Praying for our prisons

With so many men and women in our prisons wanting to be free from the life of crime in which they feel trapped, there are enormous opportunities for the gospel. And, of course, there are many pastoral needs, too, not only amongst those serving a prison sentence but also within their families.

May we encourage you to pray for our prisons?

Those who wish to pray daily through the month may like to follow the monthly plan below and perhaps also pray specifically for one or two prisons.

 

May 2026

448 1st

for the men and women grieving the loss of custody of their children – and probably feeling guilty for failing them – that they might turn to God for comfort. Pray for the children.
449 2nd

for those for whom this month will be especially painful, triggering, for example, the memory of the loss of a loved one or the loss of contact with a child or family.  
450 3rd

for those vulnerable to self-harming and attempts at suicide, that they will receive the extra support and care needed and will be kept safe.
451 4th

for those who are desperately lonely, without any contact from outside and feeling isolated within the prison. Pray that chaplains, officers and other inmates would make time for them.
452 5th

for those who feel no remorse for the hurt and pain they have caused. Pray that they will begin to recognise the impact of their crimes upon their victims and upon their own families – and will choose to turn away from crime.
453 6th

for those who are at the start of a life, or very lengthy, sentence, that they will cry out to God and find strength, through faith in Jesus, to sustain them through their time in prison.
454 7th

for sex offenders, many of whom are overwhelmed with guilt, that they might come to recognise that they are not beyond God’s forgiveness.
455 8th

for all Christians – staff and volunteers - working in our prisons, that the Lord will enable them to bring glory to God as they serve Him and seek to be ‘salt and light’.
456 9th

for Governors, for wisdom,stamina and emotional strength for all the heavy demands upon them.
457 10th

for chaplains, other staff and volunteers who provide bereavement support; pray for the men and women they will counsel this month.
458 11th

for new officers who have recently started duties on the landings, that they will be alert to the risks they face and will be kept safe.
459 12th

for the recruitment of chaplains to fill current vacancies, especially for wisdom for those with responsibility for the appointments; pray that men and women will respond to the Lord’s calling to serve in our prisons.
460 13th

that the Lord will speak, through His Word, to every person who will be attending a Bible study group today. Pray that lives will be changed.
461 14th

for those preparing messages for chapel services this week, that the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak; pray that the gospel will be proclaimed boldly.
462 15th

give thanks for former prisoners who are now mentoring young people at risk of offending and reoffending. Pray that their work will be effective as those young people turn away from unsociable behaviours. 
463 16th

for men and women recently released and wanting to grow in their faith (or explore faith), that the Lord will lead them to a church which will embrace and support them.
464 17th

for partners, grandparents and others caring for children in the absence of parents in prison.
465 18th

for men and women who are currently mentoring, and supporting, someone recently released.
466 19th

for agencies working to protect children and young people from alcohol and drug abuse.
467 20th

for churches which have a dedicated ministry to ‘ex-offenders’, that they will have sufficient volunteers to give time to mentoring and supporting the men and women referred to them.
468 21st

for children with a parent in prison that, wherever possible and appropriate, they will be able to maintain contact with their parent. Pray for the protection of those children who are at risk of turning to crime themselves.
469 22nd

for believers with a strong faith, that the Lord will sustain them and use them to encourage other Christians and as a witness to other residents and to staff.
470 23rd

for those who have received a serious health diagnosis, that they will receive strong pastoral care and support and turn to the Lord for His comfort.
471 24th

for those who have been rejected by their family or have cut themselves off from their family, that they might receive emotional support. Pray for the Lord’s help to those who are longing to restore their relationships.
472 25th

for the men and women who will be released over the next few weeks, especially those without a family to support them, that they will get suitable accommodation and support from agencies.
473 26th

for believers who have ‘backslidden’, that there will be those who will affirm afresh their commitment to Jesus and restore fellowship with Him.
474 27th

for those who have come to faith while in prison: give thanks to God and pray that they will grow in their faith with support from other Christians.
475 28th

for those desperate to be free from drug and alcohol addictions, that they will receive appropriate support both in prison and on release, especially through ‘rehabs’.
476 29th

for men and women with confused beliefs; pray for wisdom for chaplains that they will be able to clearly communicate the truth of the gospel.
477 30th

for those feeling the shame of a crime committed by a family member and consider themselves victims (and perhaps ostracised in their community); pray that they will find support from Christians and be enabled to forgive their family member.
478 31st

for victims whose lives have been seriously impacted by injuries and trauma; pray for their healing and that they will be enabled to live fulfilled lives.