Parish of St Osmund
Churches of St Gregory & St Osmund
“Lord Jesus Christ, You have come so that we may have life to the full, listen to our prayers for all in prison and their families, touched by your Spirit, may they find newness of heart and be open to that new life that is found only in you. May they know care, and receive support from those around them. May they find new purpose in serving you in their brothers and sisters. Amen”

What is Prisoners’ Sunday?Prisoners Sunday 2022 1140 641

08 October 2023

Prisoners’ Sunday is the national day of prayer and action for prisoners and their dependants as marked by the Catholic Church and across the Christian denominations. It is a day to direct our thoughts and prayers to prisoners, their families and children. Prisoners’ Sunday is the time to reflect on how we as individuals, as a Church and as a community are serving those affected by imprisonment.

Prisoners’ families, prisoners and people with previous convictions often find themselves on the margins of society due to the social stigma associated with imprisonment. They are often forgotten or come lower down on the list of causes to ‘hold a hand out to’. But the gospel of Matthew 25: 36 reminds us of our duties towards them:

I was in prison and you came to see me.

Matthew 25: 36

Pact’s work embodies the Christian value of mercy and belief in the innate dignity of every human being. Through this campaign we ask you to engage with a core element of Catholic social teaching and put our faith into action.

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) is a national charity that provides support to prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. We support people to make a fresh start, and minimise the harm that can be caused by imprisonment to people who have committed offences, to families and to communities.

What they do:

  • Build stronger families and safer communities.
  • Reduce risk of harm to prisoners and their children.
  • Remove barriers and increase awareness in public services.
  • Influence commissioning, policy and legislation.

 

Heavenly Father, today we lift to You those in prison who cannot face tomorrow. We pray that you will place people around them who will speak words of comfort and show acts of kindness that encourages their spirit. Most of all, we ask that when the noise of crashing doors and shouting has faded, Your voice will be heard, bringing hope in the darkness once again. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, You have come so that we may have life to the full. Listen to our prayers for all in prison and their families.Touched by your Spirit, may they find newness of heart and be open to that new life that is found only in You. May they know care and receive support from those around them. May they find new purpose in serving you in their brothers and sisters. Amen.

Sunday 08 October – Saturday 14 October 2023

For nearly fifty years now, Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature to enable the Christian community, through individuals and churches, to pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system and the many people who are involved in caring for those affected by crime on the inside and outside of our prisons.

Prisons Week raises awareness and generates prayer. It motivates volunteers to step forward and give their time and gifts, in prisons and in their own communities. It provides an annual focus and reason for Christians to work together, building capacity and motivation to make a difference for people who are out of sight and often out of mind.

Prisons Sunday – the second Sunday in October – marks the beginning of the week of prayer each year, running through until the following Saturday.

Prisons Week Prayers

Each day of the week, a new prayer brings into focus a different group affected by prison or criminal justice.

 

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

Out of the Depths I cry to you O Lord (Psalm 130:1)

Heavenly Father, thank you for those who work in the prison service. May they be motivated by a desire
to help others live well. We pray for any who are discouraged. Help them to look up and cry out to you, for you are both holy and full of mercy and hear our prayers. May they know your unfailing love for them and for the prisoners they serve. Please give them fresh hope and encouragement at work today.

I cried Out to God to hear me (Psalm 77:1)

God, if you are there, I am in the darkness where I am alone and feel abandoned. Will you hear my cries for help? At night the darkness stuff locates me but I know your light shines. You know me better than I know myself, and I turn to you in my despair. If you hear me, speak to me. If you are here,
visit me. I want to know you and your safety. Rescue me from all my fears.

I Wait for The Lord… And in his word I put my trust (Psalm 130:5)

We pray for all those affected by prison – the prisoner, the family or victims. Be near them when they
are angry, sad or cry for help. May they be assured of your trust and love for them. Lord, you know us
and you are near us wherever we are and whatever we do. Even though we stray so often from your
presence may we know the comfort of your loving arms around us.

For Great Is your love towards me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave (Psalm 86:13)

Lord God, I thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you that in receiving your forgiveness I have been able to forgive those who have hurt me and turn that pain into purpose. I pray for those who find themselves in prison, that they will also come to know your goodness and be glad to receive your love, so that their lives too, can be transformed and renewed.

Where Can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7)

We look to the God who knows the turbulence we’ve experienced. And we pray that we will find stability. We look to the God who knows our hurt. And we pray that we will find peace. We look to the God who knows who matters to us; those held dearly and missed. And we pray that we will find true family and community. We look to the One who calls each by name, beloved child.

Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

Dear Lord, we lift up to you all of those caught up within the prison system. We ask that as the confusion,
mess, violence and addiction is all around we can know that our refuge is in you. We know that we can find rest in you, we know that we can be still and know that you are God. We pray for peace in the heart of each of those behind locked doors and we pray that they would know you close.

The heavens declare the Glory of God (Psalm 19:1)

Creator God, the heavens declare your glory and you have made me in your image. Come
to me in my despair and sadness and remind me that I can do nothing without you. As I lift my
eyes and hear the call of Jesus to follow, I thank you that only through you I can be truly at
peace with myself and the world.