A Christian ministry recently released a video showing what genuine praise and worship looks like inside a maximum-security prison, with inmates happily raising their hands to Christ and praying. The heartfelt scenes were shared by God Behind Bars, an organization that connects with churches to help bring the gospel to incarcerated people across the United States.
The video, which includes mainly praise and worship, also features some affirming and positive messages inmates receive through God Behind Bars. A speaker is seen telling 150 inmates who gathered inside a prison chapel, “Some of you guys in this room, this is one of the only moments that you just have your time with the Lord. It might always be chaos or noise, so I just want to take a moment and allow you guys to spend time with Jesus, reflect, and begin to think of things you’re grateful for.”
After the prisoners meditate on their blessings and speak out in gratitude, hands go up, and worship music fills the room. As the group openly praises Jesus, cheers ring out. A video description reads, “As we begin to play ‘Gratitude’ by Brandon Lake, the spirit of the men worshipping changed. These incarcerated men began to cheer and clap as they sang, ‘So come on, my soul, lift up your song. Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord.’”
This is hardly the first testimony or video to come from God Behind Bars, with the organization consistently sharing a flood of content on social media showing how encounters change inmates’ lives with Jesus. CBN’s Faithwire reported that 130 prisoners were recently baptized due to the organization’s work, including 90 women at a federal prison. God Behind Bars described it as a “holy moment.” The ministry said, “God is changing the lives of these women. Addictions are breaking, forgiveness is reigning, and Jesus is winning.”
Since 2009, God Behind Bars has partnered with churches nationwide to transform the lives of prison inmates and their families. Most prisoners, as many as 92 percent of all incarcerated individuals, will be released back to society at some point, and 75 percent will return to prison within three years. God Behind Bars addresses this problem with a unique three-step approach focusing on inmates’ and their families’ physical, spiritual, and relational needs.