You are not a prisoner!

In 1987 I spent five weeks in Wandsworth Prison in London. Perhaps the key thing you should know about those five weeks is that I was not a prisoner. I was working with the prison chaplains for five weeks as part of my training.

As I was a short-term temporary chaplain, I was not given keys to the prison like the other chaplains. So, as I went about the prison, visiting people and attending meetings, I had to wait with prisoners, at the end of each wing, until a warder came who had keys to open the door. The doors in Wandsworth Prison are every few yards, so my progress through the prison was often slow.

In many ways, I was like the prisoners who had to wait for someone with keys as they went about their duties. But there was one fundamental difference between me and the prisoners - at the end of every day, I went to the main gate and someone would let me out, so I could go home. I wasn't a prisoner.

A few nights ago I had a strange dream. I was in prison with a friend, escorting some prisoners to a meeting when suddenly the prisoners took control and took us hostage. A battle ensued with the prison staff and somehow we broke free from our captors. We ran down a corridor and my friend pushed the door at the end of the wing. Amazingly it wasn't locked. I said we shouldn't go through as it led out of the prison. My friend turned to me smiling and said, “You're not a prisoner! You can leave anytime.” With that I woke up.

I had been feeling trapped by something and I felt this dream was a word from God - I am not a prisoner, I am free!

I believe many people today feel trapped by something - an illness, an addiction, a situation. I have good news for you today. The door out of your prison is not locked. Jesus Christ unlocked your prison 2,000 years ago. The door is open. Just push it with your faith - it will swing open and you can walk out.

For many people, their prison is between their ears. They are imprisoned by their thinking - misled by Satan's lies. I want to tell you today, you are not a prisoner!

“…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32

“…if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36

You are not in a crisis - you are in Christ. And, if you are in Christ, you are free. Say it out loud - “I am NOT a prisoner!”

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