Seeking forgiveness, making amends...

Seeking forgiveness and making amends for the wrongdoings in our pasts are vital to be able to live well and flourish in our days ahead. We all know the feeling of being weighed down by things that we have done wrong and how these acts burden us. For those in prison, this can be a complex and challenging journey to wholeness. Prison Fellowship invite us to pray and would like to encourage us to pray for this Saturday, for people in prison.

Living God,

we pray for all people in prison who are coming to terms with

the impact of their offence.

Help them to seek forgiveness and make amends.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen

You can read more about the important work of Prison Fellowship HERE.

“Pray continually ”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

(photo courtesy of Karsten Winegeart at Unsplash)

Praying for National Prison Radio this Sunday

Prison Fellowship has put together a service on National Prison Radio which will be broadcast on the morning of 18th April.

This Sunday the service shared will be exploring Luke 24:35-48 which tells us of Jesus appearing to the disciples… I have shared this passage below, so perhaps in a quiet moment later, you could read and reflect on these verses and pray your blessing on all who hear these words on Sunday from their prison cells.

Let us pray that those in our prisons would find peace and encouragement as they listen to the service.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers,

Amen

This prayer is from the Prison Fellowship prayer diary for April.

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish,  and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

— Jesus appears to the disciples, Luke 24:36-48

(photo courtesy of Gene Jeter at Unsplash)

Praying with Prison Fellowship this Sunday for those who are missing loved ones...

Join with us throughout the whole of April as we pray alongside our friends at Prison Fellowship

Here is a prayer for Sunday 11th April:

Let us pray

After a very difficult year, please pray for the families of people in prison who have limited opportunities to visit their loved ones.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers,

Amen

“Don’t be alarmed, he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

— Mark 16:6, NIV

(cover photo courtesy of Shane @ Unsplash)

Revd Bob Wilson, Free Churches Faith Adviser, invites us to a prayer vigil tomorrow...

Revd Bob invites us…. to join in a prayer vigil on Holy Saturday, 3rd April.

“I’d love to encourage you to join us this Saturday to pray for everyone who’s been affected by imprisonment…. it’s been a really tough year for so many of us, but it has been particularly tough for those in prison…”

— says Revd Bob

Register for this landmark event of prayer and care

The aim of the prayer vigil is to let the men and women in custody and all prison staff know that they are not forgotten and we are remembering them at this time. Every prayer counts.... says Revd Bob

Be part of something epic... 24 hours of prayer for prisons on Holy Saturday

Want to be part of something epic? Then why not take some time on Holy Saturday (3rd April) to join with hundreds of others in praying for our prisons?! 24 hours of prayer, through the day and night.

“The aim of the prayer vigil is to let the men and women in custody and
all prison staff know that they are not forgotten
and we are remembering them at this time.”

— says Rev Bob Wilson, Free Churches Group

Prisons Prayer Partnership is a network of Christian organisations and charities who have a heart for prayer and really care about those serving time and prison staff. They are hosting this unique event and you can take part too! It is a free event but you need to register - use link HERE

They have worked hard with all their partners to produce an inspiring and thought-provoking range of short films which you can watch here. Here is our very own Rev Bob Wilson sharing his thoughts on the event….

Register for this epic event here:

Every prayer counts!

(cover photo courtesy of Valerie Sigamani @ Unsplash)