Psalm 31.19-24 Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, ...

Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You and worked for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You store them in Your shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from Your sight.” But You heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to You for help. Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Lord, I pray for those men who have found You during their incarceration, whose lives have been transformed by Your Holy Spirit. Pour Your courage into these men as they face problems and setbacks during their imprisonment, and as they attempt to re-enter society. Bring Your saints around them to walk alongside them during those early days of adjustment to life on the outside. Use them, Lord, to carry the message of hope and transformation to a world that only knows fear. Maintain that first blush of love for You and preserve their faith as they face a society who can only fear and reject someone who has “done time.” Bless them, Lord.