Prayer Mates

Prayer Mates is one of our oldest programs, and is a way for people to get involved in our mission and directly help someone who is incarcerated.

PrayerMates: A Spiritual Bridge of Grace and Connection - Spiritual Penpals for the Incarcerated
PrayerMates is more than a program—it’s a lifeline. A quiet ministry of restoration that offers connection, encouragement, and hope to individuals who are incarcerated. Through handwritten letters exchanged via CentrePeace, spiritual penpals share prayer requests, devotions, scriptures, gardening and cooking tips—and even artwork. One community partner’s children regularly send hand-colored pictures, which have become treasured gifts to their incarcerated friend.

To protect privacy, last names and locations remain anonymous. All correspondence is reviewed and forwarded through CentrePeace, ensuring safety and confidentiality while nurturing genuine connection.

Over the past six years, we’ve watched these relationships blossom. For many participants, it’s the first time they’ve felt spiritually seen, heard, and supported. And the need is great—we currently have a waiting list of 19 incarcerated individuals hoping for a community partner.

What PrayerMate Partners Say About the Program
“Jay and I have been writing to each other for over six years now. We share prayer requests, scriptures, stories about our lives—not allowed to share our last names or locations—and my children love to color pictures to send to him at the holidays. I told him about my garden and all that I was growing and how I planned to can and cook some of the things I grew. I live on a farm, he grew up in the city, and he’s asked a lot of questions about farm life. I’ve asked him about growing up in the city. I started this program to spiritually encourage someone—and I got a friend out of it.” —Annie

“Annie and I have been writing for a long time. Each time I’ve moved to a different State Correctional Facility, I’ve worried about getting her letters. But CentrePeace always finds me and sends them. Because of Annie telling me about her garden and the things she makes, I decided to take a cooking class. I’ve even shared some recipes with her. Her letters, colored pages from her children, prayers, and scriptures are a bright spot in a dark place.” —Jay

Restoration Through Relationship
PrayerMates reminds each person that they are not forgotten—and that grace can travel through even the simplest envelope. It’s a ministry of presence, of listening, of lifting one another up across walls and miles.

We need more partners. If you feel called to offer spiritual encouragement through writing, we invite you to become part of this sacred work. Some of these individuals have been waiting for 4 years. Please consider becoming a partner today. If you would like to participate in Prayer Mates, contact Barbara at barbara@centrepeace.org.