Praying today for prisoners...

Continuing with our prayers for Prisons Week….MONDAY: PRAYING WITH PRISONERS

Spirit of grace and truth, we ask for your constant presence through the days, weeks, months and years of imprisonment. For your steady refusal to be shut out by cell walls, steel doors or reluctant and stubborn hearts. Break through the fear and isolation, shatter all pretence and deceit, guide our thoughts and actions, setting before us the example of Jesus the prisoner. Bring us face to face with the unlimited and sacrificial love of God for all his children, so that we can know we are not alone.

United in prayer, we bow our heads to say together, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

[From Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)]

(photo courtesy of Marco Chilese at Unsplash)

Prison week is supported by:

Prison Sunday - United in lockdown

Today is Prison Sunday. There will be lots of activities and events taking place today. For example, our very own Rev Bob Wilson (Secretary for Prison Chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser) will be leading an act of worship which will be on National Prison Radio - this will be broadcast into thousands of prison cells today. Prison Sunday also marks the start of a week of prayer hosted by Prisons Week.

We are invited in, from our churches and homes.. wherever we are today.. to pray now and throughout the week ahead. The powerful materials and film which has been made to support the week of prayer can be found here. As we pray together throughout the coming days ahead, we will be invited to share the Lord’s prayer at the close of each prayer offered, as an act of solidarity and unity.

The theme this year is United in Lockdown.

Let us pray…

THE PRISONS WEEK PRAYER

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.

You can download the flyer for the week ahead and pray with us throughout the coming days…

(photo courtesy of Jordan McQueen at Unsplash)

Pray for Schools

For many years, the Free Churches Group has been active members of the Pray for Schools network. It is wonderful to be part of such an amazing body of faithful praying people.

There are all sorts of resources, events, prayer diaries and further information on how to pray for schools below.

And watch this space - Pray Day is coming up next month - 17th November

(photo courtesy of Fa Barboza at Unsplash)

United in lockdown

United in lockdown - this is the theme for the week of prayer hosted by Prisons Week (11th -17th October).

Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, Church of England Bishop for Women’s Prisons writes, “Prisoners know all about lockdown in ways which are far starker than the ‘stay at home’ experience people have lived during the viral pandemic. However, beyond the walls of prison people of all ages have had to learn how to navigate uncertainty and many people feel fearful, bewildered and out of control. In past months there was a loss of freedom to be with loved ones, even when at the point of death. For some people there has been overwhelming pain and sadness. Some people have felt lonely and isolated whilst others have longed for space away from other people. All of this is experienced within the walls of prisons 365 days a year.”

You can get involved and download the poster and prayer sheet here. There is also a deeply moving film which has been made for sharing and marking this week of prayer - You are not alone.

Rt Revd Rachel Treweek goes on to say, “This Prisons Week as we pray for all those connected with the criminal justice system in any way, including all prison staff and families of prisoners as well as prisoners themselves, let us not talk of social distancing but rather of physical distancing. Let us pray for social connection and restored relationship and an openness to the generous love of God who longs to draw close to every individual person, treasured and known by name. We pray that amid both places of brokenness and beauty there might be a discovery of inner freedom and peace which is rooted in the love, hope and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ and present through the power of the Holy Spirit, never locked down.”

(photo courtesy of Paul Garaizar at Unsplash)

Hope in a Crisis... a free booklet

Vivienne Manley, a Specialist Maternity Services & Palliative Care Services Chaplain, has shared a booklet (recently updated) entitled Hope in a Crisis, with our Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy, Revd Meg Burton.

The booklet has been carefully put together and sensitively written; it has already been a great comfort to many.

Concerning the booklet, Revd Ian Inglis (a hospital chaplain) writes: “It’s such a beautifully presented booklet and [healthcare] staff have found it a joy and inspiration, even when they personally haven’t lost someone, but they are coping with the pain, suffering and loss of patients on the wards so much.  I suspect that some have also found the booklets helpful when we have lost staff members as well.”

We are grateful to Vivienne for sharing this resource with us. Please feel free to share this booklet and may it be a comfort to those it reaches.

(photo courtesy of John Towner at Unsplash)