Michigan Inmates Join Hands to Pray the Lord’s Prayer
A large group of inmates gathered on Christmas Eve for a special moment at the Genesee County Jail in Michigan.
The event was a prayer circle that was filmed and shared online, Mid-Michigan Now reported Friday.
The clip shows the men, most of whom are wearing orange jumpsuits, standing next to each other and holding hands. At one point, a man in the middle of the group appears to lead them in praying the Lord’s Prayer, according to video released by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
“I have NEVER posted a jail surveillance video like this. Last night, Christmas Eve, inmates from one of the largest groups gathered on their own. No direction. No prompting. They joined hands and quietly said the Lord’s Prayer,” Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson wrote in the caption.
The words the inmates prayed were those of Jesus Christ in the Bible when he taught his disciples how to pray.
“Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom comes, your will will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, just as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,” we read in the gospel passage from Matthew chapter six.
When the inmates finished praying together, they were led in joyful singing and burst into applause and cheers.
“In a place often defined by mistakes and consequences, I saw unity and hope. I saw people choosing something better for themselves and each other. When that happens, communities are safer and generational incarceration is broken,” Swanson added. “This is what real culture change looks like and it doesn’t happen overnight. Please join me in thanking everyone at the prison for being a part of culture change. It’s important! Merry Christmas!”
According to the University of Saint Andrews, Christians around the world pray the Lord’s Prayer. Writing about it, the theologian and bishop Cyprian of Carthage (210-258) said: “For what prayer can be more spiritual than that which has been given to us by Christ, through whom also the Holy Spirit has been given to us? »
