President Trump recently met with a group of black, inner-city Pastors to discuss prison reform, particularly The First Step Act. For those of you who don’t know, The First Step Act, according to journalist German Lopez of vox.com, cites that, ‘the bill [does not] reform or reduce how long people are sentenced…which has been the prime target of criminal justice reformers over the past few years. Instead, the bill focuses on rehabilitating…once they’re already in prison by incentivizing them, with the possibility of earlier release, to partake in rehabilitation programs1.’ The bill was introduced to the House May 7th, 2018 but was met with opposition because critics argued that again, it doesn't address the heart of the criminal justice issue which is oversentencing. Coincidentally to some, the meeting took place on August 1st and thereafter, word soon spread that the President would support the bill.
However, immediately after the meeting, all Pastors were met with swift backlash from the black community. That’s because during the meeting, each praised the President for his concern for the black community while opposers cited that the opportunity should have been used to discuss tough issues pressing the black community which include the pipeline to prison issue as well as the problem with systemic racism. Though we weren’t privy to the dialogue that took place before or after the cameras were off, the meeting was quite disheartening; especially for those who have a heart for prisoners and the prisoners themselves. After watching the meeting, I must admit, I too felt some kind of way. But as opposed to staying in my feelings, I quickly went to the Word to see what God has to say.
Prisoners Speaking to Kings
When you read Acts 26, you’ll find Paul having a similar meeting with King Agrippa. During which Paul also commends the king by saying,
‘…“I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews.’
By bringing up the fact that he was an expert would have been equivalent to the praises of the Pastors. The difference in their meeting and Paul’s, is that Paul addressed the issue. He actually took the time to share with the king his conversion testimony throughout Acts 26 which helped the king better understand the importance of Christ (i.e. prison reform).
What God wants us to see, is that though Paul was an Apostle, he was also a prisoner. Therefore, biblically, it would have been better for the President to have met with Prison Pastors; those actually incarcerated or former prisoners. Though it should also be noted that a few of those in attendance, had themselves been incarcerated. But for the President to have met with an incarcerated Pastor, someone who could walk him through why they got locked up and how they met Christ while being locked up, would give the President a better perspective as to why prison reform, i.e., the oversentencing problem needs to be re-legislated. Because there are men (and women), like Paul, whose lives have been changed and are rehabilitated, by the power of God, yet they're still serving long sentences. Perhaps, if the President would have spoken with a Prison Pastor, he could have experienced first-hand, the power of God and been able to walk away praising God as opposed to having free-world Pastor's praise him. But don't miss the point. Though Paul was an Apostle, he was also a prisoner who was given an audience with the king. Therefore, as followers of Jesus Christ, you and I should pray for prisoners to be able to do the same.
Pray this with me: Heavenly Father, I pray that just like You did for Paul with King Agrippa, I ask that You’d create an opportunity for Prison Pastors to speak directly to the President about Prison Reform. I thank You that just like Paul got to share his conversion testimony with the king, that they’ll get to share their testimony as well as tell of their experiences behind bars so that the President will better understand why reform is needed. And Lord, please cover all those who attended that meeting. They are hurt and discouraged. So Lord, I ask that You'd send the comfort of Your Holy Spirit to comfort and encourage them to keep doing the outstanding work You created them to do. In Jesus’ name.
Comments