Pray for Prisoners
why should we
Pray for Prisoners
We are called to pray for prisoners as a direct response to Jesus’ teachings on mercy, the dignity of every human person, and the command to love our neighbor—even the marginalized and forgotten. This isn’t optional charity; it flows from core Catholic doctrine in Scripture, the Works of Mercy, and the Church’s consistent teaching.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus describes the final judgment and says: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25:35-36).
He continues: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:45).
When we pray for prisoners, we are “visiting” Christ Himself in them. Neglecting them means neglecting Jesus. The Church sees this as non-negotiable—prisoners are not beyond God’s love or our concern.
“Visit the imprisoned” is one of the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. Physical visits are ideal where possible, but prayer is the universal way every we can participate.
Praying for the living and asking for their conversion, forgiveness, and rehabilitation is a Spiritual Work of Mercy. Many Catholics explicitly state: “To visit the imprisoned is a Corporal Work of Mercy and to pray for them is also a Spiritual Work of Mercy.”
These Works of Mercy are how we imitate Christ’s mercy and prepare for eternal life.
Catholic teaching insists that imprisonment does not erase the image of God in a person. Prisoners remain brothers and sisters in Christ, capable of repentance and redemption—just like the “Good Thief” (St. Dismas) crucified beside Jesus, who was promised paradise (Luke 23:39-43). Prayer acknowledges their dignity and asks God to draw them closer to Him.
SYMBOLS
[℣] Leader [℟] Response [Ⱥ] All together
SIGN OF THE CROSS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL INTENTION MENTION IT HERE
Loving and Merciful God, from whom no secret of the heart is hidden, who knows the just and makes upright the guilty, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters held in prison; grant that through patience and hope they may find relief in their hardship and soon return liberated to their families. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Mother of Sorrows, pray for us!
St Dismas, patron of prisoners, pray for us!
St Maximilian Kolbe, patron of prisoners, pray for us!
LORD’S PRAYER
[℣] Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your WILL be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. [℟] Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
HAIL MARY
[℣] Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. [℟] Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
GLORIA
[℣] Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. [℟] As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
CONCLUDE WITH PSALM 68: 5-7a (Optional)
Sing to God, sing praise to his name; exalt him who rides upon the clouds. Rejoice in the presence of this God whose name is Yahweh. The Father of orphans and the defender of widows: such is God in his holy dwelling place. He gives a home to those who are forsaken and leads out prisoners amid chants of exultation…
[℣] May the divine assistance remain always with us, [℟] and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. [Ⱥ] Amen.
SIGN OF THE CROSS
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.