One way I’m praying is to acknowledge each person’s individual purpose in life. Whatever crime was committed can’t be the “end all” for that person. It can’t be how we identify with him or her because, ultimately, that is not how God identifies us. God is the one who made us and loves us as His own son or daughter. Those incarcerated can feel that they are worthy of progressing beyond what they’ve done.

God has made a promise with us (a covenant as the Bible says) that God will be with us and we will follow Him. This promise is two sided. God keeps His word and we also keep ours by listening and following God’s direction. I know God is speaking to each and every one in what seems to be the darkest of places. It is God’s will for us to do be and do what is good. We are all capable of following Jesus’ simple and profound commandments: Love God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus didn’t accept labels for people. And neither should we.

Yes, it’s important for there to be an understanding of the impact of people's actions on others including a desire to live honestly and within the law. And I’m not trying to oversimplify things nor overlook that there are hardened, dangerous criminals. But I don’t want to put a label and accept that they are locked into a behavior pattern based on their environment and other influences.

God is a God of mercy and justice. There is hope for everyone. These are my prayers.