Prayers for the week 15 - 19 October 2018 Prayer theme: Prisons week and anti-slavery day Many people in our world are in prison: mostly because they have done something wrong, some are however innocent and some are locked up because they stood up for their beliefs and this is not accepted in their society. We think slavery is something of the past, but nothing is less true. The Home Office estimates that there are approximately 13000 victims and survivors of modern slavery in the UK. All these people need our prayers.

Monday 15 October A reading according to the Gospel of Matthew: Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Loving God, open our eyes so that we may meet Christ in each other and in all those we meet. Amen.

Monday 15 October 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.

Tuesday 15 October FOR THOSE WHO ARE PRISONERS Inside a cell, the temptation is to give up, to abandon hope and just wait for release. It requires courage for any one of us to acknowledge wrongdoing and seek forgiveness. Merciful God, full of grace, give strength and humility to confess any wrongdoing. Give to all those who seek truth the courage to approach you, to ask for mercy and forgiveness. For all who come to you with empty hands, may your power and inspiration fill their hearts and minds, leading to a real understanding that all things are possible with you. So may they go forward into new life through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday 16 October FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME To become the victim of a crime is to be undermined at a very deep level: one stops trusting others and is afraid all the time. Others are needed for support and God’s grace and strength is needed to carry on. Loving Father, we pray for all who are the victims of crime, give them the strength, courage and power they need to step into the future, comforted and supported. Help them conquer their fears in the company of those who love and care for them. Build them up and inspire them, restore their confidence and lead them into new life through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 17 October ANTI-SLAVERY DAY In 1869, a little girl was born in Sudan in Africa. As a child she was kidnapped into slavery. This experience was so frightening that she could not even remember her name. So, her kidnappers named her Bakhita. Which means “fortunate.” An Italian man purchased Bakhita and treated here well. When he had to away for business he left her in convent in Venice where Bakhita got to know God and upon his return she asked to stay with the sisters and got the name ‘Josephine’. In 2000 Pope John Paul II named her a saint and she became the patron of victims of human trafficking. O God, you always hear the cry of your people and have compassion for the oppressed and the enslaved. We pray to you for those suffering the torment of human trafficking. Give us the courage to stand up and work for the rights of our sisters and brothers who live in slavery and exploitation. We ask this with the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday 17 October WEDNESDAY: FOR THE FAMILIES OF PRISONERS AND VICTIMS When families of prisoners or victims are caught up in the consequences of crime, it can be costly and shocking; turning the familiar upside down and exposing the innocent to distress, judgement and condemnation. It could happen to any one of us. Generous God, always ready to share your gifts with us, we are all your children who could at any time be caught up in criminality or need to care for our loved ones as they deal with imprisonment or victimhood. Be present and strengthen those who are supporting the victims of crime, those who visit prisoners and await their release. Give support to the damaged and vulnerable. Amen.

Thursday 18 October A prayer for victims of human trafficking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvitgYGs_D4

Thursday 18 October FOR OUR COMMUNITIES Prisoners and victims of crime all come from our communities, and return to them. We need proclaim the role of communities as places of nurture, renewal and healthy growth for people. They need to become places where honesty and humility are possible and where we seek new and life changing solutions. God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit living in loving relationship, teach us to acknowledge our need of you, remind us that those who are sorry for what they have done wrong are welcome in your kingdom that the criminal can serve their sentence and be welcomed back in our community too. Help us to recognize one another always as brothers and sisters in your family, made in your image and worthy of all respect. We ask this in the name of our brother Jesus. Amen.

Friday 19 October FOR THOSE WHO WORK IN PRISONS Working in a prison is a hard job, involving risks and difficulty and not well understood by others. It can bring out the best and the worst in any of us. Every day prison staff deal with the vulnerable and dangerous, often with great boldness and imagination, despite the lack of resources and recognition. Living God, give to all those who work in our prisons confidence, grace and courage in the face of distress and danger. Keep their energy levels high, and fill them with your Holy Spirit. May they support one another and strengthen hope in all those for whom they care. Merciful and generous God, pour out all the richness of your gifts into our prisons that your light might triumph. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.

Friday 19 October Examen Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks.​ Who have you left a good memory with this week? Look back over your week. Where have you felt joy and what has been difficult and challenged you? In the quiet of your heart, tell God about your experiences.​ Give thanks for who you are. As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter next week? Ask God to help you.

Afternoon Prayer and Reflection Lord Thank you for the morning, for watching over me and walking with me. May I find joy and understanding this afternoon, in all I do. Grant me the zest and the strength I need to work for you until nightfall. Amen Let us pause for a few moments in silence and remember those family members and friends who need our prayers and support today………… Let us ask Mary, our Mother, to join us in our prayers as we say: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen We end our reflection with a prayer inspired by our foundress followed by the school prayer: Loving Father, life-giving spirit – Marie Madeleine believed in your power, hoped in your promises and lived for your glory. We ask her to pray for us and be with us as we carry the FCJ spirit into the 21st century. Protect and guide the pupils and staff at Upton and at all FCJ schools in this country and around the world. Amen May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen