The Prison Prayer Group

Not monks, but monk-like in austerity
And fast enclosed within these fearful walls,
They pray with fervoured sprirituality,
Seeking God‘s forgiveness of their falls.

Heads bowed and silent I can hear their prayers
And know their wretchedness and deep despairs.

The circle meets and greets and prays as one,
The Christian and the Jew, respectful all
Of one another’s different beliefs
Reading and discussing scripture's call.

Heads bowed, yet joyful for they know each cares
For other, here united in their prayers.

In song they also raise their praise to God,
And heed th' instruction that the leader gives.
In this way they can reach for good
And find the God who every sin forgives.

For such as these the Saviour gave His all;
To rescue us from an eternal fall.

There is no prison for the faith-freed soul,
No bars to hold the spirit’s heavenward leap;
What once was broken has now been made whole
And soars to heaven from the darkest deep.