small. For the first time, they recognize the voice of the Lord. Their humility allows miracles to bust out.

What about you? You may not be behind literal bars, but are you incarcerated by your past, your addictions, your anger, or your circumstances? Put your pride and arrogance aside.