NEWS
A week of prayer for prisons
For over forty years now, Prisons Week has prepared prayer literature to enable the Christian community, through individuals and churches, to pray for the needs of all those affected by prisons: prisoners and their families, victims of crime and their communities, those working in the criminal justice system and the many people who are involved in caring for those affected by crime on the inside and outside of our prisons. This year, Prisons Week will be between 13-20 October.
FCG are committed to supporting and encouraging Free Church chaplains across prisons in England and Wales. You can read more about the work of the FCG in this important area HERE.
You can sign up for the receive email prayers HERE
Make a note in your church diary now for the Prisons Week prayers and activities… 13th - 20th October…
And why not encourage your worship leaders and house groups to share this prayer throughout the year?
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 activities
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.
(Prayer from Prisons Week website)
Forty years faithful
The Prison Fellowship of England and Wales was set up in 1979. Since then they have been working with prisoners, showing the love of Christ to those in prison and their families.
PF’s mission is to show Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside them and supporting them. We seek through prayer and practical care to help, support and develop a Christian ministry to prisoners and their families.
They do this through their network of volunteers, and have over 2,500 volunteers. They are currently involved with almost all of the 120 prisons in England and Wales.
Your church can get involved HERE.
To celebrate this anniversary there will be a special event at Westminster Abbey on 30th March (2-4pm) - Rev Bob Wilson of the FCG will be there and many others - you can reserve your place HERE.
The FCG support chaplaincy across prisons and you can read more about our vital work in this field HERE.
Is children's and young people's mental health getting worse?
This is a challenging question, with some worrying trends starting to emerge, so says a recent report from the NHS, as reported on the BBC news.
Many of us experience mental health issues at some stage in our lives and we may know children and young people in our churches and communities who are struggling right now with low esteem, poor mental health and anxiety.
You can read the report from the BBC HERE.
What can we do, as churches?
We can pray for our children and young people. We can pray for the services which support them at times of need.
We can pray for the work of our Free Church Healthcare Chaplains.
We can make our churches spaces where children and young people feel at ease to raise issues affecting them.
Perhaps there are ways that your church could support schools, youth groups and colleges pastorally?
Premier, a Christian broadcasting association have reported recently on this important topic and shared news about Action for Children Blues Programme - there may be activities and support groups as part of this programme running near you.
In your church lobby, why not display a Childline poster so those visiting can get free confidential advice and support if they need to?
You can also find out more about how to support children and families with online security here.
Inspire...
As part of our ecumenical and partnership work across the field of education, I am attending an Inspire evening, later courtesy of the Anglican Diocese of Bath and Wells. I am accompanying the Pray For Schools worker, Jane, to tell churches and visitors about the important work of Pray for Schools. FCG has been an active member of the steering group of Pray For Schools for many years.
You can strengthen the prayer you offer up for your local schools too, get involved in the network and download lots of free resources HERE.
Date for your diary - Pray for Schools Fortnight is coming up in May - why not get ready now and download resources and register your prayer meetings?
You can read more about the work of the FCG Education team and activities HERE.
Sara Iles, FCG Education Assistant
Praying for half term holidays
As part of our goal to feature articles and prayers from FCG member groups, here is a prayer written by the Congregational Federation for half term…
Prayers for this week
Let’s pray for rest as schools and half term holidays start,
That those leading youth groups, teachers and all those who work with children can rest.
We also pray for protection on children - that children are cared for and enjoy the week.
We pray for any activities that may be taking place in our churches this week.
Amen.