Worshipping in a Cell

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI


Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." NIV John 4:23-24


Jesus told us in John 4:24 that God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. Michael, currently incarcerated in Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, attests to this truth. Even though he is confined to a cell much of the time, he is not hindered from worshipping God through Jesus Christ.

He writes, “When I’m alone in my cell I will pray out loud mixed with singing and just thanking Him for everything He has done for me.” An artist, Michael drew the self portrait above. He also writes, “Worship is just something that I have to do.”

We wrote and asked Michael how his worship has changed since being incarcerated? He writes, “It has been expressed much more publicly at services and while people are around because I don’t care what others think any longer.” He continues, “Forget about others and just do it and do it for the things that He has done for us.” Amen Michael!

Ways to Pray for Inmates

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. NIV Hebrews 13:3


One of the ways to be obedient to God’s command is to remember those in prison through prayer. If you would like to pray for an individual inmate, CLI can give you the name of a man, woman or youth in prison who needs your help. Or perhaps you have a friend or family member in prison that you are lifting up every day. However you are keeping Christ’s command to remember those in prison, here is a list of prayer suggestions that will be helpful.

Glorify and Love God: Psalm 34:3, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 15:8-9, Matthew 22:36-38

Confess Sins, Repent and Saved: Romans 10:1-13, Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

True Worshippers in Spirit and Truth: John 4:23-24

Presence of God: Psalm 46:1

Aware of God's Love: Ephesians 3:16-21

Complete Restoration and Reconciliation (Family, Friend, Foe, and Victim) : 1 John 1:9-10, Colossians 3:13, 2 Corinthians 2:7

God Directs Steps: Psalm 32:8

Personal Prayer Life and Bible Study: Jeremiah33:3

Share the Gospel and Make Disciples: Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Protection from Evil and the Evil One: Matthew 6:13, Psalm 34:7, Psalm 32:7, 2 Thess. 3:3

To Help and Love Others: Philippians 4:13, Matthew 22:39-40

Resist Temptation: 1 Cor. 10:13

Faith and Wisdom: 1 Peter 1:7, James 1:5

Loneliness and Patience: Psalm 25:16-17, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 33:20

Discernment and Persistence: Philippians 1:9-11, Galatians 6:9

Peace and Courage: John 14:26, Philippians 4:7, 1 Peter 5:7, Joshua 1:9

Inner Strength and Clear Mind: Ephesians 3:16, 2 Timothy 1:7

Health in Mind, Spirit and Body: Proverbs 3:8, 4:21-23, Jeremiah 30:17, Philippians 4:13

Spouses and Children: Isaiah 40:11, 54:13, Psalm 68:5

Fighting Depression, Shame and Past Abuse: Psalm 42:5, Isaiah 54:4, 61:7, Psalm 27:10

Encourage Those Around Them: Proverbs 11:25

CLI Visits Prison Fellowship

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

This week we had the pleasure of attending a national meeting of prison ministries in the Washington DC metro area. Kathleen and I were hosted by Prison Fellowship at their headquarters.

There were about 40 prison ministries represented, from noisy motorcycles to quiet prayer ministries. It was great meeting them and looking for ways to work together in the future.

Here's a short video about college students visiting a prison for the first time as volunteers. It's very touching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQQacZx-ClQ

Nothing Can Hinder the LORD

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." 7 "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." NIV 1 Samuel 14:6-7

Read the Old Testament to strengthen your faith in God and His promises. For example, in the midst of battle between the Israelites and the Philistines Jonathan (King Saul’s son) takes only his young armor-bearer and goes into an enemy camp (1 Samuel 14). He doesn’t go in his own strength, but in the strength of the LORD.

He says, “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” God was pleased with Jonathan’s trust and confidence in Him. Although there were just the two of them, they were successful in the attack of about twenty men. God not only gave them success in this strike, He also sent panic into the whole Philistine army.

What are you facing today that seems insurmountable? Are you looking at your problems through human eyes or through spiritual eyes? In other words, do you see the enemy or do you see God? Nothing can hinder the LORD!

Jonathan wasn’t the only one with faith. His armor-bearer agreed with Jonathan’s assessment of God and said, "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." Faith inspires faith. We are encouraged and motivated to join the fight when we see others standing firm and stepping boldly into the battle. Be stirred and motivate others for a noble cause.

In the same way I was stirred this morning when I read 1 Samuel 14. CLI’s staff is few in number: Anders, Martha and me. But the LORD is acting in our behalf and nothing can hinder the LORD from saving the inmates that we serve. They will hear and know Christ. They will become missionaries so that nations will hear and know Christ.

Our board and many of our volunteers, donors and prayer warriors are like the armor-bearer, they are with us heart and soul. They are also stepping out faithfully in service, generosity and love. Together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we are winning battles against the evil forces that would deter from the Promised Land of Heaven.

CLI Prisons Served in March

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

In March we served over 100 US prisons! They are:

Adams County Correctional Center Natchez MS
Brazoria County Detention Center Angleton TX
Brevard Correctional Institution Cocoa FL
Brevard Regional Juvenile Detention Center Cocoa FL
Bridgeport Correctional Center Bridgeport TX
Bridgeport Correctional Center Bridgeport CT
Bridges of America Orlando FL
Broad River Correctional Institution Columbia SC
Brockbridge Correctional Facility Jessup MD
Brockton Boys Assessment Unit Brockton MA
Broome County Public Safety Facility Binghamton NY
Brown County Jail Brownwood TX
Brown Creek Correctional Inst Polkton NC
Brunswick Correctional Center Lawrenceville VA
Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex Petros TN
Buckingham Correctional Center Dillwyn VA
Bullock Correctional Facility Union Springs AL
Buncombe Correctional Center Asheville NC
Burnside Group Home Youth Burnside KY
Burruss Correctional Training Center Forsyth GA
Butler Correctional Facility Red Creek NY
Butler County Jail Hamilton OH
CA Dillon Youth Development Center Butner NC
CCA Citrus County Jail Lecanto FL
CCA Florence Correctional Center Florence AZ
CCA Kit Carson Correctional Center Burlington CO
CCA Leavenworth Detention Center Leavenworth KS
CSC Houston TX
Cabarrus Correctional Center Mt. Pleasant NC
Caldwell Correctional Center Lenoir NC
Calhoun Correctional Institution Blountstown FL
Calhoun State Prison Morgan GA
Calhoun Work Camp Blountstown FL
California City Correctional Center California City CA
California Institute for Men Chino CA
California Institute for Women Corona CA
California Medical Facility Vacaville CA
California Men's Colony San Luis Obispo CA
California Rehabilitation Center Norco CA
California State Prison - Los Angeles County Lancaster CA
California Substance Treatment Facility Corcoran CA
Calipatria State Prison Calipatria CA
Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution Columbia SC
Camp Georgetown Georgetown NY
Campbell County Detention Center Newport KY
Carol S. Vance Unit Richmond TX
Carole Young Medical Facility Dickinson TX
Carroll-Montgomery Correctional Facility Vaiden MS
Carson City Correctional Facility (DRF) Carson City MI
Carteret Correctional Facility Newport NC
Caryville Work Camp Caryville FL
Caswell Correctional Center Blanch NC
Catahoula Correctional Center Harrisonburg LA
Catalina Mountain School Tucson AZ
Catholic Detention Ministries Santa Rosa CA
Cayuga Correctional Facility Moravia NY
Centinela State Prison Imperial CA
Central Arizona Detention Center Florence AZ
Central California Women's Facility Chowchilla CA
Central Florida Reception Center Orlando FL
Central Maryland Correctional Facility Sykesville MD
Central New Mexico Correctional Facility Los Lunas NM
Central Prison Raleigh NC
Central State Prison Macon GA
Central Texas Detention Facility San Antonio TX
Central Utah Correctional Facility Gunnison UT
Central Virginia Regional Jail Orange VA
Centralia Correctional Center Centralia IL
Collins Correctional Facility Collins NY
Columbus Juv Residential Facility Tampa FL
Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Connell WA
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Portland ME
Curran-Fromhold Corrections Philadelphia PA
D. Ray James Prison Folkston GA
Dodge Correctional Institution Waupun WI
Dodge State Prison Chester GA
Donaldson Correctional Facility Bessemer AL
FMC Carswell (Women's) Ft. Worth TX
FPC Alderson (Women's) Alderson WV
Fishkill Correctional Facility Beacon NY
Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women Troy VA
Folsom State Prison Represa CA
Frank Lee Youth Center Deatsville AL
Franklin Correctional Facility Malone NY
Franklin Correctional Institution Carrabelle FL
Glades Correctional Institution Belle Glade FL
Graceville Correctional Facility - GEO Graceville FL
Green Residential Community Home Ringwood NJ
Hays State Prison Trion GA
Hill Correctional Center Galesburg IL
Hudson Correctional Facility Hudson NY
Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility Massillon OH
James River Correctional Center Jamestown ND
Jess Dunn Correctional Center Taft OK
Marion Regional Juvenile Detention Center Ocala FL
Rutherford County Detention Facility Rutherfordton NC
San Bernardino County Detention Center San Bernardino CA
San Diego Correctional Facility San Diego CA
Santa Barbara County Jail Santa Barbara CA
Solano County Detention Facility Fairfield CA
South FL Reception Center: South Unit Doral FL
Tallahatchie Correctional Facility Tutwiler MS
Torrance County Detention Center Estancia NM
Two Rivers Correctional Institution Umatilla OR
Western New Mexico Correctional Facility Grants NM

Praise the Lord!

Want to Pray for an Inmate?

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

They send us the most amazing letters from prison. Here at CLI, we count it a privilege to pray for them. We pray for their salvation and the love, peace and joy that only Jesus Christ can bring.

Sure, they didn't land in prison by being "angels". But we serve a great God who forgives all sins of all people.

Join us and request your "prayer cuff". You will be assigned a special person to pray for every day.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

A Thank You from a Chaplain

Dear CLI,
We would like to take a moment to thank you and your ministry for the wonderful books, teaching CD's, and video tapes that you have so graciously sent to us in the past here at NCF Chapel and hope that you would be able to donate more devotional materials to us in the future as well.

There are currently over seven hundred and fifty inmates here at this facility that we endeavor to minister to in their various religious beliefs and all materials go to great use. We do really appreciate your support and hope that you continue to help us in our common goal of reaching out to the population and assisting them in their spiritual needs.
May God bless you and your ministry.
Sincerely.
Chaplain,
Norton Correctional Facility, Norton, KS

Six Hours One Friday

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus spent six hours on a Roman cross, dying a slow and agonizing death. He died for our sins - all sins - all past sins, all present sins and all future sins.

Just before he died, he said, "It is finished". The word he used means "paid in full".

Good Friday was a sad and traumatic day. His followers were confused. How could this happen? Why? They simply didn't understand.

But then came Sunday and everything was changed. Now they all understood. The resurrected Jesus appeared to 500 witnesses before he rose into a cloud for the last time. The remaining eleven disciples went on to suffer persecution of all sorts, telling the marvelous story of what happened, in Jerusalem, six hours one Friday.