O God of Mercy and Compassion
You know the brokenness and the pain
common to all humanity.
We lift up to you all prisoners.

In the midst of their aloneness
and dark despair,
bless them with the freedom of hope
and kind companionship.

In the depth of their fears and anxieties
bless them with the freedom of courage and peace
to calm their minds, hearts and souls.

In the restlessness of their anger and powerlessness
bless them with the freedom of asserting
their own power to care for themselves.

In the face of their burden of guilt
bless them with the freedom to forgive themselves
for hurting themselves and for hurting others,
to forgive others who have hurt them,
and to seek forgiveness from others
whom they have hurt.

In the turmoil of their feelings
of self-loathing and self- worthlessness,
bless them with the freedom of knowing
their own goodness and value as loveable and loving people.

We make our prayer through Jesus
the Holy One who sought to free captives
so that they too may have life
and have it to the full. Amen.

Adrianna Volana
Australia, 2001