A heartwarming surveillance video from Genesee County Jail in Michigan captured a tender moment on Christmas Eve 2025 in which over a dozen inmates spontaneously gathered in a pod, joined hands in a circle, and quietly recited the Lord’s Prayer together without prompting.
Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson highlighted the act as a sign of “unity and hope,” noting it contributes to safer communities and breaks cycles of incarceration. The video, shared by the Sheriff’s Office and Fox News, highlights a positive culture change within the facility.
Reacting to the unprecedented video, Sheriff Swanson took to Facebook. “I’ve NEVER posted a jail surveillance video like this one. Last night on Christmas Eve, inmates on one of the biggest pods came together on their own. No direction. No prompting. They joined hands and quietly recited the Lord’s Prayer,” he noted.
“In a place that’s often defined by mistakes and consequences, I saw unity and hope. I saw people choosing something better for themselves and for each other. When this happens, communities are safer and generational incarceration is broken,” Swanson added.
Wrapping up his hopeful statement, the Sheriff said, “This is what real culture change looks like and it doesn’t happen overnight. Please join me in thanking the entire jail staff for being a part of the culture change. It matters! Merry Christmas!”
In the clip, the assembled men can be seen performing a move in the jail, linking hands in their orange jumpsuits. Those men can be heard reciting a passage from the Book of Mathew which states, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”
Continuing, the inmates said, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
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This is not the only prayer that recently made the news. As we reported at the American Tribune, during ESPN’s Cotton Bowl broadcast, Fred McClure led an on-field prayer after a moment of silence for victims of wildfires and the New Orleans attack.
Starting his pre-game prayer, McClure began, “Loving father, we seek your blessings today for all those gathered here and especially for those on the field as we come together to celebrate the 89th Cotton Bowl Classic, we lift up the young men representing the Ohio State Buckeyes and the the Texas Longhorns. Keep them safe from injury and harm. Instill within them a deep respect for one another, and reward them or their perseverance.”
Watch the clip here:
Concluding his remarks, he stated, “We are grateful for the freedom and the privilege that we have in this nation to compete and connect through sports. Yet we are mindful of those who are unable to participate due to violence, poverty or discrimination. Lord, stir our hearts to tear down these barriers by striving to give our best, treating others with dignity and respect, and reflecting your grace and kindness in all that we do. Now receive all your glory, your power and your honor forever, amen!”
Featured image from embedded video