Deprivation
Hope must surely be the ultimate deprivation: no hope for the future,
no assurance of love, friendship, or fulfilling relationships and no resurrection hope.
Life in these circumstances breeds mindless shopping at best and destruction of others’ lives at worst.
St Paul wrote that ‘by hope were we saved’, and so, if saved,
let us bring to mind’s eye and heart’s care all those deprived of hope.
May we rise to any opportunity to provide help and hope.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbour, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”, when you have it with you.
Proverbs 3: 27-28
Female prisoners in Durham were lacking direction and hope. The local Mothers’ Union were approached
by the prison warden and members set up a Mothers Union branch there.
With backing from the prison chaplain, they meet monthly and have gathered 15 new members.
Their unconditional love and concern have given the women hope for the future.
