Prisons week runs from Sunday 8th October to Saturday 14th
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me….
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
From Matthew 25:35-40
Prisoners are one of the groups that Jesus picked out for a special mention. He did this on more than one occasion and freedom for this group is a key feature in his original job description given by the prophet Isaiah and owned by him in the temple at the start of his ministry in Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free…
And yet it seems to me that Prisoners as a group of people do not draw our attention the same way, or to the same extent, as they did His. Perhaps this is because we can’t see them and have to go out of our way to encounter them… but then Jesus did that too. He sought out the most needy and vulnerable people in the community and chose, not only to hang out with them but to offer them friendship, hope and freedom.
Prisons week provides an opportunity for you to catch a glimpse of why prisoners are so close to Jesus’ heart and are up there on his priority list. It has been run by Prison Fellowship, a Christian Charity, since the 1970s.
This year the theme is Look Up and you can see the video and read more about the work here: https://www.prisonsweek.org/2023-campaign/
It is a privilege to see the hands and feet of Jesus at work in all corners of The Prison Service today. We see Him meeting with prisoners in their cells, touching the hearts of prison staff giving a fresh perspective to their work. We see Him in Alpha and Sycamore Tree courses and making His presence known in church services as He continues to set the captives free in 2023.
Please take a few minutes to take a closer look at prisoners, and the work of Prison Fellowship more widely, remembering that no one is out of sight and out of mind to Jesus and that no one beyond hope.
There are lots of ways you can make a difference, look here: https://prisonfellowship.org.uk
Prisons week prayer 2023
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
The thought this week was written by Heather Marsden, Managing Chaplain, HMP & YOI Chelmsford
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