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

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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)

Let us pray... during Prisons Week

Join with us and with hundreds of others across the country, during the week ahead, for a time of prayer for Prisons Week.

(cover photo courtesy of Jack Sharp @ Unsplash)

Praying through Prisons Week together

Praying together 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. 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. Here is the prayer we share and pray on Sunday 10th October:

GRIEF

“My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?”Psalm 22:1

Praying… They don’t see me Lord, but you do. They do not hear me, but you do. My mental health is waning, my despair increasing, I feel like no-one cares, but you do. I hold onto your every word of the Bible, as they renew my mind. I praise you Lord! Have mercy on my soul! Grant me favour with the officers, with the courts and with probation. Bless my family members and keep them safe, until we meet again. God, you are wonderful! Thank you for those who visit me when I am lonely. Amen

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For over forty years Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature for the Christian community to use as they pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and victims, their families, their communities, those working and volunteering in prisons and the criminal justice system. Please pray each day during Prisons Week but also ask yourself whether there is one thing that you as an individual, or as a church, can do to help any of the people that you are praying for.

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)