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.
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.
| 448 | 1st | for those in prison for the first time and feeling anxious, that they will receive appropriate support from officers and chaplains. |
| 449 | 2nd | 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. |
| 450 | 3rd | for sex offenders, many of whom are overwhelmed with guilt, that they might come to recognise that they are not beyond God’s forgiveness. |
| 451 | 4th | for those whose partner is wanting a separation. Pray that, as they grieve the loss of this relationship, that they might turn to God and draw strength and comfort from Him. |
| 452 | 5th | for those who have recently lost contact with, or custody of, their children. Pray that they might receive emotional support and turn to God for comfort. |
| 453 | 6th | for the protection and safe resettlement of those being released this month. Pray that those who wish to attend a church will settle in one that is welcoming and supportive. |
| 454 | 7th | 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. |
| 455 | 8th | 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. |
| 456 | 9th | for the protection of officers working on the landings. Pray for healing for officers currently off sick as a result of injury or stress-related illness. |
| 457 | 10th | for the protection of all officers and staff, that there will be no outbreaks of widespread violence. |
| 458 | 11th | for the Lord’s wisdom for volunteers engaged in letter writing, that those who receive their letters will take comfort and encouragement from them. |
| 459 | 12th | for all Christians 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’. |
| 460 | 13th | for chaplains, that they will seek the help of the Holy Spirit as they prepare and deliver teaching. Pray that they will be bold in teaching God’s Word faithfully. |
| 461 | 14th | for chaplains and volunteers who are leading Bible study groups; pray that the men and women will be responsive to God’s Word. |
| 462 | 15th | for partners, grandparents and others caring for children in the absence of parents in prison. |
| 463 | 16th | for ‘rehabs’ (and especially for the Christian ministries), that, through their programmes, many men and women will overcome their addiction and that many will also commit to follow Christ. |
| 464 | 17th | for men and women in dispute over access to, or custody of, their children. Pray for wisdom for those with the responsibility of making decisions in the best interests of the children. |
| 465 | 18th | for communities troubled by an increase in violent crime, that effective policing will reverse the trend |
| 466 | 19th | for churches, youth workers and agencies working with children and young people who are offending or at risk of offending |
| 467 | 20th | for probation staff, community chaplains and all who support men and women on release from prison. Pray that the vulnerable will get the help they need to prevent them from reoffending. |
| 468 | 21st | for the protection of children whose lives have been dominated by the criminal activity of one or both parents. Pray that they will be kept free from 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 | that many men and women, especially unbelievers, might respond to BeaconLight’s gospel message – and the offer of a book – in this month’s Inside Time (the paper produced for residents). |
| 471 | 24th | for all believers who are witnessing to Christ, that the Lord will grant them wisdom and boldness. |
| 472 | 25th | 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. |
| 473 | 26th | that Christian literature will get into the hands of unbelievers and that the Lord will use it to draw many to faith in Christ. |
| 474 | 27th | for those who consider themselves a Christian but only by tradition and ‘doing religion’, that they will encounter Jesus during their time in prison. |
| 475 | 28th | for those who have turned away from the faith they once held, that their time in prison will lead to a firm commitment of their lives to Jesus. |
| 476 | 29th | for victims of violent crime, that they will find the support they need to help their physical and emotional healing. |
| 477 | 30th | for victims whose lives have been seriously impacted by injuries and trauma; pray for their healing and that they will be enable to live fulfilled lives. |
| 478 | 31st | 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. |