Prisons

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"Every day I pray for the strength to continue to live through this pain..." Praying in Prisons Week

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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. Prayer for Tuesday 12th October, as part of a week of prayer for Prisons Week

ACCEPTANCE


”All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and

following its desires and thoughts.” Ephesians 2:3

Let us pray.

Every day I pray for the strength to continue to live through this pain, the pain of separation from my beloved, the strength to hold my children safe as they struggle to comprehend what has happened to us. I pray for the signs to guide our family through this experience with love and compassion, so that we all grow and flourish with the wisdom that is part of the Divine plan that holds us all safe. I pray that I will understand how to use this experience for good and transform the pain to joy in the future, I pray to let go of distress and find acceptance in the peace that miracles will replace all grievances, for therein lies the peace of God.

Amen

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To find out more about the vital work of Prisons Week and how to join in the week of prayer alongside them:

(Cover photo by Camila Quintero Franco at Unsplash)

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Praying for prison chaplains during Prisons Week

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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)

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.


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Prisons Week - 10th to 16th October - join us in prayer!

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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