Prayer Warriors for Prisoners

Prayer Warriors For Prisoners’ (PWFP) conducts an annual Christmas Card Project to reach lost and lonely prisoners with the love of Jesus Christ at a time when they are most vulnerable and open to the Gospel message. This tiny demonstration of compassion impacts not only prisoners but their families, chaplains and prison officers in ways we could never have imagined. It has become a major evangelical outreach for PWFP, churches, organizations and individuals working together in the prison mission field. Last year, it became clear that prisoners from all faiths, including Muslim and Jewish, will “sign up” to receive a Christmas card because they are starved for mail. Most volunteers participating in the project include a Christian tract with each Christmas card. Several prisoners wrote to say the accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior because of the card and tract. Many express gratitude with letters, notes on their prayer forms, and Christmas or thank you cards. There are many testimonies of how touched they are to receive a card from someone they never met. Most prisoners do not respond for various reasons. Some cannot afford a stamp. Some think they are not allowed to respond. However, those who do respond bless our hearts greatly. Read some of the testimonies from the 2005 Project on a separate page.
The Department of Corrections approves and distributes the “sign up sheets” for prisoners to request a Christmas card from PWFP. The most amazing thing happened last year at the front end of the project. Responses and encouragement from prison officers who were extremely helpful in getting the names of the prisoners to us were amazing. One captain sent an encouraging note thanking us for “bringing a light of hope to the prisoners, especially at this time of year.” Below is a letter from a volunteer coordinator at a facility.

      “Enclosed are the sign-up sheets for the offenders interested in receiving a Christmas card from PWFP. Statistics indicate that only 10% of the population at these facilities has regular visits. Although I don’t know this to be fact, the percentage of those who receive mail on even a monthly basis may be only slightly higher. So to ensure that as many of the offenders who requested a card receive one, I have attached a slip on each sheet that will assist with the name, DOC# and Living Unit in the event there is difficulty in reading the handwritten information.
      My time and circumstances permitted me to do this for such a worthwhile project! I extend my appreciation from the PMC/YOS staff and offenders!”
            Sincerely, A Staff Member

REACHING PRISONERS WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Last year, PWFP coordinated the mailing of Christmas cards to 5,700 prisoners across the country and some in Africa. Past requests from prisoners indicate a growth of at least double that amount this year. Over 40 Florida prisons were added to the PWFP outreach. Will you help? Please look over the guidelines for volunteers and the Project coordinator information. Volunteers are safe and the prisoners never know who they are except for their first name.

HELPING FINANCIALLY

PWFP is a 501c3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. The non profit number is 98-14898-0000 issue date June 28, 2001. Thank you for your consideration. Click Here to help Support PWFP

WORDS FROM GRATEFUL PRISONERS

THESE WORDS ARE CLASSIC AND WORTH ALL THE EFFORT PUT INTO THIS OUTREACH!
“Thank you for not forgetting about me and please continue to reach out to others. If your goal was to make a difference in just one persons life… well you have accomplished your goal!”

Prayer Warrior,
I received a card today from you. I do not know you and I am not sure what your name is. You signed the Card Dolois. Maybe it is Deloris? Either way I want to thank you. I have really been struggling these past few weeks with my faith. As a matter of fact I was having some real negative thoughts at the time I got your card. That single card is the best Christmas gift I have had in my 32 years on this earth. I am serious. No amount of money could buy the feeling you gave me. I felt someone still loves me, even if just for a little while. Well, I love you too! I lost my parents at a young age and was bounced around after that. In my adult life I have loved and been loved by many until drugs took over my life. I threw away a college degree a wife and my kids I had forgotten how to love. The worst fear I have is that I will never be loved again. Your card gave me hope.
Thank you for not forgetting about me and please continue to reach out to others. If your goal was to make a difference in just one persons life well you have accomplished your goal! You belong with the angels!
David , Bushnell, Florida

Dear Prayer Warrior,
Thank you so very much for the beautiful Christmas Card you sent and the even more wonderful words inside. Thanks for praying for my family and I too said a prayer for you and yours. I feel you people at PWFP are truly doing God's work by helping us who are in need. What better gift can you give than to pray to God for someone? I can think of none better than this. You=re asking the Lord to hear someone and only He truly can help anyone. I just want to let you know you and all the people at PWFP are greatly appreciated. May God bless your days with happiness and joy. Robert, Buena Vista, Colorado

Dear Prayer Warriors,
I would like to thank Jim and Joyce for the Christmas card. It meant a lot hearing from a complete stranger and knowing that someone other than God does truly care! I have been in prison since I was sixteen and I’ll be twenty-five in July. I am sending my prayer request. I want to be home before my eighteen year old brother is convicted of a murder charge they are holding him for. I appreciate your ministry a lot because I have no one deeply grounded in their walk to help me along mine. Thanks again.
Erica, Occala, FL

Dear Prayer Warrior,
I appreciate the beautiful card. This was the only Christmas Card I received from any one. I'm a Christian saved by grace. I play the piano from the Music book and was trained by my mother. May God bless you and keep you safe in His arms.
Charlie, Florida

I deeply appreciate the Christmas card. To tell you the truth it was the only one I got this year. God has a funny way of letting me know He's there and always will be whenever I need Him. It really made my day! Brandon, Shelby, MT

Dear Janet,
Thank you for the Christmas card. It is the only one that I've received this year. What you are doing to help prisoners know the gift of Jesus Christ is great. For me it means everything and a lot of the Christian Brothers here feel the same I know. Again Thank You!
Jim

Dear Mary Derek and Sadie,
Thank you for the card that you sent. It really touched me. I mean for a person that doesn't know me to write, “Jesus loves you and so do we” had me feeling good. As a matter of fact I feel good right now. I can't even explain it, it's beyond words. I wish to have the same love that you have. My family is not the type to express true feelings. I haven't seen my sons in six years but whenever I write them I always tell them I love them. You are the first one to write me outside of my family, and tell me you love me. I truly hope to hear from you again.
Lacarvia, Raiford, FL

Dear Janet,
Thank you so much for the Christmas Card. Sorry for waiting so long to write you back and thank you It=s a beautiful card. You folks brighten many inmates day. God bless you and Merry Christmas. Well Happy New Year because by the time you read this Christmas will be over. One thing I've noticed about Christmas, is that a week before, everyone is in the Christmas Spirit, but the day after Christmas everyone is back to normal thinking about what they will wear on New Years or what bad habits they'll stop for that year. Bah Humbug! I wish Christmas could be all year round!
Daniel, Chipley Florida

Dear Lucille,
Thank you for your Christmas Card it was a blessing to me. It was 1 of 3 I received and they all came from Prayer Warriors For Prisoners. I sent out 8 cards to family and friends in early December and received no replies. Needless to say I was somewhat depressed, yet I remained thankful the Lord had called me to be one of His own. Although your card was post marked 1-11-06 I did not receive it until 1-2- 07. Come to find out the mail room here held back mail on almost every inmate. I pray for whoever would do this during this time of the season. At any rate I did finely receive your card and wanted to write and personally tell you it was very nice to think that someone had even a thought about me. The reason I am writing to you is to say THANK YOU! And also to thank all of the Prayer Warriors. A lot of inmates here at Crowley received your cards and were very uplifted by the out pouring of the love that is expressed by the efforts of the Prayer Warriors. All I can tell you is that by your blessing upon us inmates, the Lord will bring His blessings upon the Prayer Warriors. It would have been nice to receive the Christmas cards for all inmates before Christmas. It just goes to show that satan will do what ever he can to dampen men's spirits, yet satan cannot stop the Holy Spirit. Amen! God's power always comes through!
I am honored by Prayer Warriors For Prisoners
Neal, Crowley, Colorado

Greetings Family in Christ.
I'm writing to say thank you so very much for the Beautiful Christmas Cards you took the time to send me. I have to be honest with you. I kept saying to myself that I was going to write and thank you guys and I kept putting it off, and God convicted my spirit in the worse way. This scripture was written upon my heart. “After Jesus healed the 10 lepers. Only one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned and with a loud voice glorified God.” Thank You!
Alice, Pueblo, CO.

Dear Ms June,
I pray somehow that you receive this letter. Thank you for the card. I was feeling very down and it uplifted me. The thing that caught my attention was the words “praying for you.” Within the last two weeks I received five letters from PWFP. I have never received two letters from a family member within the same month. I am hoping to receive mail or pictures of my son's whom I haven't seen since January 2000. I appreciate the cards that PWFP sent. I just don't understand how someone who doesn't know me can find time to write me but my own family members can't. I guess it's true when they say there's a friend who sticks closer than a brother. These last 12 years of incarceration has been hard on me and it seems like each day it gets worse. However I do want to thank you once again for the card and the encouraging words.
Lacarvia, Florida

Soldier,
I have no idea how you got my name and address. I certainly need all the prayer I can get. And I certainly appreciate you for it. I have a lengthy sentence, but if it's possible for me to parole I think you've given me a way to serve. The cards were an encouragement, and I'd like to be able to encourage others. Thank You!
The card Michael sent reads, “Fill your hearts with all that lovin' that He gave to set us free! Clap your hands and praise the Savior, He was born for you and me! Have a very, very Merry Christmas. Ain't God Good?” Cute card! From Michael, Bushnell Florida

Dear Delores,
Happy Holidays! It's Chanukah, the festival of lights but only messianic Jews are coming to Jewish services. We pray that the secular Jews on the compound will come and celebrate the feasts of Israel with us. There is so much darkness! May they come to Y'shua's (Jesus) light in this season.
John Phillips P03556 Columbia CI

Dear Lisa VDC,
Thank you for your letter and card. And thanks for reminding me that I am forgiven. It's so easy to forget that sometimes. I frequently beat myself up for my crime and those I've hurt along the way including my children. The Lord really does love us. He's my daddy. I am His child.
The card you sent was beautiful. It's funny that you sent one with a polar bear and cub because it's the third picture like that I've seen this week. One was in my friends wildlife magazine the other was on a calendar my other friend showed me, and now I have my very own Polar bear and cub picture. I will cherish this card. God knew I wanted my own. He loves me. I want to wish you the very best from all of us here in prison. I know that your ministry has put smiles on a lot of inmates faces. Merry Christmas
Daniel, Chipley FL

Dear Brandi,
Hello how are you doing? I hope this letter will find you doing well. I'm not at all sure how to do this. I got a Christmas cared from you through the PWFP and it sure meant a lot to me. I don't get mail to often, and something it gets sad in here but it sure meant a lot to me to receive a card. I know you don't know me but that was a very nice thing that you did for me. Sometimes it's easy to lose hope. I know God loves me and He's in control and I am a very blessed person. God's been good to me. I have been in prison a very long time and I never thought I could do this it's lonely at times. A lot of the times I miss my mom and little sisters. God’s given me the strength to face each day one at a time and try to be a better person each day. He's given me hope in change within myself. I came here when I was an 18 year old kid. I'm 32 now and God's given me lots of reasons to grow up, and become a man. He's helped me see how special life is and that even from here I can do good things, and make a difference. I know I live here but I don't have to act like I belong here. God made me for something more than this. Even Paul was in jail, and he did good things. I know I'm not Paul, but I can try to live like he did. Try to do better. A lot of people come here and give up, but I can't! I know I was put on this earth for some reason, and as long as God's in control I have to keep trusting Him. Like I said God's been good to me. He leads me through the hard times, and taught me to be thankful for small things. It gives my life more meaning. I have a lot to be thankful for even in a place like this because I choose to see how much God's done for me. I thought I would not get a Christmas card this year, and that would have been ok, but out of the blue, you sent a Christmas Card. It meant a lot to me because some times I start to think God's forgetting that I'm in here. I know that's never the case but when you’re sad and lonely, it can feel that way, but when I do start to feel like that, it seems God does something to just let me know He's still here with me, and I'm not alone! That's what He did with this card from you. I guess I really needed it. I get a little sad during the holidays. I guess I should be used to it by now but it still gets to me some times. But like your card says, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” I like that. I also know I am free on the inside. God always seems to get my attention when I get down on myself and some how He used you to bring a lot of joy and hope to me in this cell. The Bible says there's nothing God can't do and I sure do believe that. Your letter did got to me and I wanted to let you know that you made me happy, like I'm not alone. It's a very nice thing you so I wanted to write and tell you thank you very, very much. About myself I'm doing good. I believe that some day it will get better. I wanted to tell you more about myself so you will know who you sent the card to. I am a Christian. I believe Jesus died for my sins. I believe all people can change and that everyone has a meaning in this life. I think even in jail, people need to hear good things, and I know God's a very good God. He is bigger than this. Brandi, thank you for your card. I'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas.
If you pray for me could you pray that God just keeps giving me the strength to do this one day at a time.
John, FL

Dear Lou and Trish
I don't know either of you and I may never get to know either of you personally, but in the body of Christ Jesus it makes no Difference because we are all His children. Therefore, please allow me to just say thanks for the Christmas card, but more so, for the joy and happiness you brought to my heart. Blessing be to you and yours in Jesus Holy Name. You see not may of us receive mail from the outside, but God cares! Please feel free to write to me anytime for if it's about the Word of God. I truly welcome the Good News. Thank you in Jesus Holy Name, for your thoughts of me at Christmas.
Willie, Doral, Florida

Dear Prayer Warriors for Prisoners,
Thank you all for the Beautiful Christmas Cards! They brighten up this special time of year for me. They lifted my spirits and helped strengthen my faith. Thank each and everyone there. You're all very special people. May god bless you all and protect you all. My prayers are with you.
Albert, Arcadia, Fl

Thank you so very much for everything. PWFP you have been a true blessing to me in all areas of life. God bless you all. In Jesus Name
Mark, Columbia, Florida

Finally, A note to the Director from one of our wonderful volunteers! I’m sure you all share her sentiments!

Jan,
I loved doing the Christmas cards for the prisoners. Doing cards for family and friends can sometimes feel like work but doing them for the prisoners… not for one second did it feel like that. I think it was because I was so focused on the Lord and looking to Him for the right words and scriptures for each person.
PWFP Volunteer

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR PRISONERS

WORDS FROM GRATEFUL PRISONERS