A resident of Orange Correctional Center was released recently. He wrote a prayer to God and submitted it to the Alamance Orange Prison Ministry. Donnie Teague’s prayer was filled with significant words and expressions that capture the reader’s heart when you read it. His prayer is reflective of the prayers of many that we incarcerate in prisons all across the the United States.
Donnie’s prayer captures the feelings that the men behind the gates of prison feel about going home from prison. He said, “Lord, I realize some of us can go home, and some can’t, but we all know we need you in our lives. And the ones that can’t go home for a while, Lord, just give them patience their day will come. And Lord, for those who can never go home, be with them Lord, and reach down and touch their hearts and ease their pain. Give them comfort in knowing they will get out and see their loved ones one day right after they see you in heaven (and what a day that will be).”
These words remind me of something I started when I became chaplain at Orange Correctional Center. From the very first Sunday evening worship, I would have a time to celebrate meeting the new men on the camp. Then we would celebrate the men that are leaving and going home that week. After a few weeks, one of the men stopped me and told me that we celebrate meeting new men and we celebrate men leaving soon, but we don’t celebrate those who are not new and not leaving. This man challenged me to look at all the men and not just some of the men on the camp.
Starting the next Sunday evening we recognized those leaving by telling them to ‘go well’. Then I ask the men to turn to someone that is not leaving and tell them to ‘stay well’. The men always seem to get a sense of joy in telling one another the stay well. I don’t know what all that means to the men to hear one of their peers to tell them to stay well. I suspect that they all know that staying well is a choice they must make individually and collectively. What I do know is that they smile when they tell their brothers to stay well.
Donnie’s prayer indicates he is going home soon, but he knows some of his brothers and friends are staying behind in prison and that he hopes they will stay well. He even tells those that have no release date from prison to stay well because one day, in their lives after death, they will have a great celebration together with God.
This is what AOPM is doing daily. We are helping men at OCC to go well and to stay well. So today, we tell Donnie, who has been released: Go well. And all those who are waiting for their day of being released: Stay well.
Here is Donnie’s prayer:
Our gracious heavenly Father, I come to you with an open mind and a humble heart. Thank you for all you do in our lives every day. I know we could do nothing without you. We have all lost something by being in here, some more than others. One thing we have all lost and that is our memories because nothing will be the same as it was when we left home. And Lord we will need help with that. Lord, I know we have all lost the material things like homes, cars, boats, jewelry and things like that. And Lord most of us have burnt bridges, but bridges can be rebuilt and we can rebuy homes and cars. But Lord, what hurts us the most is the loved ones that have gone on to be with you. It hurts us so bad we can’t be there to give them a hug and kiss and say goodbye. Please Lord let them know we love them and we’ll be home soon. As for me I have been down 15 years and I have lost a lot of loved ones – aunts, uncles, friends, my dear brother and my ex-wife who was also my best friend. It rips my heart out when I think about it and Lord, I know I’m not by myself. Lord, you said we should be thankful for all things good and bad but that’s not so easy sometimes. But I have found out that when I give thanks for my blessings and the bad things in my life it makes me stronger. So Lord, I want to thank you for this time and for everyone I have met and also all the great men in Kairos and the men and women in Yokefellows. They are your angels here on earth. I have sat back and watched smiles on inmates faces just to shake hands or get a hug from someone from the outside and that has been a blessing to me. Well, you watch over them and protect them and all they do. Thank you, Lord. And Lord, will you continue to bless Chaplain Dewey. Lord, I realize some of us can go home and some can’t, but we all know we need you in our lives and the ones that can’t go home for a while, Lord just give them patience their day will come. And Lord, for those who can never go home, be with them, Lord and reach down and touch their hearts and ease their pain, give them comfort in knowing they will get out and see their loved ones one day right after they see you in heaven. (And what a day that will be.) Lord, I go home Friday and will start over with nothing, but I know you will have it all taken care of. But most of all Lord, will you help my kids to forgive me for not being there for so many years. And Lord, will you give me the power to be a better father to them. Lord, I know I’m older now and may not have much longer, but I will always try to do your will in all I do. Lord, I offer this prayer to you from me and all inmates. And may your will be done not ours. For it’s in Jesus Christ’s name I pray.
Amen & Amen
Donnie Teague