Purposeful Gratitude: The Heart of OutreachSample
Day 7: Prison Ministry
There are many prisons, both mental and physical. The common thing among them is that they are often hidden. People are hidden away; the struggle is kept in secret.
The enemy attempts to use isolation and loneliness to keep us trapped and defeated. But over and over, we see God meeting our needs through vulnerability and connection. He often sends support and creates a path to freedom through community.
For people who are incarcerated, a godly community can be a lifeline and create a fresh start. There are prison ministries doing this work in places you may never have seen, and there are opportunities for involvement.
Take a moment to reflect on who in your life may feel isolated and need encouragement.
The beautiful thing about outreach is that God meets your needs as you meet the needs of others. We don’t need to wait until we feel like we’ve got it all together to reach out, to serve, or to give. God meets us along the way, and as we show His kindness, we experience it for ourselves, too.
What now? Find out what your local church is doing for outreach, and let them know you’d like to help. Get more involved in your church community. Find some local organizations that are already doing some of this great work and find out how you can support them. But most of all, look around you. Pray and ask God to show you the small ways in your everyday life that you can intentionally show His love to others.
For outreach opportunities at Elevation Church, visit ElevationOutreach.org.
About this Plan
Most of us know outreach is important, but life is busy, and it’s hard to even know where to start. It doesn’t have to be complicated. This devotional will help you reconnect to God’s heart for His people. When we take time to reflect on all God has done for us, we begin to see others like He does, and compassion is a natural response.
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