A second prison has been praying as part of the Kingdom Come: UK and Ireland Year of Prayer. After the success of HMP Pentonville’s 24-7 week in January, which helped to launch KC:UK, HMP Whatton has got on board.

Kirsty McIntyre from ‘Caring for Ex -Offenders & Alpha for Prisons’ writes: “HMP Whatton in Nottingham, a category C prison for male sex-offenders, recently held a KC:UK event in the prison chapel. Over 50 men attended throughout the day to join in prayer and there were opportunities to offer prayers of thanksgiving, intercession and confession.

The chaplain, Rev Jo Honour, expressed what a great day it was, saying there were some ‘wonderful, creative ways of praying and lots of enthusiasm for another event’.

Men were given the chance to write prayers of thanks to God for what He has done in their lives and to place them on a ‘thanksgiving vine’ and they also planted sunflower seeds. Prayers of confession were put face-down on a cross which was then taken by the chaplain and prayed over by a local church before being burned. There was a graffiti wall on which men could write down prayers too.

The chapel orderly said that the highlight of the day was the prayer room where fairy lights were put up. Both the chapel band and the chapel choir contributed to the event.”

If you are interested in mobilising your Church to pray for prisoners, or mobilising a prison you are closely connected with to pray, please download these useful guides from the KC:Toolbox, written by ‘Caring for Ex-Offenders,’ in consultation with Alpha and 24-7 Prayer.

‘How to Pray 24-7 in a Prison’ | ‘How to Pray for Prisons in 60 minutes’ | ‘Praying in Prison for 60 minutes’