Hebrews 13:3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.
The writer of Hebrews finishes his letter with some instructions on how to live. He gives instructions and reasons for the instructions. Examples are Hebrews 13:1-2 Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Then in our text today He says to remember the prisoners as though (we) are in prison with them.
Living in a country with religious freedom, it is easy to forget those all around the world who suffer persecution for sharing their faith. However, we are instructed to remember them as if we are in prison with them. If you were in a prison in China or Nigeria, just for sharing Jesus don't you think you would be praying without ceasing not only for yourself but also for others who are doing the same? If you were in prison in Afghanistan for the faith and knew your family was being threatened day in and day out, don't you think you would be praying for them without ceasing? If you were in hiding out in India in a prison of fear because you had watched your wife be tortured for her faith don't you think you would be praying without ceasing? If you were in the United States of America and knew that Jesus saves but your family member was confined in a prison of sin and lostness don't you think you ought to be praying for them without ceasing? Yet living in the freedom and liberty of Christ we forget in our comfort to pray for them even on occasion. Other times we don't know how to pray. If we listen to our text today we will realize that if we place ourselves in that prison alongside them then we will start to beg with the grieving of the Spirit, to God. Then and only then are we praying for them correctly. There is one last point from this verse. Do not forget that your flesh, attempts daily to put you in bondage to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Pray daily that you will remember that those who Christ sets free are free indeed.
Put yourself alongside the free in Christ who are bound in the prison of this world and pray for them. Put yourself alongside those who are not free in Christ and pray for them as if you are in bondage. This is your instruction from God in our text today.
Love Bro. Scott