A Sojourner's Quest

PA RT I I : WA L K I NG T H E D A I LY J O U R N E Y / 9 3

For Prisons and Prisoners

Most gracious Father, we beseech Thee to bless with Thy special care all penitentiaries and homes of refuge. Look down in pity on those who are sheltered in them. Guide and protect those who have again gone into the world. Give them all true contrition for their past sins. Strengthen them in their good resolutions. Lead them onward from grace to grace, that by Thy Holy Spirit guiding them, they may persevere in the paths of obedience and humility, and in striving against evil thoughts and desires. And to those engaged in teaching and training them, give Thy Holy Spirit, that they may have a right judgment; and that in deep humility and singleness of purpose, purity of heart and life, and real zeal for Thy glory and the salvation of souls, they may labour for the love of Thee. Give them faith and hope to sustain them in disappointment, love and patience towards those under their charge, and in Thine own good time crown their labour with an eternal reward. Grant this, we beseech Thee, for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release, forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy’s sake. Amen. ~ Book of Common Prayer . p. 826 O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst preach to the spirits in prison, and breaking the gates of brass, and smiting the bars of iron in sunder, didst lead captivity captive; look, we beseech thee, in compassion on those that are holden in bonds or imprisonment, comfort them in all their afflictions, and as thou didst bring Joseph out of his dungeon in Egypt, Daniel from the den of lions, and Peter out of the hands of Herod, so proclaim deliverance unto the captives, and bring them ~ “St. Cyprian’s Bethesda.” S. E. Fox. A Chain of Prayer across the Ages . p. 210.