As I write this month’s vicar’s letter on a dull Mid-May afternoon I’m thinking about prayer. Not because I am super-holy, but rather because the topic of prayer has been on my mind a lot lately. Now that might not come as a surprise given that at the churches in Madeley and Betley we have weekly services that include prayer, we also have specific times when we gather (online) to pray together.
It also might not come as a surprise given that as a person of faith, I think prayer is a really helpful practice. It’s a practice that connects us with God, allowing us to bring our troubles and worries in the form of ‘help!’ prayers, but it also creates a space for us to enter into quietness and wait on God. (Prayer can also be really loud and filled with movement – but that’s for a different vicar’s letter!)
Actually I’ve been thinking about prayer for three reasons. Firstly, our Alpha group (a place to ask questions about faith) were talking about prayer this week. Secondly, we’ve just had a fantastic online Zoom-Prayer-Room open for 24 hours as part of an initiative called ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. Thirdly, because something I saw recently brought me back to a former prayer practice I used to rely on, and I’m excited to give it a go again. If you see me, feel free to ask me about it.
Prayer seems like such an otherworldly thing. It’s countercultural, it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth trying. Have you tired praying lately? If you haven’t – why not give it a go…
Blessings
Rev Tim
