The apostle Paul commented on a few occasions that being in chains was not necessarily a bad thing.
That's because
God can turn anything into good - everyone in that
prison system, including the palace guard learned that Paul was in prison because of his love for
Christ.
More importantly, from Paul's perspective, he saw a change in the
Christians. It seemed that his chains inspired them to speak God's Word more courageously and fearlessly than before.
Here is a testimony reflecting some of this from Pastor Matta Boush in
Sudan --
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to
finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the
task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24
In a Sudan prison, Pastor Matta Boush was depressed as he faced 30 years
on false charges. A visit from an Irish Catholic sister helped change
his outlook. There were others in prison, she said, whose cases were far
worse than his. She told him never to ask himself why he was there, but
instead to ask for what purpose he was there. From that point Matta
Boush began to minister to his fellow prisoners.
He began prayer meetings for non-Muslims and numbers grew quickly. One
event at the prison made an especially strong impact. A prisoner, just
prior to his execution, rather than being fearful, was calm and gave his
testimony. He said he was not afraid to die because he knew he would go
to heaven. This made such an impression that some of the Muslim guards
became Christians.
He was transferred to another prison in the city of El-Obeid. Some
Muslims objected to his ministry and prayer meetings so he was placed in
solitary confinement for several months. Away from his God-given work
and with too much time to think, depression overtook him again. But the
encouragement of friends helped him through the hard times. Returning to
the general prison population, he helped lead between 150 and 200
people to Christ.
Later Matta Boush was transferred to El-Khobar prison in Khartoum. There
he was able to help build a prison chapel as well as continuing his
ministry. In the next ten months, 200 people came to the Lord.
His sudden release indicated that the person ordering it had great
authority. As a free man, he contacted churches and visited Nuba refugee
camps. He was reunited with his three daughters. His wife, however, had
married a Muslim man.
He began providing pastoral care for nine regional churches. He was
faithful in sharing the Lord both in and out of prison. No sacrifice was
too great to accomplish the goal.
An Open Doors-Africa co-worker named Solomon was assigned to find out
if there were many Christians in prison or labor camps in Mozambique
during the communist regime there. While researching, he was arrested
himself:
“In prison, all my possessions, including my Bible were taken from me.
Then I was subjected to a cross-examination for six hours, after which I
was thrown into a cell, exhausted. I had to sleep on a concrete floor. I
did not even get a blanket…
“Knowing that my heavenly father would never forsake me, I directed all
my attention to my fellow-prisoners. Although I still had to sleep on
the floor and was harassed by malaria, bugs and gnawing hunger, I tried
to talk about my faith as much as possible…
“I had the opportunity to preach to my companions. I prayed for the
sick and the Lord heard my prayers and healed them. That was of great
support to them and during my stay in prison, I led fifteen people to
the Lord.
“Unexpectedly, I found out that there were more Christians in prison.
Now it became clear to me why I had to be arrested. In the first place,
to bring the message of salvation to the lost ones in prison. And
secondly, to strengthen my fellow Christians."
Check out this prayer for generosity from Ignatius of Loyola --
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.
