Prisons Sunday (10th) marks the beginning of Prisons Week, which continues until the following Saturday (16th).
An ecumenical Prisons Week Committee was formed in 1975 to encourage Christians to focus their thoughts and prayers, upon prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prison staff and all those working for prisoners and their families.
Recently we have heard of people being sent to prisons for a very long time for crimes of a very serious nature, but of the 85,000 inmates in prison today many are there for less serious offences. But whoever they are, and whatever the offence they have committed they are still human beings and as Christians we believe we are all God’s children.
Some time ago I was privileged to be the Methodist Prison Chaplain for over 10 years at Hollesley Bay Prison and I witnessed firsthand the work that is being done to assist in the rehabilitation and preparation for their future when they are released from prison. This work is often helped by volunteers.
Just one of these programs is that of Restorative Justice where the prisoner actually meets with the people they have offended face to face. This of course is very sensitively done and take a long time but it is proving a great success
But Prisons Week encourages all to pray for the needs of the prisoners, and their families, victim of offenders, prison staff and all those who work in the justice system.
The theme for this year is a verse from St. Luke’s Gospel chapter 12 and verse 24, “Consider the RAVENS; they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them: and how much more valuable you are than birds”!
The Prison Week Prayer is;
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.
And may God bless you all.