Aubrey Lee Price – from the pulpit to prison to powerful prayer

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Prison razor wire allows inmates time to focus on the deeper issues in life. For Aubrey Lee Price, it meant focusing on his relationship with Christ and seeking out opportunities to share that relationship with other inmates. His book now details that spiritual journey. JOE WESTBURY/Index[/caption]

ATLANTA — Aubrey Lee Price’s life is a story of tragedy and triumph. Georgia Baptist state missionary Robert Anderson remembers Price as a friend and fellow church staff member.

Anderson recalls, “He was one of the most committed youth ministers I have ever known. I was very impressed with his love for the Lord and for the people we were serving. Therefore, he was a strong witness to those who did not know Christ as well as those who professed to know Christ.”

Price served God as a pastor of three different churches over a period of 16 years. He was a faithful Christian and respected by his wife, four children, and congregations. He mentored young congregants, led mission trips to South America, and preached the Gospel with power.

In 2008 Price established his own investment business and enjoyed much success. He achieved a measure of wealth that almost anyone would enjoy, but in the end it was wealth at the expense of the investors he was supposedly trying to help.

A fall from fame, but not from grace

Without going into detail and giving the devil too much credit, Lee Price left his family in disgrace, faked his own death in hopes of escaping the consequences of his crime, was eventually caught by the police, arrested, and convicted of operating an investment business that resulted in millions of dollars of losses to dozens of Price’s investors and the collapse of a federally insured bank. He is now serving a 30-year sentence for his crime.

Anderson has continued to befriend and pray for Price and added, “Prison has been very difficult for Lee as you can imagine. However, with the encouragement of his wife, children, greater family, and friends, plus much prayer, he is blossoming into a strong witness for Jesus Christ in prison.

“God does not cause everything that happens, but He certainly permits it. Therefore, he has a purpose in whatever occurs to us in life.

Anderson concluded, “Lee is on a tough mission field, leading the hopeless and the helpless to the hope and help our Lord gives to all who will practice Proverbs 3:5-6. He is finding and fulfilling his purpose of bringing glory to God in a very difficult place."

From prison Aubrey Lee Price has written a book – an excellent book – Prayers by a Prisoner for Peace, Healing and Hope.

He begins his book by stating, “I want to explain that I am a fellow struggler in Christ. My flaws and mistakes are obvious, and I say along with the apostle Paul that I am the chief of all sinners."

Good news found among darkness

“Just because I am a Christian does not mean I am without troubles, pain, and suffering," he continues. "We, who have served time or are serving time in prison, know the affliction and darkness we experience in prison. We have been through the inhumane, harsh, and brutal process of eternal condemnation. We are alienated, isolated, and despised by society. Our names have become reproach.

“The odds of any kind of comeback are stacked against us. The world looks upon us a pariah and with contempt. Many of us are rejected and forsaken and wrestle with feelings of deep loneliness, abandonment, and overwhelming regret. We wonder if there is any hope.

“The good news for us is that Jesus gave dignity back to the despised. Others may look at us with scorn, but Jesus makes us human again. Here is the bottom line: God knows everything about us – every hidden sin. He knows every thought we’ve had, every step that we’ve taken, and every word we’ve spoken. He knows the intentions of our hearts. He knows all the things we’ve seen and done that make us want to run, hide, and even die – and yet He loves us.”

Finding peace, healing, and hope

In his book Price shares his testimony of the trials, fears, anxieties, depression, and challenges of life in prison and how through prayer he found peace, healing, and hope.

He also shares stories about fellow inmates he has met in prison and how tragically they were duped by the devil and how many of them have been encouraged and strengthened by prayer and the love of Christ.

I only knew Price through the comments and stories of others who have known him personally, but having read the book I feel like I know him first-hand. His book is so transparent and honest I feel I have walked with him from the blessedness of God’s call to the depths of Satan’s deceit and allurements, from the pinnacle of success to the prison of despair and failure.

Prayers of a Prisoner is a great book. One of Price’s fellow prisoners stated, “After reading this book I am motivated to pray like never before in my life. I have a brand new understanding of what a relationship with the Source of all life looks like.”

Where the next Great Awakening could start?

Not all prisoners are in some kind of correctional facility. You may be a prisoner, shackled by your own sins, crimes, and misdemeanors and free to roam about this world, but inside you know your spirit is not free. You are burdened by guilt and imprisoned by your own transgressions. This book should be read by every prisoner whether incarcerated in some penal institution or fettered by a condemning conscience.

After reading this book you may be led to believe, as I was, that the next great awakening might not begin in a church, but in a prison.

Prayers by a Prisoner: for Peace, Healing and Hope is available on www.amazon.com for $9.99.

Aubrey Lee Price, prison