Phone: 01825 769000 | Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01825 769000 | Email: [email protected]
This year something incredible happened. For only the second time, Spring Harvest was streamed into over 65 prisons across the UK, reaching a potential 57,000 cells. Thousands of men and women, sitting behind locked doors, had the chance to hear the same message of hope, freedom, and new life in Jesus that we shared at Spring Harvest.
We believe the gospel is for everyone. No one is beyond God’s love. No one is written off. Jesus always made space for those who were overlooked, forgotten, or pushed aside… and so should we.
Bringing the good news into prisons is one way we live that out. But it does not stop there. One of the most powerful things we can do is pray. Pray for the people sitting in those cells. Pray for those who are serving their sentences. Pray for those who are preparing for the challenge of starting again on the outside.
The Bible calls us to this. Hebrews 13:3 says,
“Remember those in prison as if you were together with them.”
If that feels like unfamiliar ground, don’t worry. You do not need perfect words. You just need a willing heart. This guide offers some simple, practical ways to pray for people in prison whether they are still inside or preparing to step back into the world.
How to pray for prisoners
Prison life is tough. Many face fear, loneliness, boredom, and regret every single day. Some have no visitors. Others are struggling with their own sense of failure. Pray that they would have the strength to face each day and not give up.
Pray something like:
"Lord, give them the strength to get through today. When everything feels heavy, help them not to lose hope. Fill them with resilience and courage to keep going, one day at a time."
Anxiety, anger, shame, fear, and despair are constant battles in prison. It is easy to become overwhelmed by negative thoughts. Pray for peace - real, deep peace that calms the mind and heart.
You could pray:
"God, quiet the noise in their minds. Take away fear and fill them with Your peace. Let them know they are not forgotten by You. Bring calm where there is chaos and comfort where there is pain."
Even behind bars, relationships are vital. Healthy friendships can bring strength and encouragement, while negative influences can lead people deeper into trouble. Pray that prisoners find supportive friendships, positive influences, and fair treatment from staff.
A simple prayer might be:
"Father, surround them with the right people. Protect them from harm and from bad influences. Help them build friendships that bring hope, support, and encouragement."
Prison can be a place where people begin to face their past honestly and look towards change. But that is not easy. Pray for the courage to reflect, the willingness to change, and the hope to believe that change is possible.
Pray like this:
"Lord, help them be honest about what needs to change. Give them the strength to let go of old patterns and the belief that transformation is possible. Help them take one step at a time towards something better."
When someone is in prison, their family often suffers quietly. Relationships get strained. Children grow up with a parent missing. Loved ones feel shame, grief, or anger. Pray for comfort, healing, and the possibility of restored relationships.
You could pray:
"God, be close to their families. Where there is sadness, bring comfort. Where there is hurt, bring healing. Where there is distance, open the way for forgiveness and fresh starts."
Whether someone is serving a long sentence or preparing for release, having access to the right support makes all the difference. Things like education, addiction recovery, counselling, and spiritual support can change a life. Pray that these opportunities are available and used well.
Pray something like:
"Father, open doors for learning, growth, and recovery. Give them the chance to gain skills, rebuild confidence, and prepare for a new future. Provide the right support at the right time."
Stepping back into the world after prison is daunting. Many face homelessness, unemployment, broken relationships, stigma, and the temptation to fall back into old ways. Pray that they will find strength, safe places to live, and people who will support their new start.
A prayer could be:
"God, go ahead of them as they leave prison. Help them find safe housing, steady work, and good people who will stand with them. Give them courage to leave the past behind and take hold of a better future."
Perhaps the most powerful thing someone can discover, whether in prison or outside, is that their life still matters and that God has a plan for them. Pray that they know they are not finished, not forgotten, and not beyond hope.
You could pray:
"Lord, show them that their story is not over. Help them to see that You have a purpose for them. Fill them with hope that their life can still be meaningful and that good things are still possible."
Praying for people in prison is not about excusing the harm that may have been done. It is about remembering that no one is beyond God’s mercy. Every person is more than their worst mistake.
Jesus never turned away from those society tried to forget. He reached for the broken, the hurting, the outcast, and the ashamed.
When we pray for people in prison, we join in that same heartbeat of compassion. We believe that change is possible. That redemption is real. That no one is beyond the reach of grace.
And when we pray, something shifts - both in the lives of those we pray for and in our own hearts too.
Praying for people in prison is simple, but powerful. You do not need perfect words or special knowledge. Just an open heart and a willingness to stand in the gap for someone who needs hope.
And who knows - your prayer today might be the first step in someone’s story of redemption.
If you would like to learn more about how Spring Harvest works to bring the Gospel into UK prisons Tap or Click here
