Into Freedom

April 30, 2020—Pray for people being released from jails & prisons because of COVID-19, that they find the support they need & make responsible choices that keep them from re-encountering the criminal justice system.

The fact that some realize a need for more releases of individuals who have been incarcerated during this time is indicative of the larger issue of mass incarceration, overcrowded institutions and systemic sins that prefer prison over investing time in deconstructing various evils that make the former possible. Lord, in your mercy, here our prayers.

The following poem written by a student of Poetic Justice Oklahoma after her release in October 2019 from Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, Oklahoma:

“These are the years I have left

offered delicately into an open palm.

Precious stones each one, 

each one, every one a priceless remnant.

After deceit, destruction, devastation, 

these are the years I have left.

These are the years—

hold them softly,

hold them close,

for they are all I have left.”

-Angelina Ciconez

Prior to being released, Angelina made a covenant with herself, the abused, the addicted and the incarcerated, in which she wrote, “I promised not to disappear into my freedom.”  

Oh what a privilege it is for those who daily disappear into our freedoms!  Able to forget our bondages, scars, oppressors and living without fear of records of arrests being held against us. Not to have possible employers, nosy neighbors and bitter family members call our past to remembrance. 

Let us pray for those who have lost and been robbed of more precious stones than they believe possible to retrieve in the years that they have left.  Pray for those who have too many ebenezers to mark the calamitous moments and yearn for strength to steward the “precious stones” in the days ahead. When you cross the paths of those released, choose to point out the precious stones in front of them and not the dirty rocks behind them.

A Prayer for Those Released 

God who is Deliverer, Redeemer and Giver of new mercies.

Deliverer of our Hebrew ancestors.

Rescuer of Sojourner, Harriet, and Cyntoia.

Giver of new mercies to Moses, Malcolm and Mandela. 

May the release from the walls/bars/fences/being named by numbers, 

bring about the release from fears, fallacies and false realities. 

Give those released abundant grace to navigate the transitions and new circumstances.

Gracious God, please make provision for those being released that they will…

• encounter people who believe in their best and offer grace for their worse.

• find a community that provides support, strength and accountability.

• make friends who assist them in shouldering the challenges ahead.

• live in places where love and empowerment saturates the very air,  

• breathe in that air and exhale any toxicity that has been trapped within. 

• experience forgiveness in whatever ways it is necessary for healing and forward movement.

• be recipients of righteous reconciliation when there are opportunities for it.

• find good work that provides purpose and uses their skills well.

• have the courage to change and the serenity to accept the things that they cannot change.*

O’God be a very present help in times of trouble. 

Keep those inside and outside of these institutions from infection—not just of COVID-19, but from all viral dis-ease that travel through air, hearts and social media.

Comfort those grieving and heal those who have sickness raging in their minds, bodies and souls.We plead for the healing and protection of those who are immunocompromised. We ask that you release them from the images that torment their minds and the voices that taunt their ears. Set them free. Set us free to live anew. 

Spirit of God, infuse them with hope.Help them to use their voices to make a difference.May their lives fiercely demonstrate the power to change. Amen.

A Prayer for the Church’s Release 

God who is gracious, 

who does not count our sins against us and entrusts the message of reconciliation to us. Help us to be ambassadors who—believe that new creation is always possible, model that all are welcome in our churches and at the Lord’s table, and to live persuaded that nothing we do can separate us from Your love.

Empower us to be a part of the solution and not the problem by being people who:

     “give them a garland instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

    the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit…

repair the ruined cities,

   the devastations of many generations.” 

When we do not know what to do or 

when what we are doing is an affront to you, we pray:

  Search me, O God, and know my heart;

     test me and know my thoughts.

  See if there is any wicked way in me,

     and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

In the name of the One who liberates captives, releases  prisoners, binds up the brokenhearted and recovers sight of the blind. 

Let all who have ears to hear, hear! 

Let all those who have hearts to pray, pray!

Let those without sin throw stones first and those who have known sin count their precious stones.

In the name of the One who offers freedom to all, even when we who follow Christ struggle and fail to do so. 

Amen.

Reference: 

• Poetic Justice — http://poeticjustice.org/

• Psalm 46:1

• 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

• Isaiah 61:3a, 4, NRSV

• Psalm 139:23-24, NRSV

• *Adapted from the “Serenity Prayer” often attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr

• 2 Corinthians 4:16-20

Songs: 

• “You Made a Way” by Travis Greene 

• “Turning Around for Me” by VaShawn Mitchell

About the Author:  Reverend Alexis Carter Thomas is a writer, researcher and adjunct professor. She and her husband, John, live in a small town in South Carolina.  For the past year, Alexis has been conducting research on the flourishing of Black clergywomen throughout the United States. As a result, Alexis launched Soul Rep to provide soul care as a form of reparations to Black women who give their time, resources and life to the thriving of Black churches. Alexis received her Master of Divinity from the Divinity School at Duke University.  More about her can be found at Alexiscarterthomas.com