United in lockdown

United in lockdown - this is the theme for the week of prayer hosted by Prisons Week (11th -17th October).

Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, Church of England Bishop for Women’s Prisons writes, “Prisoners know all about lockdown in ways which are far starker than the ‘stay at home’ experience people have lived during the viral pandemic. However, beyond the walls of prison people of all ages have had to learn how to navigate uncertainty and many people feel fearful, bewildered and out of control. In past months there was a loss of freedom to be with loved ones, even when at the point of death. For some people there has been overwhelming pain and sadness. Some people have felt lonely and isolated whilst others have longed for space away from other people. All of this is experienced within the walls of prisons 365 days a year.”

You can get involved and download the poster and prayer sheet here. There is also a deeply moving film which has been made for sharing and marking this week of prayer - You are not alone.

Rt Revd Rachel Treweek goes on to say, “This Prisons Week as we pray for all those connected with the criminal justice system in any way, including all prison staff and families of prisoners as well as prisoners themselves, let us not talk of social distancing but rather of physical distancing. Let us pray for social connection and restored relationship and an openness to the generous love of God who longs to draw close to every individual person, treasured and known by name. We pray that amid both places of brokenness and beauty there might be a discovery of inner freedom and peace which is rooted in the love, hope and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ and present through the power of the Holy Spirit, never locked down.”

(photo courtesy of Paul Garaizar at Unsplash)

You are not alone... launch of the resources to support Prisons Week

You are not alone. This is the title of a poignant film made for the Week of Prayer for Prisons, as part of Prisons Week this year - this special week of prayer has the theme of United in Lockdown.

Prisons Sunday – the second Sunday in October – marks the beginning of the week of prayer each year, running through until the following Saturday. This year the week will run from 11th - 17th October.

Please feel free to share the links to the film and the prayers (which also includes a poster format for display) in your churches, homes and communities.

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For forty years now, Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature to enable the Christian community, through individuals and churches, 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.

Prisons Week raises awareness and generates prayer. It motivates volunteers to step forward and give their time and gifts, in prisons and in their own communities. It provides an annual focus and reason for Christians to work together, building capacity and motivation to make a difference for people who are out of sight and often out of mind.

(photo courtesy of Tom Allport at Unsplash)

Giving thanks for God's faithfulness!

One of the simplest and best ways I have found in these strange days to stay steady and on track has been to count my blessings, however sad I have felt, and to give thanks to our merciful loving God for his grace and wisdom. How have you stayed steady? What daily practices of prayer and reflection have helped you?

On this, the final day of September, we join with Christians across the UK with a prayer from Prison Fellowship… simple, powerful, eternal…

Let us pray….

As we look back over the past month and forward to the next one, we remember God’s faithfulness and we trust in His goodness for our lives, our work and for every person we interact with in prison.

Amen

The October prayer diary will be out soon - join us as we pray through the days on the coming month…

“The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Isaiah 30:18

(photo courtesy of Ben White at Unsplash)

Praying for families of those in prison who cannot meet due to the pandemic...

The Free Churches Group and our work in prison chaplaincy have worked with The Prison Fellowship (PF) for many years. 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. In recent months, we are all too aware of how the pandemic has affected how we are able to meet and from the work we do in prisons, we very conscious of the families who have had even more restrictions on meeting, due to a relative being in prison.

The prayer for this coming Sunday 27th Sept is:

Pray for those children and parents who are still unable to visit, because of Covid-19 or other restrictions. May God protect their relationship despite the challenge, and may they know they are held in his loving arms.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer…

Amen

“The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Isaiah 30:18

You can find out more about the work of Prison Fellowship here and download this month’s prayer diary here! The new one for October will be out soon!

(photo courtesy of Nijwam Swargiary at Unsplash)

Prison Fellowship - prayer line...

Earlier in the summer the Prison Fellowship launched an exciting new project called Prayer Line.

Prayer Line allows anyone in prison to call a free number and leave a confidential message with their personal prayer request. Prison Fellowship’s team of volunteers are committed to pray for each person that calls on that day and across the following month.  It is as simple as that, and there are no catches!

“Some of the most fervent prayers are said from prison cells,” says Ven. James Ridge, Chaplain General at HMPPS. “For over 40 years Prison Fellowship has enabled countless prisoners to know that someone is sharing in those prayers. This new initiative enables a more active and immediate participation – prisoners can know that their concerns are being shared safely and confidentially by faithful, prayerful Christians.

This is a wonderful facility which will help to remind prisoners that they are loved by God and that His Church is praying with them and for them.”

Prayer for today from the Prayer Line - pray with us, the Prison Fellowship and partners …

Prayer Line request: E is feeling down and would value prayer. She has an appeal in place and a court date soon. She just wants to get back to her three children and her partner.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Amen

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Will you join us to pray alongside Prison Fellowship today and in the days to come?

Download this month’s prayer diary…

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“The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Isaiah 30:18

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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.

(image courtesy of Miryam León at Unsplash)