With so many men and women in our prisons wanting to be free from the life of crime in which they feel trapped, there are enormous opportunities for the gospel. And, of course, there are many pastoral needs, too, not only amongst those serving a prison sentence but also within their families.
Those who wish to pray daily through the month may like to follow the monthly plan below and perhaps also pray specifically for one or two prisons.
| 448 | 1st | for the elderly, the frail and those vulnerable to self-harming and attempting suicide, that they will receive the appropriate level of support and care and be kept safe. |
| 449 | 2nd | for those desperate to be free from drug and alcohol addictions, that they will receive appropriate support both in prison and on release, especially through ‘rehabs’. |
| 450 | 3rd | for the men and women recently released and with a history of reoffending, that they will have the support they need to break that cycle. |
| 451 | 4th | for men and women in dispute over access to, or custody of, their children. Pray for wisdom for those with the responsibility of making decisions in the best interests of the children. |
| 452 | 5th | for those who are suffering from mental illness, that they will receive the care and treatment they need. |
| 453 | 6th | for vulnerable women who will be released this month, that they will receive effective support for as long as it is needed. |
| 454 | 7th | for men and women who are violent towards staff, that they will receive specialist support and treatment if needed. Pray that God will intervene in their life, convicting them about their behaviour and of their need of Jesus. |
| 455 | 8th | for all Christians – staff and volunteers - working in our prisons, that the Lord will enable them to bring glory to God as they serve Him and seek to be ‘salt and light’. |
| 456 | 9th | for healthcare staff, that they will be enabled to care with skill, love and compassion, despite all the demands upon them. Give thanks to God for them. Pray especially for Christians, that they might display Christ’s love to those for whom they care. |
| 457 | 10th | for new officers who have only started duties on the landings this month, that they will be alert to the risks they face and will be kept safe. |
| 458 | 11th | for all who provide bereavement counselling, that the Lord will sustain them, especially during times of heavy demand upon them. |
| 459 | 12th | for chaplains and volunteers who are leading Bible study groups; pray that the men and women will be responsive to God’s Word. |
| 460 | 13th | for Governors, as they manage their establishments to provide as full a programme of classes, groups and activities as it is safe and secure to do. |
| 461 | 14th | for the newly recruited officers, that they will be kept safe during their early days of becoming familiar with the prison regime. Pray for the experienced officers who oversee them. |
| 462 | 15th | for community groups, charities, schools, youth workers and others who counsel young people against the carrying of knives and other weapons. |
| 463 | 16th | for the protection of children whose lives have been dominated by the criminal activity of one or both parents. Pray that they will be kept free from crime themselves. |
| 464 | 17th | for agencies working to protect children and young people from alcohol and drug abuse. |
| 465 | 18th | for children with a parent in prison that, wherever possible and appropriate, they will be able to maintain contact with their parent. Pray for the protection of those children who are at risk of turning to crime themselves. |
| 466 | 19th | for ‘rehabs’ (and especially for the Christian ministries), that, through their programmes, many men and women will overcome their addiction and that many will also commit to follow Christ. |
| 467 | 20th | for families impacted financially by imprisonment and for organisations such as Christians Against Poverty who support them through practical care and advice. |
| 468 | 21st | for probation staff, community chaplains and all who support men and women on release from prison. Pray that the vulnerable will get the help they need to prevent them from reoffending. |
| 469 | 22nd | for believers who have ‘backslidden’, that there will be those who will affirm afresh their commitment to Jesus and restore fellowship with Him. |
| 470 | 23rd | for all believers who are witnessing to Christ, that the Lord will grant them wisdom and boldness. |
| 471 | 24th | for the protection and safe resettlement of those being released this month. |
| 472 | 25th | for those who have come to faith while in prison: give thanks to God and pray that they will grow in their faith with support from other Christians. |
| 473 | 26th | for the men and women who are fearful about the future, that they might turn to Christ and find hope, both for this life and for eternity. |
| 474 | 27th | for those vulnerable to self-harming and attempts at suicide, that they will receive the extra support and care needed and will be kept safe. |
| 475 | 28th | for those overcome with guilt and shame for their crimes, that they might turn to Christ and know that they are forgiven and cleansed by His sacrificial death. |
| 476 | 29th | for the many recent victims of knife crime, for their families and especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Pray that many will turn to the Lord for His comfort and strength. |
| 477 | 30th | for victims of abuse, that they will find the support they need to help their healing from their trauma. |
| 478 | 31st | for victims whose lives have been seriously impacted by injuries and trauma; pray for their healing and that they will be enabled to live fulfilled lives. |