From the Hearts of Hurting Children
For several years, I have received prayer requests from a ministry that serves incarcerated teenagers. I am grateful that this public facility welcomes these sacrificial folks to come in and make a difference in the lives of these boys and girls. I deeply admire their work.
I asked one of the ministry leaders if it would be okay for me to share some of these requests with you. Below are requests I got yesterday. They are an intimate look into the hearts of hurting children who have made very bad choices. Their longings will touch your heart.
I encourage you to hold your own children close and thank God for the wonderful ways that He has blessed your family. Thank you for loving your kids and taking such excellent care of them. It is hard work. As you know, it is worth it.
From the Hearts of These Hurting Children
- Please pray that I will be allowed to go to placement instead of [to the detention center].
- I want you to pray for me to be a better boy and respect my mom and for me to stay with my mom and sisters because I love them. When I get out, I want to put effort in it.
- Pray that my days away will be short, that I may go to [to the detention center] or that my bond will be dropped to something affordable . . . .
- Pray that I get a plea deal, that nothing bad happens to my family while I’m locked up.
- I pray that everything gets better for my mom, that when my brother gets out he will stay out, that I get my time over with no problem.
- Pray that I just get to go home and do the right thing.
- Pray over my family to keep them safe while I am here . . . .
- Pray for me and my family and my loved ones.
- Lord, please protect me from evil and guide me in the right way spiritually and mentally; and even though I commit sins, may you help me be a better person each day I wake up and a stronger one each night I rest. Amen.
- Pray that I don’t get tempted to evilness and to look out for my family.
- Father God, can you watch over me and my family and guide us all and make the best decision for me and give me a chance and strength? In Jesus’ name. Amen.
- Please help me in court this Thursday to go home to my family. Help me with forgiveness and to have a peaceful day.
- Dear Lord, please help me out of here. I don’t belong here. I haven’t messed up since I got here. Please help me get out.
- Pray for me and my family. I’m in a bad situation that only God can help.
- I pray that my family is safe and happy. I pray for strength to get through the days. I pray for my dreams of freedom and happiness to become true.
- I pray that my time goes by faster . . . . Also, I pray that my wishes and dreams come true as well. And make sure my family is doing good.
- I pray I get released Friday, stay out and be with my family and be with my mom on her birthday. I pray for God to stay with me through the struggle and the good and I don’t only call on Him through the bad. Pray they see me as a good man and not a dangerous person. I want to get my life together.
- Pray that the judge will sign my plea deal.
- Please pray for my family’s health and for the judge to show mercy.
- Pray to God my real court goes good. I wanna go home with my family and switch my life around, go to work and do my own thing, except stealing and robbing people. In the name of Jesus and Lord Father. Amen.
- Pray for me and my family and for God to watch over my family while I’m in placement.
- Please pray for me to get released on probation.
- Pray for my people and for my freedom and also for my friends and for better days. Amen.
- Pray that I get better mentally and spiritually when I go back to the free world. Pray that the stuff I put my mind to I can do and have a normal life.
- Pray for my family to have good health and for me to have a bright future and for God to guide me in the right path. Thank you.
- Please pray for my family in ________. I haven’t seen him in years, but heard that he is undergoing heart surgery. I had a bad day and the result was me spending my birthday here where I turned 17. Please pray that I age well and my 17th goes good and I learn to make better decisions and become a better person. Please pray for my 7 siblings and my mom. I want them to do better and to become more than their big brother. I pray for those who are praying for me. Thank you. I appreciate y’all and God bless. Amen.
I would appreciate your prayers for these teens. We serve a loving Father who cares about all the children of the world, including these who have made bad choices, sometimes terrible choices, and are now reaping the results of them.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let’s hold firmly to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but One who has been tempted in all things
just as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy
and find grace for help at the time of our need.
Hebrews 4:14-16