Lord Jesus,

    You were in prison, found guilty when you were innocent,

    You were executed as traitor when in fact you were Savior.

To you who died to set all free we pray for:

    All makers of the laws of the land,

         that they do so with reason and compassion.

    All interpreters of the law – judges, lawyers –

        that they be fair, honest and impartial.

    All administrators of the law – prison guards and superintendents – 

        that they be merciful in their firmness.

    All prisoners – that they may know that you are in prison with them,

        in their homes with their loved ones,

        and that in you is their hope.

    Though bound, may they be perfectly free in you and in your service.

 

John B. Coburn, 1914- 2009, Bishop of Massachusetts

 

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Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
   the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.