POINTERS FOR PRAYER and THANKSGIVING
May 2020
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May 2020
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With Covid-19 causing many changes to normal life both in prisons
and in the community, you may find you have more time for prayer.
If so why not include all these pointers every day!
THANKS FOR PRAYING
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and in the community, you may find you have more time for prayer.
If so why not include all these pointers every day!
THANKS FOR PRAYING
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1 Pray for wisdom for decision makers as, due to Covid-19 and to relieve overcrowding problems, thousands of prisoners are being released.
2 Give thanks for churches that are willing to welcome ex-offenders on release from prison with all their different needs and associated risks. This will be much more difficult now that churches are closed and many other restrictions apply. 3 Sunday. Pray that chaplains may be able to find ways to continue to offer spiritual support for prisoners at a time when circumstances prevent them from joining with others for corporate worship 4 Pray for people being released from prison – especially if they have no money, no job prospects because of their criminal record and nowhere to live. They can find it very difficult to cope without some help and support. 5 Pray for the national chaplaincy leadership responsible for prisons in England and Wales - especially that the Christian chaplains working at the "sharp end" will be encouraged and fully supported in their work in these difficult times with Covid-19. 6 Pray that prison staff will be able to keep doing their often difficult task of prisoner supervision etc. whilst struggling with pandemic related issues. 7 Pray for prisoners here in the UK many of whom are reportedly now locked in their cells all day and all night often with no purposeful activity. 8 Pray for the Justice Sector as it has become increasingly difficult to administer justice through the courts. 9 Pray for the families of prisoners and ex prisoners as they return home. All kinds of emotions can be experienced. 10 Sunday Even as we go through these dark days rejoice that the Lord is risen, death has been defeated. Millions of lives have been changed for ever as a result. Pray that ways may be found to spread this amazing good news in these difficult days and that many more will come to know the Saviour 13 Continue to pray that ways may be found in these days of prisoner isolation for this amazing forgiveness truth still to be able to be shared in the prisons. 14 Pray for Community Chaplains/Resettlement co-ordinators and mentoring schemes whose work is seriously impeded. 15 Pray for our Trustees as they wait on the Lord and seek his will regarding details of the work in these unprecedented times. 16 Pray for prison health care departments attending to many different needs from problems caused by addiction and poor lifestyle choices to Covid-19 challenges 17 Pray for the holistic prisons ministry of our partners Justice for All PF Ethiopia [JFA-PFE] that the good news may continue to be shared in word and deed. |
18 Pray and give thanks for the efforts of JFA-PFE to distribute Covid-19 protective items, including liquid soaps, masks and other items to prisons.
17 Sunday Pray for prisoners who would normally be able to go to the chapel today that some way may be found to minister to them in their isolation. 18 In these uncertain times pray for the Ethiopian volunteer medical teams who have been visiting prisons in the past as part of the Prisons Medical Project. 19 Pray for parole boards and all those involved at this time as they make decisions affecting the release of prisoners. 20 Pray for relatives of prisoners - particularly parents and children - at this time of enforced isolation. 21 Ascension Day. Pray for prisoners who may be feeling abandoned that they may know the reality of Jesus' saving grace and his continuing presence with them. 22 Pray for children in prison with their mothers, including Twinkle of Hope in Ethiopia and that appropriate focused support can be possible in these difficult days. 23 Pray for the children of prisoners including those being cared for in Ethiopia under the REFUGE scheme at a time when many places are on lockdown. 24 Sunday Pray for prisoners in the isolation of their cells on a day which would normally have a good deal of association time including opportunities for worship. 25 Pray for prisoners whose grandparents have died and who cannot go to the funeral. For some, grandparents have been the only stable influence in their lives. 26 Pray for prison governors as they work to keep their prisons safe sometimes with reduced staffing levels and prisoners with special needs both mental and physical. 27 Pray for those unjustly or inappropriately in prison throughout the world – some denied a fair trial or any trial at all. 28 Pray and give thanks at this time for one another - our valued prayer supporters - as opportunities to meet for prayer and updates on the work are all on hold. 29 Pray for all those who will be missing this year's Keswick Convention which has had to be cancelled. This event has played a major part in raising support for this prisons' ministry through some in depth conversations on our display stand. 30 Pray that prisoners will be made aware of Emmaus Bible School and others providing Bible Study opportunities by correspondence. 31 Pentecost Sunday - sometimes called the birthday of the church. Pray that many may be added to the number of the believers as so dramatically happened on that day - see Acts chapter 2. |
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THE LORD SETS PRISONERS FREE
Psalm 146: 6-7
Psalm 146: 6-7