Mathilda, the prisoners’ friend - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.Remember the prisoners as if chained with them.
John 3:16; Hebrews 13:3

Mathilda, the prisoners' friend
Mathilda Wrede was born in Finland in 1864, the eleventh child of the family. Her mother died when she was only eight months old. Brought up by her grandmother and her aunt, she grew up on the estate of her father, the governor of the province. There the inmates of the neighbouring prison were often employed as servants.

She enjoyed watching the blacksmith at work. But one day she found him fixing chains to a prisoner's ankles. She was upset to see the look of hatred on the man's face for his warder. It was for ever impressed on her heart.

The child became a lively young lady, but the easy life she led did not satisfy her. One day she gave her heart to Jesus after hearing a preacher. Later, when she was about nineteen, she again met a prisoner repairing the lock on her door. She couldn't refrain from telling him about her experience. The man listened and said when he left: "If only you could speak to us about this! We have so little to hope for!" Mathilda promised at once to come on the following Sunday. That was the start of the vocation of the person who became known as "the light of Finland's prisons". During a whole life of devotion and faith she visited prisons untiringly to speak of the goodness of her Saviour. Men and women deprived of their freedom could come to know God's great love.

(to be concluded tomorrow)

Today's reading: Judges 12:1-15 · 2 Corinthians 11:16-21