Recently, we received a prayer request from our friend Joy, a prison chaplain in the Midwest. Joy was about to host a Bible-based trauma healing workshop with eight women in prison using American Bible Society’s Bible-based trauma healing curriculum.

The American Bible Society prayer team prayed for Joy, for this upcoming workshop and for the women in the group.

Answered Prayer

In the weeks that followed Joy’s workshop with the inmates, we heard that women experienced transformation through Bible-based trauma healing. Other women in prison noticed such a change in the inmates after the workshop that they wanted to sign up. Several women were recommended to attend by those who participated in the workshop because of the joy, peace and sense of freedom they now carried.

The work of healing wasn’t always easy. The group of women who gathered had difficulty emotionally engaging at the launch of the session. Two women cried throughout the first class as emotional pain surfaced.

But the effort was worth it. As the sessions continued, women began to feel safe to share with each other. By the time the participants went through the class about taking their pain to the cross, the women were able to release their hurt.

By the last class, the joy and freedom these women experienced was evident.

Following the group sessions, Joy met individually with each of the women. They processed the pain that they either took to the cross or chose to release through forgiveness during the session. By God’s grace, women expressed a strong sense of relief and joy following this journey!

Join us in giving praise to God for working through his Word to bring healing and hope.

Prayer of Praise:

Father, thank you for the truth, hope and freedom these women experienced. We pray for doors to open for Bible-based trauma healing classes in other jails and prisons. May the presence of the Holy Spirit fill these rooms and transform hearts!