On 17 November 2013 Churches across Britain will be marking Prisoners' Sunday and we are invited to pray for all prisoners and their families. It is a day of prayer and action for prisoners, their children and families, prison workers, ex-offenders, and victims of crime.
This Sunday also marks the beginning of Prisons Week, which runs nationwide until 23 November and encourages Christians to think about and pray for all those affected by prison: prisoners and their families, prison staff and all those who care.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols said, “I am delighted to support Prisons Week once again and I strongly encourage Christians to think about, pray for, and act for all those affected by prisons during this special week in November.”
The theme for this year is ‘Stand in the Light’ – based on a Scriptural verse from the Prophet Malachi 4 v2: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.”
The light of the Lord touches all those who call upon his name and turn towards him. Sometimes this is what we can manage to do – to turn, to lift our eyes to his light in love and longing. This Prisons Week we pray for all those affected by prison and who carry heavy burdens of responsibility or loss, that they might turn to the Lord and find restoration and wholeness in him.
Archbishop Vincent is President of the Prison Advice Care Trust (Pact) which supports people affected by imprisonment. One vital area being pioneered by Pact is an initiative called Basic Caring Communities (BaCC) which is a resettlement project aimed at helping ex-offenders settle back into the local community.
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
For resources for Prison’s Week click here
For Pact click here
