Hope... pray with us in Prisons Week

Prisons Week prayer for Friday 15th October

HOPE
”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Let us pray… Dear God, I hear your kind words of comfort and reassurance that you want me to prosper and not be harmed. Help me not to worry about my life, but to put my trust in you, to be happy and full of hope, love and gratitude.

Amen

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To watch the thought-provoking and hope-filled film, Consider the Ravens,

made for Prisons Week this year:

”I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.” Ezekiel 36:25 - pray with us during Prisons Week

Prisons Week prayer for Thursday 14th October.

LETTING GOD

”I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.” Ezekiel 36:25

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, I lift all those in prison today, no life is beyond your reach. Come to those who don’t know you and cause them to start seeking you. Thank you for those who do know you, in whom your heart resides; as they go through this day and cross paths with others, cause them to stop and listen, and show your great love to those they encounter. May we all make time for the lost and hurting today.

Amen

(cover photo by mrjn Photography at Unsplash)

A prayer for letting go and letting God heal and restore... during Prisons Week

Let us walk together through the week in prayer, in Prisons Week, 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.

A heartfelt and faithful prayer and reflections from a prisoner… all about letting go and letting God heal and restore….

LETTING GO
”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

I was down and thinking of behaviours before I decided to let go, let God heal and restore. I’d done drugs, sex and violence in the past to cope. But they all left me empty , and no feeling of hope. When I read through the scripture, something happens in me - I want to do good things and be with God’s family. You can’t change the past, but the future you can. If you’re looking for hope, then God has a plan.

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To join in a 24 hour wave of prayer with a session hosted by Revd Bob Wilson

on 15th October from 7-8pm register HERE.

(cover photo courtesy of Steve Halama @ Unsplash)

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

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)