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.
April 2021
| 1st |
Maundy Thursday |
| 2nd |
Good Friday |
| 3rd |
that through all the resources produced by the chaplains and through the literature distributed by BeaconLight and other ministries, many residents and staff will begin to explore the significance of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. |
| 4th |
Easter Day |
| 5th |
for those in prison for the first time and feeling anxious, that they will receive appropriate support from officers and chaplains. |
| 6th |
for the elderly, the frail and those vulnerable to self-harming and to attempts at suicide, that they will receive the appropriate level of support and care and be kept safe. |
| 7th |
for those overcome with guilt and shame for their crimes, that they might turn to Christ and know that they are forgiven and cleansed by His sacrificial death. |
| 8th |
for Governors for the wisdom they need as they begin to plan the easing of restrictions and the resuming of work, education, recreation and rehabilitation programmes. |
| 9th |
for chaplains (for whom the lockdown has been especially demanding as more men and women have needed pastoral support and without the availability of volunteers to help them). Pray that the Lord will sustain them and help them to manage their time and priorities effectively. |
| 10th |
for healthcare staff, that they will be enabled to care with skill, love and compassion, despite all the demands upon them. Give thanks to God for them. Pray especially for Christians, that they might display Christ’s love to those for whom they care. |
| 11th |
for officers working on the landings, for their protection. Pray for healing for officers currently off sick as a result of injury, stress-related illness or having tested positive with Covid-19. |
| 12th |
for security staff, as they work to make their prison more secure, especially by preventing drugs and other illegal substances and items getting into the prison. |
| 13th |
for chaplains, that the Lord will guide them as they prepare worship and teaching materials, (which will be distributed where services cannot be held). Pray, too, that they will share the gospel as opportunities arise and distribute gospel literature to those open to receiving it. |
| 14th |
for all Christians working in our prisons, that the Lord will enable them to bring glory to God as they serve Him in what can be a hostile environment for those who are open about their faith. |
| 15th |
for mature believers that they will be kept strong in their faith and the Lord will use them as a witness to other residents and to staff. |
| 16th |
for those vulnerable to bullying and intimidation, that they will be protected from those who would seek to harm them. |
| 17th |
for men and women who are grieving, particularly those who were not able to see their loved ones during the final stages of their life. |
| 18th |
that the teaching and worship materials produced by the chaplains for this Sunday will be used by the Lord to speak to all the residents who will receive them. |
| 19th |
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’. |
| 20th |
for those who are suffering from depression. Pray especially for chaplains as they offer the hope that is found in Christ and pray that many will respond to it. |
| 21st |
for those who have been victims themselves and are bitter towards those who have hurt them. Pray that they might be counselled to forgive – and might receive God’s forgiveness too. |
| 22nd |
for partners, grandparents and others caring for children in the absence of parents in prison, especially with the closure of schools creating greater pressure on carers. |
| 23rd |
for probation staff, community chaplains and all who support men and women on release. Pray especially that the vulnerable (and those without family support) will get the help they need to prevent them from reoffending. |
| 24th |
for children of men and women in prison that, wherever possible and appropriate, they will be able to maintain contact with their parent(s). Pray for the protection of those children who are at risk of turning to crime themselves. |
| 25th |
for ‘rehabs’ (and especially for the Christian ministries), that, through their programmes, many men and women will overcome their addiction and that many will commit to follow Christ. |
| 26th |
for families impacted financially by imprisonment (and Covid) and for organisations such as Christians Against Poverty who are supporting them through practical care and advice. |
| 27th |
for children taken into care as a result of one or both parents being in prison, that they will be healed from the emotional damage of losing their parents. |
| 28th |
give thanks to God for the churches which actively welcome ‘ex-offenders’. Pray that many more will do so, with trained volunteers able to mentor and support the men and women referred to them. |
| 29th |
for those who have lost loved ones through crime, that they will find healing. Pray especially for the families of young people who have been murdered. |
| 30th |
for victims of abuse, that they will find the support they need to help their healing from their trauma. |