POINTERS for PRAYER and PRAISE
October 2018
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October 2018
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1 The Twinkle of Hope project provides much needed care & support for children in prison with their mothers in Ethiopia. Pray for this ongoing work, for the children and for their mums.
2 The REFUGE child care project provides support in the community for the children of prisoners in Ethiopia. Pray for these children, for their families and for those caring for them. 3 Pray for Alpha in Prisons, Christianity Explored and other initiatives to share the good news of Jesus with prisoners. 4 Pray for prisoners who have made a Christian commitment and who may be struggling to cope with cynicism, criticism and efforts to get them to go back to their old ways. 5 Pray for those who help to organise family days which can be so helpful in maintaining family ties. 6 Pray for elderly prisoners who have to cope with the reality of prison life as well as the rigours of old age. 7 SUNDAY Pray for prisoners who work closely with chaplains as chapel orderlies and sometimes as part of the worship team. 8 Pray for volunteers working both inside prisons and also offering support for people in the community who may have a family member in prison. 9 Pray for recently promoted staff that they may quickly be able to fulfil their new responsibilities competently. 10 Pray for victims of domestic violence – women, men or children – and that there would be support, counselling and justice available for them. Sadly some victims go on to commit similar offences and are now in prison. 11 Pray for members of the justice sector including staff employed in Prison Reception departments as they interact with prisoners - especially those who may be coming into prison for the first time. 12 Pray for the safety of both staff and inmates as widespread drug use, extreme violence and low staff levels are reportedly creating a very dangerous environment in many UK prisons. 13 Pray for all the team working behind the scenes in the JFA-PFE office in Addis Ababa. 14 SUNDAY First day of Prisons Week in England and Wales - a week of prayer for prisoners, victims, families, communities, those who work in prisons and for all working in the criminal justice system. This is an opportunity for national prisons related focused prayer. 15 Pray for prisoners under segregation for whatever reason - some can find the isolation very difficult mentally. 16 Pray that prisoners who have mental illnesses would be supported appropriately and able to cope with the prison regime. |
17 Pray for children affected by the imprisonment of a parent especially when this means long term separation.
18 Pray for prisoners who feel so without hope that they may be at risk of self harming or attempting suicide. 19 Pray for prison staff who have day to day interaction with prisoners that they may be alert to risks and be able to prevent any serious incidents. 20 Pray for our partners JFA-PFE and give thanks for their positive input throughout the justice sector. 21 SUNDAY Pray for prisoners who respond to the gospel message and for their families who may be impacted in different ways by this life changing decision. 22 Pray for government ministers here in the UK and in Ethiopia as they try to address the issues of crime and punishment and that there may be a greater readiness to work for restorative justice with its potential to reduce crime. 23 Continue to pray for the Ethiopian Chaplain Coordinators that all their needs will be supplied and the work continue unhindered as they work in often quite isolated locations. 24 Pray for adequate funding not only for the ongoing Ethiopian projects such as Chaplaincy, Twinkle of Hope and REFUGE Child care but also for capital construction projects within the prisons including chapels, dormitories and even schools. 25 Pray for Prisoners in Ethiopia who have graduated in Bible Study that, as they live in the light of what they have learnt, their example will touch the lives of others including prisoners, staff and most of all their families. 26 Pray for the women and their children in prison in Ethiopia and for efforts being made to try and improve some of the poverty related conditions including building a new dormitory in Addis Alem prison which is now nearing completion. 27 Pray for prisoners who are seeking something to bring hope and meaning into their lives that they would be able to find it in Jesus. 28 SUNDAY Pray for new believers facing sometimes violent opposition, even from family and former friends, as they gather to worship the Lord and enjoy fellowship and teaching. 29 Pray for the ongoing prisons work both in Ethiopia and also in the UK with its challenges and opportunities. 30 Pray for team members as they share with church groups etc. something of the opportunities and challenges of prisons ministry. 31 Pray for our trustees that as they lead this work - often amongst people who feel marginalised and without hope - that they may be sensitive to the Lord's leading. __________________________________________________________
Pray continually
Thessalonians 5:16 |
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PRISONS WEEK (England and Wales)
Once again this year in England and Wales there is a week specially set apart to pray for those affected by imprisonment. The dates are 14 to 20 October.
The theme this year is "Boldly Go" taken from Hebrews 4: 16
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"
At this time there really is a lot of need. Some of the terrible and dangerous conditions in our UK prisons have been featured on the news. Violence affecting both prisoners and staff low staff levels in overcrowded prisons as well as self harm and suicide. To try to draw attention to this challenge to health and safety, staff have even taken drastic action and walked out. PLEASE PLEASE PRAY!
On the Sunday at the start of Prisons Week there is an overarching prayer and then each day there is opportunity to focus on distinct aspects of the penal system.
Monday: For those who are prisoners
Tuesday: For victims of crime
Wednesday: For the families
Thursday: For our communities
Friday: For those who work in prisons
Saturday: For all working in the Criminal Justice system
Click here to download the 2018 Prisons Week Prayer leaflet which gives a very helpful outline for each day of the week along with a suggested prayer.
PRISONS WEEK (England and Wales)
Once again this year in England and Wales there is a week specially set apart to pray for those affected by imprisonment. The dates are 14 to 20 October.
The theme this year is "Boldly Go" taken from Hebrews 4: 16
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"
At this time there really is a lot of need. Some of the terrible and dangerous conditions in our UK prisons have been featured on the news. Violence affecting both prisoners and staff low staff levels in overcrowded prisons as well as self harm and suicide. To try to draw attention to this challenge to health and safety, staff have even taken drastic action and walked out. PLEASE PLEASE PRAY!
On the Sunday at the start of Prisons Week there is an overarching prayer and then each day there is opportunity to focus on distinct aspects of the penal system.
Monday: For those who are prisoners
Tuesday: For victims of crime
Wednesday: For the families
Thursday: For our communities
Friday: For those who work in prisons
Saturday: For all working in the Criminal Justice system
Click here to download the 2018 Prisons Week Prayer leaflet which gives a very helpful outline for each day of the week along with a suggested prayer.