From the Vicarage - October
“For one special week every year (since the 1970s), we Turn the World on its Head, and get Prisoners praying for Prison Officers Victims praying for Offenders’ Families Judges praying for Prison Leavers Prison Officers praying for Probation Officers Communities affected by Crime praying for Those in Prison with the Church praying for them all, and we would like you to join in…”
If you follow the link www.prisonsweek.org/new-to-prisons-week/ you will find a short, but punchy, little video sharing this news, from those who plan for this special week! There is no denying that the whole business of prisons and prisoners is big national news - whether it be the claim that the prison system is on the brink of total collapse or that there is a total breakdown of law and order, the news that thousands of prisoners are being released early in order to free up space in our overcrowded prisons, or reports of the present flow of offenders passing through the courts (some as young as 12 and 13) following the disturbing and destructive events of this summer, and many still awaiting sentencing. All of that is big news, and we will each have our own opinions on it.
But what of the news that people are praying in the ways described above, and turning the world on its head as they do so? When did we last pray for the people we have negative or difficult feelings towards, or for those who have hurt us, or hurt those we love, or harmed the comfort and peacefulness of the life we choose and value? None of that necessarily comes easily or naturally. It turns many of our natural inclinations on their head, it turns them inside out and back to front! It can also mean that far from praying only with the desire to change the outcome of something beyond us, we will also be praying in order to change something within us – our understandings and attitudes, prejudices and perceptions. If you would like to give that kind of ‘turning the world on its head’ prayer a go, then take a closer look at the Prisons Week website or let me know that you would like to receive a leaflet of resources for prayer and reflection this Prisons Week (October 8th -14th), and I will do my best to get one to you.
Carolyn (Vicar)
NB - A reminder that at St Oswald’s we help support the In2Out Charity working at our local Wetherby YOI which offers young offenders a listening ear, shares life-skills, and provides a mentoring programme as they leave to make a fresh start. We are grateful to those who respond at those seasonal times when we ask for you to join us in very practical ways to show we care.