Amnesty International writes “Imagine being locked away, alone, not knowing if anyone cares where you are. Now imagine receiving a letter from someone, telling you they believe in you. That’s what real letters can do: bring hope to people in the direst of situations. When letters arrive in huge numbers, they are also an unmistakable reminder to prison authorities and others that the world is watching.”
They offer this prayer
Prayer For Prisoners – Amnesty International
Lord Jesus, you experienced in person torture and death
as a prisoner of conscience.
You were beaten and flogged and sentenced to an agonizing death
though you had done no wrong.
Be now with prisoners of conscience throughout the world.
Be with them in their fear and loneliness, in the agony of physical and mental torture, and in the face of execution and death.
Stretch out your hands in power to break their chains.
Be merciful to the oppressor and the torturer, and place a new heart within them.
Forgive all injustice in our lives, and transform us to be instruments of your peace,
for by your wounds we are healed.
Amen
SBC's writing group met to send greetings to prisoners, and appeals for justice to authorities across the world. We wrote 28 letters and cards in total in one evening. If you would like to send a message of hope or a message of protest, please conatct Mark or Sue Thompson.
This year the focus is on 9 people and groups from Angola to Vietnam. We continue to hold them all in our thoughts and prayers.