(Amazing Grace: The Undeserved Gift)
Scripture Reference: – Job 29:2-3 – Ephesians 2:4-5 – Hebrews 4:16
"Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness."
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)"
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need”
I have been working on this devotional for several days after receiving a letter from a 35 year old, young Christian prisoner, who recently wrote to me and spoke openly about his struggles and severe depression in prison, Over the past 20+ years I’ve been writing to a group of around 85 men who find themselves living in prison with a sad designation after their name; “LWOP” – meaning “life without parole”
This title carries with it no shortage of discussion or opinions regarding its reality. Many feel it’s even worse than the death penalty, because those on death row know that at some point, their day is coming, and life as they know it will come to an abrupt end, Some feel LWOP is cruel and unusual punishment, as these men and women live with the fact that unless their state has changes in the law, they will live every day of their life in prison, right up to the day they die.
Some states, like here in California have initiatives like ours…..which is “drop the LWOP” – with many Californians believing that at some point, after many years in prison, LWOP prisoners deserve a chance to be found suitable before the parole board.
I have my death row and LWOP friends in a special prayer journal where I lift them up in prayer by their respective prisons. It’s easier for me to do it that way. I count right around 25 who are here in CA, and about half of those men are here in Northern CA, where I’m able to visit them at area prisons.
For years I’ve spoken about how hard it is at times to sit across from a professing brother in Christ who is LWOP – oftentimes struggling with the words to say to them. Some are amazing strong brothers in Christ, who live each day, enjoying peace and contentment in Christ. Others, like the brother whose letter I just received, is only 35 and has been in the throes of depression and despair for a long time.
I could write a book about what I’ve learned about depression over the past 25 years. It is a leading cause of suicide all over the world. Here in the US, there were 49,000 reported suicides last year. Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide. The lifetime rate of suicide among individuals with untreated depressive disorders is nearly 20%.
Suicide from depression has been the cause of many deaths among prisoners here in the US every year. Back in 2015 I was serving as an assistant to the Chaplain at Folsom State Prison.
I remember quite well a man I had only met once, but was getting to know. I saw him in the yard, and we only exchanged letters a few times. Coming to chapel on Saturday morning, when I arrived, one of my friends told me of a suicide on his tier. Sure enough, it was my friend, who jumped off of a 5th floor tier, who died within a few hours from his injuries.
So I’m putting tonight’s devotional together to send off to a young professing new Christian, who is LWOP, and only 37 years of age. He’s serving time in a wretched notoriously awful prison, “Angola State Prison” known officially as “Louisiana State Penitentiary.” This prison has been written about in the papers for years. It was nicknamed “Angola” for the former slave plantation on which the prison was built, and it is notorious for the brutality of its past and the cruelty of its present, as scores of men are subjected to unnecessary suffering, and even death.
For decades there is nothing I’ve enjoyed writing about more than the matchless grace of God. I believe “grace” is the most powerful and meaningful word in the English language. A single line or paragraph defining the grace of God seems lacking. Countless books throughout the centuries have been written of God’s amazing grace. We’ve listened to sermons since we were children that attempted to define this great truth.
Many years ago, in greeting people, instead of saying, “how are you?” – I adopted the phrase “Grace To You” and it has served me well over the years. We routinely say how are you to people, but don’t really expect an honest answer as to how they are really doing. We do it out of custom. I feel much better pronouncing “grace” upon someone I meet. That simple greeting over the years has led to some wonderful conversations.
"Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace"
...God's Invitation
Hebrews 4:16. This verse is an open invitation from God Himself. It tells us that because of Jesus Christ—our great High Priest—we have the right to approach God’s throne with confidence, not fear.
The phrase “come boldly” means we don’t have to hesitate or be afraid. Before Christ’s sacrifice, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and that was once a year. Now, because of Jesus, we can enter God’s presence at any time, bringing our struggles, sins, and burdens directly to Him.
The “throne of grace” speaks of God’s mercy and loving-kindness. He is not a distant, angry judge but a compassionate Father who welcomes us with open arms. His throne is not a place of condemnation, but of grace, where we find help exactly when we need it.
This verse promises two things to all who come:
Mercy – This covers our past failures, mistakes, and sins. No matter what we have done, God offers forgiveness when we approach Him with repentance.
Grace to help in time of need – This is God’s strength, provision, and guidance for whatever we are facing right now. It is His active help, tailor-made for our struggles.
How Can We Apply This Verse to Our Lives?
1. Pray with Confidence, Not Fear
When you pray, don’t approach God as if He is reluctant to hear you. Instead, come boldly, knowing that He delights in His children calling upon Him. You don’t have to earn His attention—He is already waiting for you.
2. Trust in God’s Grace for Every Situation
This verse reminds us that grace is always available, right where you are, – living in freedom or in prison. Whether you are struggling with depression, prison life, temptation, loneliness, or regret, God’s grace is enough. He doesn’t just give a little—He gives exactly what you need, when you need it.
3. Let Mercy Cover Your Past
Many of my friends in prison still feel overwhelmed by the weight and guilt from their past sins. Hebrews 4:16 assures them that God’s mercy is greater. The enemy wants to keep us stuck in shame, but God calls you and me to His throne to receive mercy and move forward in His grace.
4. Call on God in Every “Time of Need”
There is no wrong time to seek God. Whether it’s a moment of weakness, sorrow, or temptation, He is ready to provide help. He does not get tired of us coming to Him—He welcomes it.
This verse is a life-giving promise. No matter how dark your situation feels, God’s throne is always open to you. His grace is endless, His mercy is abundant, and He invites you to come boldly, trusting that He will meet your needs.
We should value every word of the Bible, but when asked if I have a favorite, I go to this verse in Scripture, I point to a simple declaration from the author of Hebrews. It has become a “life verse” for me. Hebrews 4:16 declares, “let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Grace is one of the most powerful and beautiful truths in all of Scripture. It is God’s unearned, unmerited, and undeserved favor toward us. Grace means that no matter how far we have fallen, how much we have failed, or how broken we feel, God’s love reaches us.
Before we knew Him, we were lost—dead in our sins, without hope. Yet, in His great mercy, God extended His grace through Jesus Christ, offering us salvation when we did nothing to deserve it. This is amazing grace! It lifts the guilty, restores the broken, and transforms lives.
Think of the Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, yet through grace, God made him a preacher of the Gospel. Think of the thief on the cross—condemned to die—yet in his final moments, Jesus promised him paradise. God’s grace doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. It meets us where we are and changes us from the inside out.
Even now, in the struggles and trials of life, His grace sustains us. When we are weak, grace strengthens. When we fall, grace restores. When we doubt, grace reassures.
No prison wall, no past mistake, no sin is greater than God’s grace. His love reaches you right where you are, offering new life, fresh mercy, and a future filled with hope.
Reflection:
Have you fully accepted God’s grace, or are you still trying to earn His love?
In what areas of your life do you need to trust His grace more?
Lessons From The Past
Job knew suffering. He lost his wealth, his health, and his children. His friends accused him, and even his wife told him to curse God and die. In his pain, Job longed for the past, remembering the days when God's presence felt near, when life was full of purpose and joy. You may feel the same way—remembering a time when life was different, before the chains, before the struggles, before the loneliness of a prison cell.
But Job’s story doesn’t end in despair. Though he mourned his losses, God had not abandoned him. The same God who blessed Job in the past was still in control of his future. And that truth applies to you, even now.
Can Memories of the Past Help You?
Yes, but only if you view them through faith. Satan wants you to look at your past and think, “Those days are gone, and they’re never coming back.” But God says, “Remember - I was faithful then, and I am faithful now.”
David remembered past victories. When facing Goliath, David recalled how God delivered him from lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:37). His past experiences strengthened his faith for the battle ahead.
Jeremiah clung to hope in suffering. Amid destruction, he declared, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22). His suffering didn’t end immediately, but his faith in God’s unchanging nature gave him strength.
Paul found grace in weakness. Though he was beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned, he learned that God’s grace was sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Like these men, you can look back—not with despair, but with confidence that the same God who carried you before will carry you now.
Charles Spurgeon and Martin Luther on Depression
Both Spurgeon and Luther battled deep depression, yet they clung to God’s grace.
Spurgeon called depression the "black dog" that followed him. He suffered from bouts of extreme sorrow, yet he wrote: "I find myself frequently depressed—perhaps more so than any other person here. But I find no better cure for that depression than to trust in the Lord with all my heart."
Luther struggled with anxiety and fear, yet he learned to preach the Gospel to himself. He said: “You say, ‘I feel that I am not righteous.’ Well, place your hand upon your heart and say, ‘Nevertheless, I am justified through faith in Christ.” This champion of the faith spoke openly about his depression and how the grace of God used it to draw Luther closer to him. He said once that it wasn’t until he was in the deepest state of depression did God reveal to him much of the truth from the Psalms.
Both men found relief not by looking inward, but by looking to Christ. “Depression whispers that you are forgotten, but grace declares that you are held.”
Remember God’s past faithfulness – Just as He sustained you before, He will sustain you now.
Cling to God's promises in Scripture – Even when emotions betray you, God’s Word is solid ground.
Pray honestly – Pour out your heart like David did in the Psalms. God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
Focus on grace, not guilt – The enemy wants you trapped in regret, but Christ has set you free.
Encourage others – Even in prison, God can use you to be a light to someone else.
Ways to Fight Depression Behind Bars
Depression in prison is a heavy burden, but it is not beyond God's power to heal. Here are some practical and spiritual steps to help you fight it:
1. Cling to God’s Word Daily
Read Scripture even when you don’t feel like it. God’s truth anchors your mind against the enemy’s lies.
Meditate on passages of hope, like Psalm 42:11: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope thou in God.”
Write down verses and carry them with you, speaking them over your life.
2. Strengthen Your Prayer Life
Pour out your heart honestly to God, like David did in the Psalms.
Thank God for small blessings each day—gratitude can shift your focus from despair to hope.
Pray for others. Interceding for someone else can lift you out of self-pity.
3. Remember God's Past Faithfulness
When depression tells you that joy is gone forever, remind yourself of how God has sustained you before.
Keep a journal of answered prayers or moments when you felt God’s presence.
4. Find Purpose Where You Are
Encourage someone else who is struggling. Being a light in someone else’s darkness helps lift your own.
If possible, get involved in Bible studies or faith-based programs.
Be an example of God’s grace to others, even in a difficult place.
5. Take Care of Your Mind and Body
Depression can weigh on your physical health. Stay active if you can—walking, stretching, or exercise can improve your mood.
Be mindful of what you dwell on. Fill your mind with Scripture and uplifting truths rather than negativity.
Steps to Deepen Your Faith in Prison
1.Set aside time for prayer and Bible reading each day.
Even in a crowded or loud environment, find ways to be alone with God in your heart.
2. Study Scripture with Purpose
Pick a book of the Bible and study it deeply (Job, Psalms, Philippians, and Romans are great for suffering).
Memorize key verses that you can call on in times of struggle.
3. Trust in God's Plan, Even When You Don't Understand
Joseph was in prison for years, yet God used that time to shape him for something greater (Genesis 39–50).
John Bunyan spent 12 years in prison because he refused to stop preaching the gospel. God gave him the wisdom and strength in prison to write one of the greatest books the world has ever know, selling less copies than only the Bible. I’m referring to Bunyan's timeless classic, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Even if you don’t see an escape from your circumstances, God can use you right where you are.
4. Surround Yourself with Godly Encouragement
If possible, connect with other believers.
Read books or devotionals by strong Christian figures (like Spurgeon, Luther, or modern-day pastors).
5. Let Grace Shape Your Identity
The enemy wants you to define yourself by your past, but God defines you by His grace.
No matter what others say, in Christ, you are forgiven, loved, and made new.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, but only to be discovered in the night of adversity.”
Your suffering does not mean God has abandoned you. He is near, even in the deepest darkness. Trust Him one day at a time.
Here are some specific Scriptures and prayers to help you fight depression and deepen your faith, whether in bonds or free.
Scriptures for Strength and Encouragement
1. When You Feel Hopeless
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
2. When Depression Overwhelms You
Psalm 42:5 – “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
3. When You Feel Alone or Forgotten
Deuteronomy 31:8 – “And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
4. When You Need Strength to Endure
Isaiah 40:31 –"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
5. When You Struggle with Guilt or Regret
Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If any man is in Christ he is a new creature, old things are past away, behold, all things are become new”.
Final Word Of Encouragement
Even in prison, God is with you. Your life still has meaning, and He can use you to shine His light in dark places. Don’t let depression convince you that you are forgotten—God has His hand on you. One day at a time, keep pressing forward in faith.
For all the prayer warriors out there, I ask that as you pray this evening you would keep my incarcerated friends in prayer, as the weight of sorrow and depression has taken hold of so many. Many long for the day when joy and peace felt so near because of God’s presence.
Help them to remember that the Lord has never left them. Just as He has sustained them in the past, so He will continue to hold their future in His mighty arms. Lord, sustain them through their many dark nights of the soul and restore their weary hearts and mind by your amazing grace.
So many of my incarcerated brothers and sisters lay their heads on the pillows tonight feeling weary and broken. Their heart is heavy, and their mind is clouded with sorrow. One thing I know - God alone is our rock and refuge and He will take us under the shelter and comfort of His mighty wings.
He gives struggling saints the strength to trust in His grace, even when we can’t see a way forward. We need to be reminded that we are never alone and that His mercies are new every morning. God’s Word assures every child of God that He can lift us out of the pit of depression and despair, thereby restoring our hope.
Heavenly Father, when I look back on my life, I see how You have carried me through trials before. I know You have not abandoned me now. Help me and all those our ministry reaches out to who live behind prison walls. Help us all to remember Your goodness and trust that You are working all things for our good. Let my faith and theirs be stronger than our fears. Thank You for Your amazing grace that never lets us go... Amen
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith / Life Journal: By Gregg Harris
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