A prayer for letting go and letting God heal and restore... during Prisons Week

Let us walk together through the week in prayer, in Prisons Week, and grow in our understanding of the value God places on each one of his children, so that like the ravens we may soar, free at last, trusting in the knowledge of his provision and love for us.

A heartfelt and faithful prayer and reflections from a prisoner… all about letting go and letting God heal and restore….

LETTING GO
”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

I was down and thinking of behaviours before I decided to let go, let God heal and restore. I’d done drugs, sex and violence in the past to cope. But they all left me empty , and no feeling of hope. When I read through the scripture, something happens in me - I want to do good things and be with God’s family. You can’t change the past, but the future you can. If you’re looking for hope, then God has a plan.

—-

To join in a 24 hour wave of prayer with a session hosted by Revd Bob Wilson

on 15th October from 7-8pm register HERE.

(cover photo courtesy of Steve Halama @ Unsplash)

"Every day I pray for the strength to continue to live through this pain..." Praying in Prisons Week

Please pray with us each day during Prisons Week, these prayers offered by chaplains, serving prisoners, police officers, victims of crime, prison leavers, family members and communities – crying out to God, asking for help, responding in faith, giving thanks for his unending love, grace and mercy. Prayer for Tuesday 12th October, as part of a week of prayer for Prisons Week

ACCEPTANCE

”All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and

following its desires and thoughts.” Ephesians 2:3

Let us pray.

Every day I pray for the strength to continue to live through this pain, the pain of separation from my beloved, the strength to hold my children safe as they struggle to comprehend what has happened to us. I pray for the signs to guide our family through this experience with love and compassion, so that we all grow and flourish with the wisdom that is part of the Divine plan that holds us all safe. I pray that I will understand how to use this experience for good and transform the pain to joy in the future, I pray to let go of distress and find acceptance in the peace that miracles will replace all grievances, for therein lies the peace of God.

Amen

—-

To find out more about the vital work of Prisons Week and how to join in the week of prayer alongside them:

(Cover photo by Camila Quintero Franco at Unsplash)

Praying for prison chaplains during Prisons Week

Prayer for Monday 11th October - day 2 of Prisons Week

GETTING HELP
”The King will reply ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,

you did for me’. Matthew 25:40

Let us pray. Father God, thank you for the work of all Prison Chaplains. During this past year many have gone well beyond what had been expected of them. Sustain and strengthen them, bless their families and may they be encouraged in their service to you. In the name of Jesus our saviour.

Amen

—

A bit more about this year’s Prisons Week theme and content:

“Respair” is an Old English word which fell out of use many centuries ago but means “the return of hope after a period of despair”. The prayer tradition of lament helps us to make that journey from a dark place of pain, suffering, fear or sorrow to somewhere that the light can get in. Maybe only through a tiny crack to begin with but bringing a gradual dawning of hope and sense of God’s promise, that we are loved and will never be abandoned or alone. No matter how messy and difficult life becomes, God is never distant and longs for us to let him in.Please pray with us each day during Prisons Week, these prayers offered by chaplains, serving prisoners, police officers, victims of crime, prison leavers, family members and communities – crying out to God, asking for help, responding in faith, giving thanks for his unending love, grace and mercy. Let us walk together through the week in prayer and grow in our understanding of the value God places on each one of his children, so that like the ravens we may soar, free at last, trusting in the knowledge of his provision and love for us.

(cover photo courtesy of Jeremy Perkins at Unsplash)

Prisons Week - 10th to 16th October - join us in prayer!

You are invited by Revd Bob Wilson, Secretary for Prisons Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser, to join with churches and groups across the country, for a week of prayer for prisons from October 10th to 16th.

This year the theme for Prisons Week is inspired by Jesus’s words in Luke’s Gospel: “Consider the ravens…” You can access the prayers and other thought-provoking resources HERE.

Join us to pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system and the many people who are involved in caring for those affected by crime on the inside and outside of our prisons.

Written by Louise Alexandra Erskine and performed by award-winning spoken word artist Poetess Jess, this year’s filmcalls us to consider the ravens, to remember who we are and where we belong. Please share and use in your homes, churches and small groups, wherever you are. Conceived, directed and produced by Spread Creative.

“If prayer truly works, if our weak human rambling to God actually changes things, then we must call believing people to pray, and together we must pray for change where change is needed most.”

— say Prisons Week

Join Revd Bob Wilson & others in 24 hour wave of prayer during Prisons Week - 15th October 7pm

An opportunity during Prisons Week to spend an hour in prayer with others, praying for justice, compassion and restoration with friends and colleagues from across our Free Churches Group network!

Revd Bob Wilson, Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser invites you to join in a wave of prayer for our prisons… the prayer event runs throughout the day and Bob is hosting the prayer time on Friday 15th October at 7pm - all are welcome, registration is required.

(cover photo courtesy of Dev Benjamin at Unsplash)