Praying alongside the Prison Fellowship... for those struggling with their mental health

Will you join us to pray alongside Prison Fellowship this Sunday and in the days ahead?

Prison Fellowship’s mission is to “show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them”… for the last 40 years they have been working with, supporting and praying with and for prisoners across England and Wales.

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years.

This Sunday we are encouraged to pray with Prison Fellowship for all of those who are struggling with mental health issues… this is a particularly challenging and difficult time for many prisoners… so in the healing name of Jesus, we pray…

Prayer for Sunday 16th August

We pray for those inside whose mental health is negatively impacted by the lockdown.

May they know God’s peace and hope, and find the support they need to heal and thrive.

Amen

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers…

Find out more about their work HERE. You can read and pray through their August Prayer Diary HERE.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

(photo courtesy of Marquise Kamanke at Unsplash)

Global Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry coming up on 25th August - join us

There will be a Global Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry on 25th August.

For the last 12 years the IPCA Steering Committee has invited all those involved in prison ministry around the world to come together in a special day of prayer on 25 August, the birthday of IPCA. Each year one of the regions prepare the prayer day program. Here’s the link to liturgy resources for the Global Day of Prayer for Prison Ministry in a variety of different languages. You are encouraged to share the resources among your colleagues and church networks. The theme for this year is: the Grace of God

Please encourage your church fellowships to get involved by praying in your homes or by safely physically distanced in your churches (as appropriate). Join with the Free Churches Group and many other ecumenical partners across the globe for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

The Free Churches Faith Adviser to the Prison Service, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair to the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

IPCA’s mission is: Uniting, encouraging and equipping... a global network of prison chaplains as they share God’s love and restoring justice.

(image courtesy of IPCA website)

Ready, steady, pray... for prison chaplains across the world!

The Free Churches Faith Adviser to the Prison Service, Revd Bob Wilson, serves as the Vice Chair to the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA). We are invited by Rev Bob and all the the members of the IPCA network to join in a global wave of prayer for the work and ministry of the IPCA!

A day of prayer is taking place for prison chaplains across the world on 25th August 2020. Please encourage your church fellowships to get involved by praying in your homes or by safely physically distancing in your churches (as appropriate).

Join with the Free Churches Group and many other ecumenical partners across the globe for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).

The theme for this year is: The Grace of God

The IPCA has produced an order of service, complete with readings from Scripture and prayers for you to share and pray through.

Join us as we pray together… you can download the prayer and worship resource HERE

(photo courtesy of Mike Labrum at Unsplash)

Loving God, we thank You that Your church extends beyond walls and fences...

Many years ago, while I was training for Christian ministry with the Congregational Federation (who are members of FCG) I had the honour of serving alongside a prison chaplaincy team at HMP Leyhill.

The module in which I was able to undertake this amazing placement was called - Serving God - beyond the church walls. It was one of the most remarkable and grace filled parts of my training and continues to inform and inspire my ministry to this day! Loving God, we thank You that Your church extends beyond walls and fences...

This week we see that the prayers we are encouraged to join with Prison Fellowship for are all about how the church extends beyond walls and how God gives us the opportunity to serve beyond the church building.

Revd Sara Iles, FCG Media Support Officer

Prison Fellowship Prayers for Sunday 26th July

God, your church extends beyond walls and fences, encompassing all who trust Jesus as their Saviour.

Thank you that we are united with our brothers and sisters in prison.

Amen

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years. Find out more about their work HERE. You can read and pray through their July Prayer Diary HERE. August’s prayer diary will be out soon!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:8

(photo courtesy of Lauriane Sevestre at Unsplash)

Free webinar - racial justice / criminal justice - what can your church do?

A free webinar is coming up on 22nd September from 6.30-8pm

It will be on the theme of racial justice / criminal justice and exploring what your church can do in light of these matters.

Key note speakers include:

Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Vanessa Jardine, Deputy Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.

To register for this event please see link HERE.