The Jail Dad

For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. Psalm 69:33

I pray that if the Dad is awaiting trial that he will be given a second chance. Let the judge have mercy. I pray the judge will give him house arrest, or probation for a non-violent crime, and first-time offense. I pray he will repent and truly change his life around. Don’t let him not take the opportunity to get right and stay right. Let his lawyer, warden or other cell mate speak life to him. Don’t allow him to turn a deaf ear to words that will help him. Allow the Jail Dad to believe he can do better.

I pray You will bless the Dad that is in jail. I pray that after the judge sentences the Jail Dad, he will serve his time peacefully. I pray that the Jail Dad does not commit suicide while in jail or prison. I pray against the spirit of hopelessness causing the Dad to want to commit suicide.

Connect him with Godly people as he is serving time. I pray You will bless his mind to be transformed, let his character be changed. Allow him to walk in newness by his actions, words, and or deeds. God, I pray that if they are guilty

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of committing the crime, and the Jail Dad has now been transferred to prison, he will repent and apologize to the victim (if they are still alive) and the victim's family for his behavior.

I pray that while he is in jail, that he will make some goals for himself: like complete school and/or learn a trade. So, when he gets out, he will have some skills and obtain a job. I pray that when he is released, he will be able to function in society. He will no longer have the mentality that caused him to be in prison in the first place. Give him the ability to make good choices outside of the prison walls; choices that will not land him in jail anymore. Lord, help the Jail Dad after he has been released to seek Godly counsel. Lord, I pray You will bind up the hand of the enemy: that You will eliminate the different traps set out for him to return to jail. I bind and break every chain of destruction in his life. Lord, cut down and bind every curse that has been spoken over the Jail Dad’s life through family, friends and or society. Don’t let him return to prison. Allow his family and friends not to bring up the past in a negative way, especially if You have changed him. Open a door and allow the Ex- Jail Dad an opportunity to talk about having a second chance at life, and how their life has been changed.

I pray You will change the laws in the states which make it hard to hire convicts. I pray against big corporations that continue to prosper and make money off mass

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incarceration, and systems that do not allow those that should be on parole to be released on parole. Bind up the hands of the enemy from people desiring to continue to make money off people who are in the system.

I pray You will expose all types of criminal behavior. Even if it’s the guards that are committing the crime and it is being covered up by the system; don’t allow it to continue without the people being punished. I pray that the prison warden will respect them and walk with integrity as he is doing his job. I pray that he will treat all the prisoners fairly.

Lord, continue to let Your laborers go inside the prison and minister to them on a weekly or monthly basis. Lord, give them the vision to help these men when they are released. Keep the chaplains that are working in the prison system strong, and in the power of You might. Bind up the hand of the enemy that would try to discontinue the prison ministries, and want to close it down because it is helping the prisoners.

If the Dad is in prison due to a crime he did not commit, I pray that their case will be reopened due to someone just simply believing he is not guilty of the crime. I pray You will cause him to be released in Jesus’ name. I pray You will send a lawyer or some law students to work on his case pro bono. I pray they will go back and be able to uncover new evidence, and the evidence will prove the dad’s innocence. Let the dad

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have faith that he will be released. I pray the Jail Dad will know that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose. Allow the dad to walk in forgiveness for serving time in jail when he was innocent. I pray he will be well compensated fairly.

If the Jail Dad has a sentence that gives him no possibility of parole, I pray that You will allow him to minister to his child during visiting hours. Allow him to realize that it’s not the quantity of time, but the quality. Let Your angels minister to him in the early morning hours. Especially if he feels like he is all alone, and when he feels depressed, and all hope is lost.

If he knew You before he went into prison, allow him to reconnect with You. Let there be people, guards and other prisoners who will speak life to him, witness to him and keep him encouraged.

PRAYERS FOR THE CHILDREN

Lord, allow whoever is raising the child to be sensitive to the child if they are depressed, sad or feel rejected because their father is incarcerated. Remove depression from the child due to their father being in jail or prison. Don’t allow the child to feel responsible for their father's choices that landed him in jail. Don’t allow history to repeat itself, and the child ends up incarcerated, following in the footsteps of the Dad. Lord, I pray You will bind up the hand of the enemy from anyone

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speaking ill about the Dad being in jail to the children. Don’t let the child be angry or bitter with the law or their father. Don’t let other children make fun of the child due to the father being in jail. Guard their hearts, Lord. If the Jail Dad is about to be released, allow the child to be open to a relationship with their father. Let the child have faith that their Dad will indeed be released if the Dad is scheduled to be released.

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