Today was just like any other day in the life of being a chaplain in the Philadelphia Prison System.  However, my visit with an inmate today was anything but a typical day for her and may just be a turning point in her life. Locked in a cell, separated from all family and friends with no opportunity to make bail she awaits her day in court.  I am not at liberty to go into any details, but can tell you that her excessive worrying about the possibility of getting the death penalty for her alleged crime was the topic of our discussion.  Trying to get her to focus on God's heart for her despite what she may or may not have done, was very difficult and took 2 hours to get a spiritual breakthrough. Knowing that I had all the time in the world to pierce the darkness in her mindset with the light of God's Word because she was a "captive audience" I kept on point with the Word of God trusting in its powerful message to be alive and active in tearing down the strongholds in her mindset.  Her understanding of who God is, is very misguided.  With a terrible childhood experience, coupled with a longtime relationship with a man who was extremely abusive, she made a series of bad choices leading up to her final act which brought her to prison.  I don't know how this will end up in the judicial system, but I do know if she surrenders her life to Jesus, trusting in the power of His blood to wash away ALL of her sins, accept the LOVE that was poured out for her even before she was born and allow Him to be Lord of ALL our circumstances,  she will have life everlasting.   It is also possible that she stands a chance to see a merciful God "turn the heart of the judge".  One thing I know for sure, the Lord can pardon any inmate who turns their heart and their life over to Him and trust Him for the results, and they find "mercy instead of judgement".  This may not happen every time, but it is a reality I have seen many times.  Without God there isn't even hope for a future beyond the walls of her cell, but with her eyes on Him, even if she is found guilty of her crime, at the very least she will find a peace from God, the peace that passes all understanding. Isn't that something all of us desire?  When we live in turmoil, confusion, depression and lots of drama, doesn't a moment of peace relieve us of the stress?  I pray that she has a real encounter with the Living God.  I pray that she gets revelation knowledge of the love of Christ.  I pray that she discovers that through Christ there is a renewed hope, with the promise of life eternal. I left her with Matthew 6:33,34 "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.  Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."  Amplified Bible  The Bible teaches us that if we seek God, we will find Him.  This is because He initiates the seeking, He draws us into His love, because He longs for each of us to be in a relationship with Him, no matter what we have done.  The blood of Jesus is powerful enough to cover and cleanse a multitude of sin.  As we prayed at the end I saw a tear in her eye,  I saw the start of a smile come over her face, and I heard an excitement in her voice when she asked, "will you visit me again?" My answer to her was "of course", because today was just another day in the life of being a chaplain.