Poems and Prose from Prison Alpha Participants

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Edward H.
May, 2003

They tell me each day, "You're imprisoned!"
"Your freedom been taken away!"
But there's something they don't know though,
And I tell them about it each day;

There are more people imprisoned
Then there are behind these bars
For they lust after carnal possessions
Their furs, their money, their cars.

They've created their own prisons
Their lives made troubled by sin
But I've not lost my freedom
Because true freedom comes from within.

I've found peace behind these bars
I've been given a new way of life
I no longer live by the sword
Because Jesus rules in my life.

Each morning I wake up and pray;
"Lord, let your will be done."
Then I do all things for His glory
Giving thanks each night for His Son.

You see, I'm not imprisoned
Over these bars I'll win
Because I live my life for Jesus Christ
Yes, true freedom comes from within!

Copyright
All poems are copyright by their respective authors. A limited copyright has been granted to permit posting on this web site and within the local Alpha program only. To obtain reprint authorization, please contact one of the Alpha Coaches who will relay your message to the appropriate person and/or author.

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Pierre G.
May, 2003

Do you wake up in the morning
To the birds singing your name?
Is every day a special time
Or do they all feel the same?

Is each breath a pleasure
Or does it feel like a chore?
Do you treat each waking moment
Like a gift worth waiting for?

Is your life filled with anguish
Anger, fear and pain?
While others bask in sunshine
Is your life filled with rain?

Do you believe in a God
A God strong and true?
A personal Saviour
Who died just for you?

Call upon the name of Jesus,
He will take away your strife,
Fill you with His loving Spirit
Completely change your life!

There is power in the Spirit
To alter the life you live
Simply believe in the name of Jesus,
To Him your heart just give!

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Robert M.
April, 2003

There are very few blessings in life that are more inspiring, and more elevating than freedom, and there are even fewer that are more priceless, and more precious. Conversely, there is nothing more degrading and more humiliating than to have it taken away from you.

Good, however, can be found in anything if it is diligently sought after. As humiliating and as degrading as my temporary loss of freedom was, it enabled me to truly turn to God for help. It drove me to sincerely repent of my sinful ways; to confess all of my sins to God; and to truly be healed and transformed by the selfless love of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It taught me patience, and helped me to gain wisdom and understanding; it showed me that life is truly worth living and that neither it, nor any one or anything in it, should ever be mistreated or taken for granted.

It helped me to clearly see that the absolute least inspiring aspect of freedom is infinitely more pleasurable, more rewarding, and more precious than any aspect of being imprisoned, and it taught me to truly appreciate the unbelievable joy and beauty of being free.

For me, my temporary loss of freedom became one of the most precious gifts that God has ever brought into my life. But the greatest of all of my gifts from God, and of course the most precious, is the presence in my heart, of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Mike G.
March, 2003

Alpha is on the rise,
sticking up for Christ.
A resurrection of His teachings — the Good News.
May our children rejoice!
'Glory to the King of the Jews'.

Forevermore, take heed my brethren and sistren.
Because we are His siblings,
and the sheep of His pastures.
In life, as we struggle and measure,
our decisions to be or not to be- Christians,
bombarded with ideologies and delusions.

We have eyes yet we do not see.
Ears yet we do not hear.
Have mercy on our soul,
oh! Spirit of Truth. Send mankind a helper without refute.

So we may have that eternal joy.
Every knee shall bow!
Every tongue shall confess,
that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Alpha and Omega!
Selah!

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Mike G.
March, 2003

With Alpha, anyone can discover more about...
Learning the Christian faith with laughter and fellowship throughout:

A pasta and people fiesta;
A sincere welcome wagon;
Helping one another via video, brainstorming information sessions;

Ask and it shall be given.
Seek and ye shall find.
Knock and it shall be open.

Thank God for Alpha.

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Howard A.
March, 2003

Morning glory, starts the story,
a breath of innocents,
angels greeting, we start believing,
a loving consequence.

True and faithful, to Him be grateful,
and Christ will shine on you.
Awake you sleeper,
receive the Helper,
through grace, not what we do.

Our time alive, open up our eyes,
our Lord, your will to serve.
Your glory shine,
your son divine,
our hearts, your will to learn.

Infinite glorias,
holy warriors,
fight not against the flesh-
blood brothers united,
and sisters delighted,
spiritual warfare in heavenly realms,
and prayers of faithful,
our Saviour's truthful,
prayers eyes, churches fixed on Christ.

Here comes the rapture,
the morning after,
in glory, with God consist.

— Coaster

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Howard A.
March, 2003

In hopes, held close, belief on fire,
and burning with yearning in burning desire,
caress your years, the thief acquires,
by stealing the truth, belief expires,
the father of liars…

In "mornings" of pain, I the Bride to betroth,
and my joy never feigns, as my groom gives me growth,
sets my sights to the end, in my race for my King,
sees my strength through my friend, in His praises I sing.

And prayers in all things, are His glory divine,
and my faith through such things, as my soul does define,
in His care I will stay, as our flock finds the gate,
I repent each day, as the hour is late.

Of His will may I live, in my heart may He reign,
and His love I will give, as my Lord does the same,
in His truth we may rest, as He'll never leave us,
Son of Man is the best, King of Kings is Jesus…
Shout and sing, be the blessed, share in victorious.

— Coaster

Written by Prison Alpha attendee William D.
March, 2003

Well this man who's been there for quite some time,
He came around, He spoke, He made me feel fine.
Oh I knew that I could trust Him, he's the ultimate of men,
and I still find it hard to believe I met Him in the pen.
"His name is Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen."
 
Is it not kinda great this story I have to say,
How I ended up in this place and now I have to pay.
Now I found myself some freedom, oh ya this is true,
you know I was feeling so down and feeling so blue,
"His name is Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen."
 
My heart has been broken for many many years,
All the people that I have loved left me standing here, in all these tears.
I cry myself to sleep here each and every night.
But having Jesus with me I know I'll win the fight!
"His name is Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen."

12 Bar Blues

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Mike G.
March, 2003

Jesus is the true and pure manifestation of love.
A caring human being sent though fully from above.

Many are doubtful in the true knowledge of God.
People who don't believe must be mad.

Simply they say there is no proof,
Jesus has the Good News!

We human beings are the greatest miracle on earth.
Jesus Christ told us that God exists, the Truth.

His words are not His but God's,
Who spoke through Him.

And all we have to do is believe and win.
Acknowledge God and our troubles are over.

Experience the joys of living.
A lease on life forever.

A deep love satisfying.
Exemplifying true love and happiness.

May peace be your reward.
Much obliged, God bless.

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Howie A.
February 24, 2003

Every time I try to find my way,
through to my dream,
I find I fall, relinquish all.
It makes me want to scream.
 
The days which see my song and smile,
fade fast beneath the moon.
The harvest of my deadened wish,
my past comes fast to loom.
 
It's true I try, I pray to fly,
Blood rushes around my bones.
I fail, I cry, I hope to die, great loss,
head bows, heart moans.
 
If I believe can I retrieve,
what I've lost along the way.
It was good to go, so I laid it low,
and began again to pray.
 
What I found has changed bounds,
comes challenge head to toe.
Feet not too quick, head not too thick,
the strength to let it go.
 
The will to look beyond what's known,
the faith to find the way.
The truth, the glory in His grace,
the life I live today.
 
Today I'll learn just what I've sown,
in case I'm keeping score.
And I will learn just what God has known,
to keep me wanting more.

Written by Prison Alpha attendee Howie A.
February 24, 2003

Father, could you help me,
I feel so all alone.
I've stumbled down the road of life,
a man without a home.
 
I've lost my friends and family now,
staggered to my end.
I find myself in deep despair,
The old man wouldn't bend.
 
I saw the lights a'coming,
felt helpless all the way.
Knew I'd never make it home,
if Jesus hadn't paid.
 
Through thunder and tribulation,
the mighty rock prevails.
I've built my hope, so I can cope,
in Jesus, as life assails.
 
So Father could you mend me,
I need you now so much.
I want to see your Kingdom come,
My life, your will, your touch.
 
So Father, I surrender,
whatever life will be.
Please complete this new creation,
your good work inside of me.