Prisons Week 2021

For more than forty years, Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature for the Christian community to use as it prays for the needs of all those affected by prison – prisoners and their families, the victims of crime, those working and volunteering in prisons, and the criminal justice system itself. The 2021 annual Prisons Week will run from Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 October.

The Bible verse being used as a focus for prayer in 2021 is ‘Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!’ (Luke 12:24). The special prayer for Prisons Week is, ‘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.’

Specific prayers for each of the seven days of Prisons Week can be found HERE. Christians are invited to use these prayers each day during Prisons Week – and to ask themselves whether there is one thing that they can do to help any of the people that they are praying for.

Prisons Week is supported by a wide range of Christian Churches and organisations, including Assemblies of God in Great Britain, the Bible Society, the Church of England, Churches Together in England, Good News for Everyone (Gideons UK), the Methodist Church in Great Britain, the Mothers Union, the Nehemiah Project, Prisons Advice and Care Trust (Pact), Prisons Fellowship, the Roman Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, the Salvation Army, the United Reformed Church and Youth for Christ.

The Prisons Week website can be accessed HERE. The Prisons Advice and Care Trust website is HERE. The Prisons Fellowship website is HERE.