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

The President of one of our member churches leads prayers for Prisons Sunday

Revd Suzanne Nockels, who is serving as President of the Congregational Federation this year, leads a time of prayer and devotion to mark Prisoners’ Sunday and the start of Prisons Week. Revd Nockels is a Congregational Federation minister, who currently serves as a church minister in Sheffield and as a hospital chaplain. (These prayers have been shared from a regular time of prayer on Friday lunchtimes, led by members / pastors of Congregational Federation churches.) Please feel free to share with your church fellowship and across your network. Let us pray…

To learn more about Prisons Sunday and Prisons Week and to join us in prayer over the next week, click HERE. Prisons Week aims to encourage prayer and awareness of the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prisons staff and all those who care, reflected in the Prisons Week Prayer offered throughout the week:

Lord, you offer freedom to all people.
We pray for those in prison.
Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist.
Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends,
prison staff and all who care.
Heal those who have been wounded by the activities
of others, especially the victims of crime.
Help us to forgive one another.
To act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ
in His strength and in His Spirit, now and every day.

Amen.

(cover photo courtesy of Milada Vigerova at Unsplash)

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)

Revd Bob Wilson invites you to join together in prayer for Prisons Week

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.

“Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and in his Spirit, now and every day. Amen. ”

— THE PRISONS WEEK PRAYER

“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.” (Prisons Week team)

Revd Bob Wilson with Free Churches Group - honoured to be one of the sponsors of Prisons Week

(cover photo courtesy of Amaury Gutierrez at Unsplash)

Prisons Week Panel: 12th October 2021 7-8.30pm online panel discussion on theme of 'Respair': the return of hope after a period of despair

Prisons Week Panel

You are invited to be part of a fascinating online panel discussion based on the theme of Respair – the return of hope after a period of despair, on Tuesday 12th October 2021, 7pm – 8.30pm

The evening will be chaired by Rt Rev’d Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester and Bishop to Prisons, reflecting on the theme of Respair over the last 18 months, in the personal and professional roles of panellists. The panellists are: Lyn Brown MP, Shadow Minister for Prisons and Probation, Kashmir Garton, Head of Faith, National Probation Service, HMPPS, Rev’d Lesley Mason, Managing Chaplain HMP Send and John O’Connor from Junction 42, a man who has experienced being both sides of the prison wall.

The panel will explore the challenges and opportunities that remain for all caught up in the criminal justice system and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

(cover photo courtesy of Headway @ Unsplash)