Welcome

Download the 2010 Prayer Leaflet

For over thirty years Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature to enable the Christian community, through individuals and churches, to pray for the needs of prisoners, their families, victims of crime and the many people who are involved in caring for prisoners. You may find it of interest to look at some of the themes that have been highlighted over the years by viewing the past leaflets included in the resource library.

This year Prisons Week is running from 21st - 27th November, 2010 and the title is 'Be With Me'. The text is Luke 23 v 33-43.

You'll find plenty to inspire your prayers within the 2010 event page. Each day contains a themed introduction, a verse of Scripture and a prayer. There are also powerful video clips and reflective diaries (available to download) from real people in which they share their lives and how they are affected by prison. Some useful links are provided for each day if you have been inspired to get involved.

The pre-printed version of the prayer leaflet makes an excellent A3 size poster for use in your church. It also contains the prayers and short commentaries for each day and is a great resource for home groups and prayer teams. Click here to order packs of 10 for a suggested donation of just £2.

We hope that you and your church will join us in prayer during the 2010 Prisons Week and that these resources will contribute towards another outstanding event.

 

Patron Commendations

“One of the most serious aspects of being in prison can be the sense of isolation and even abandonment; and one of the most effective witnesses that can be given to prisoners is the assurance that they are not forgotten. ‘When I was in prison, you visited me’, says Jesus and this tells us two things – that Jesus is already with those in prison, as he is with all who live in loneliness (including the loneliness of self-reproach or self-hatred); and that he is waiting for us there. I hope and pray that this year’s Prisons Week will help us all to connect with the Jesus who waits for us in prison, and that those undergoing imprisonment will feel confident that they are accompanied in prayer and compassion by the Lord and his servants.”

+ Rowan Cantuar
Archbishop of Canterbury

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“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 Most Reverend Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster

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“One of the most difficult things we can humanly do is to stand alongside someone in different circumstances to ourselves.
Few of us can understand the isolation, loneliness and hopelessness of prison. And this not only affects those within the prison system but their families, their victims, and those who work there. Judges and police too, often work alone and the responsibilities of directly and justly deciding the future of another human being must weigh heavily on them. Christians rejoice that Jesus himself shares that same sense of imprisonment, and that he walks alongside all who live in loneliness. This Prisons Week is a chance to identify in prayer with those who need compassion and understanding, those whose lives have been broken through their own mistakes and the deeds of others. I commend this Week in a spirit of freedom, recalling always that Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captive and freedom to those imprisoned.”

+ Barry Cambrensis
Archbishop of Wales

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“I am privileged to send support of Prisons Week 2010. 'Be With me' is a prayer of faith and a reflection of God's promise to His children that he would be with us wherever we are. God's presence is within every circumstance and often when we find ourselves in situations in which we feel hopeless and helpless, we become aware of God who comes with both hope and help. As we focus our prayers on those who find their lives confined by law or by outcomes of lawlessness and for those committed to bring help and care, we pray that God's presence and resources of love, mercy and justice would bring hope. The Salvation Army has long been committed to coming alongside men, women and children who lives are broken and confused and from our heart we would want to reach out in love to those whose lives need renewing and rebuilding.”

Elizabeth A Matear (Commissioner)
Moderator of the Free Churches Group