‘I was in prison and you visited me . .’
Matthew 25 v 36
9 October will be Prison Sunday, and during this Prisons’ Week, we pray for prisoners, their families, victims of crime, the courts, the police, and probation services and all who work in prisons and the Criminal Justice System.
In Matthew 25 one of those simple acts which mark out a Christian response to our neighbour, alongside feeding the hungry and thirsty, welcoming the stranger and caring for the sick, is visiting those in prison. This is where justice, judgement, redemption, repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and resurrection can be very real. Whilst any need for prison is a sign of failure, they, and the system of justice of which they are the most visible element, can also be a means of rehabilitation.
Through restorative justice schemes, there can be an understanding of the impact of actions on others, and the hope of reconciliation and forgiveness. COVID, amongst other factors, has placed great pressure on the whole of the Criminal Justice System, leading to delays in resolving cases. Pray too for those responsible for the whole system, for clarity and wisdom in how it is managed and resourced so that justice may be established for all.
Find out more about Prisons' Week: https://www.prisonsweek.org/
