Speed dial prayers

Who do you call when life feels heavy?

Whether we speak over the phone or reach out by text, most of us have our constants—the people we turn to when life gets tough. Those who can lift our spirits, even from miles away. The ones on speed dial.

Sometimes, simply knowing that someone is at the other end of the phone can bring great comfort. Even if we don’t quite manage to pick the phone up—just knowing is enough.

For many of us, that constant comes from God. We know the power of prayer. He is always near, always listening.

Since 2020, our Prayer Line has been that constant for people in prison. And, thanks to people like you, over the past few years, we have journeyed alongside those serving prison sentences—through moments of hope, hardship and everything in between. Every prayer has been heard. Every caller has been lifted up to God.

For some in prison, Prayer Line really is the number on speed dial—a way of standing together in prayer when the weight feels too heavy to carry alone.

It is a privilege to hear these prayers from prison.

Dev called from his cell, where he spends up to 20 hours a day locked away. He shared how he recently got through the cold weather by breathing on his window and drawing on the mist—a small act of hope in deep isolation. He wanted simply to thank God for air, for the breath that keeps him going.

Ben tried to leave a message, but the noise on the wing overwhelmed him. Doors clanged. Voices shouted. His prayer came out broken and unfinished. Yet our volunteers lifted him up, trusting that God would hear the groanings of his heart.

Then there was Malik. He called sounding deeply distressed, whispering for most of the call. He asked to be left alone, yet longing to know God. He said he couldn’t take much more. But through that lonely whisper, hundreds of volunteers surrounded him in prayer.

And Rachel rang—not to ask, but to sing. A song about being held in someone’s arms.

One of our devoted Prayer Line Co-ordinators recently reminded me: ‘We are created for connection and community—but people in prison are isolated.’

That isolation is profound. Many people in prison have no one to call, no one to visit them. And evenfor those who do, most of their time is still spent alone—separated from everyone they love.

Through Prayer Line, our trained volunteers offer a holding presence: listening without judgement, praying without hurry and creating space for emotions that may have never been spoken aloud. Behind every call is a human being—someone’s son, someone’s daughter. When we pray, we are holding in prayer not just a person in prison, but their family, too.

One Prayer Line caller shares, ‘This is an amazing line that you’ve set up, and I’ve told other prisoners who are believers to contact you. Thank you for praying.’

Because of the generosity of people like you, when someone in prison calls Prayer Line, there is a team ready to hold them in prayer. Whether the prayer is one of praise or lament; whether it’s whispered or drowned out by noise—Prayer Line means no one has to carry it alone.

Could I ask you today to consider supporting this work? Your gift will help train more Prayer Line volunteers and sustain our wider ministry with people in prison, so no prayer goes unheard and no one is forgotten.

Your generosity helps keep this constant in place for those who have no one else to call—keeping Prayer Line on speed dial for all who need it.

P.S. PF would love you to share a prayer for people in prison, by clicking here. These prayers will be featured in our Prayer Diary this year, as together we continue to lift those in prison to our faithful God. Your prayers matter deeply to those inside. 

*Please note: All images are of models.