Perpetua: Her Prison Became Her Palace
This is an electronic version of our Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin inserts.
These are designed to present Christian biographies for Children's church, educational or worship ministries. A young woman named Perpetua stood firm in her faith in the year
AD 203 in Carthage, North Africa. Because she kept a diary, we know much
about her ordeal. This story is based on her diary.
 Perpetua
and Felicitas boldly faced death rather than deny Christ.
"I Am a Christian"
It was simple, really. All I had to do to get out of prison was to offer
a small sacrifice of incense to the pagan gods. Just a pinch of incense
to honor the emperor Septimus and I would walk free. My father insisted
that something this small should be easy for me to do. Why was I being
so stubborn?
"Father, do you see this pitcher?" I asked as I pointed to the water
pitcher on the table.
"I see it," he replied.
"Can it become a dog?"
"Of course not!" he exclaimed, looking at me as if my arrest had scrambled
my brains. "It is a pitcher!"
"You're right. It cannot become something it is not, and it is ridiculous
for me to call it something else. So it is with me, Father. I am a Christian
and cannot be called anything other than what I am. A Christian."
At this, my father's temper rose and he stormed from the prison cell
in a fury. Once again, my convictions just didn't make sense to him.
Obedience
Deep anguish pierced my heart as I sank down to the hard stone floor.
How could I cause my dear father so much pain? I thought of how well he
treated me over the years. Beautiful robes of the finest silk, expensive
jewels to adorn my hair, and the choicest delicacies were all mine. My
well-to-do father would spare no expense when it came to his only daughter.
Of course, Father expected obedience in return. All good Roman girls
were taught to obey, and I was no exception. Disobedience simply wasn't
an option. I had been taught to be loyal at all costs, and until now I
had always done what was expected. It was easy to do since I adored him
so. But now my heart ached, for I had no choice but to go against my father's
command.
You see, my loyalty to my father was very strong, but even stronger
was my loyalty to my Lord and Savior. I had recently learned that Jesus
died for my sins, and I had committed my life fully to Him. Love for Jesus
filled my soul, and joy filled my heart. It wasn't long, however, before
the authorities learned of my faith. They came in the evening and pulled
me and my servant girl, Felicitas, also a Christian, out into the street.
We were paraded in shame down the streets of Carthage to the prison.
Dungeon or Palace?
"Felicitas! Come sit here on this bit of straw and rest for a while,"
I said.
"Oh, Lady Perpetua! It's so odd for you to be fussing over me!"
"Felicitas, please don't call me that anymore! In Christ we are all equal.
You are no longer my slave, but rather you are my sister and dear friend!
Come now, you must get plenty of rest for the sake of your unborn baby."
 The
dark dungeon prison was a far cry from my comfortable Roman-style home.
The heat and stench were nearly unbearable. Hunger overtook my body, but
God sustained me and the other prisoners who were Christians. We cried
out to God for relief, and took great comfort in prayer and song and in
speaking God's Word. God even gave us visions and dreams that encouraged
us in our journey. True relief came my way one special day.
The day they allowed my infant son to come and stay with me, I felt the
prison had suddenly become like a palace! I no longer minded the horrible
smell or the oppressive heat -- I had my sweet little baby to hold and
to care for. I fed him and held him and sang to him our songs of faith.
Night and day I prayed for him, trusting God for his future.
Find out how Perpetua went to Jesus in part 2
of this "Glimpses for Kids" children's worship bulletin insert.
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