pray

One of the enemy’s tactics against believers is fear. He uses fear that something bad will happen to us, whether it is a tragedy, natural disaster, financial difficulties, disease, or anything else. Bad things do happen in our fallen world. Jesus said we will experience trials, but we can be courageous BECAUSE Jesus conquered the world (John 16:33). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). So if Jesus is life and He has conquered the world,…

Find Hope When in Despair

Shonda Savage Whitworth

hope

My dreams for my family’s future shattered when my oldest son was sentenced to prison. His conviction demolished the good mother image I erected in my mind. With this image decimated, my emotions spiraled into a dark abyss. After my son began his life in state prison, my life of being held captive by guilt, shame, and condemnation started. Despair enveloped me like a heavy fog keeping the light from shining in my life. Proverbs 13:12 reads, “Hope deferred makes the…

A Memorial Day Tribute from an Inmate

Shonda Savage Whitworth

Holidays

The incarcerated men and women in American prisons remember those who served our country defending our country’s freedoms. Earlier this month, Fortress of Hope Ministries received a letter from an inmate that included a poem honoring the U.S. soldiers. As we pray for our incarcerated loved ones and our families, let’s remember to pray for those who serve our country and the families of those whose loved ones sacrificed their lives for our nation. In 1971, Memorial Day became an…

Advocating for Your Loved One – Part 1

Shonda Savage Whitworth

Advocacy

Advocating for our incarcerated loved one at one time or another during their confinement is inevitable. I learned early on as a family member on the outside that I needed to learn to find a balance between when to call the unit on behalf of my son and when to leave things alone. On one hand, it may be beneficial for the prison staff to know that the inmate has family on the outside who care about their loved one…

The Significance of Praying Psalm 91

Find Hope When in Despair

A Memorial Day Tribute from an Inmate

Advocating for Your Loved One – Part 1