Bible study in prison can sometimes open up perspectives
that we never consider in our churches.
At a recent Bible study in one of the prisons, the subject of the reality of God was being discussed. One prisoner said he was certain that God was real, because God answered his prayer.
One night as he was about to rob a hotel, he sat in his car,
put on his gloves, and checked his gun. Then, before he pulled down his balaclava, he prayed “Lord, don’t let anyone get hurt here tonight.”
He then pulled down his balaclava, went inside, and robbed the hotel at gunpoint.
When he got back to his car with money in hand, he prayed again. “Thanks, Lord, that no-one was hurt.”
The Bible study leader felt that it would be appropriate at that point to redirect the study to deal with integrity and the need to live according to God’s word, the Bible.
Yes, God does answer prayer, but …