Pathways of Prayer

We have been away overnight to share a celebration meal to mark our grandaughter's 21st birthday. Travel arrangements meant we could only access worship this morning via BBC Radio in our hotel bedroom. We were more than pleased to be with the Bromley Salvationists as they launched us into a Lenten series with an experience of their tradition of Christian spirituality.

Sunday Worship
BBC Radio 4
Sundays08:10 - 08:50

Reflecting the season, BBC Radio 4's Sunday Worship will take up the theme of Pathways of Prayer in partnership with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) who are providing a study guide and complementary materials on their website.

Each service will use prayers and music drawn from one of six varied pathways of Christian spirituality.

Programmes

Sunday 10 February
From the Salvation Army Corps in Bromley, Kent, Sunday Worship explores the Holiness tradition of Christian spirituality. The preacher is Salvation Army Commissioner and Moderator of the Free Churches, Betty Matear.
Gospel reading: Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus in Gethsemane
Old Testament reading: Psalm 51, David prays out of brokenness

Sunday 17 February
Sunday Worship explores the spirituality of social justice. The service comes from St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, and the preacher is the General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Revd Canon Bob Fyffe.
Gospel reading: Matthew 21:12-17, Jesus clears the temple
Old Testament reading: Habakkuk 1:2-7, 3:17-19, Habakkuk's complaint

Sunday 24 February
From the Church of St Philip and St James, Holywood, County Down, Sunday Worship explores the devotional spirituality of the evangelical tradition. The sermon is from the Right Reverend Kenneth Clarke, The Church of Ireland Bishop of Kilmore.
Gospel reading: John 17:1-8, Jesus prays for his disciples
Complementary reading: Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul prays for the church

Sunday 2 March
Sunday Worship comes from St David's Cathedral in Wales and explores the sacramental tradition in prayer. It is led by the Dean, the Very Revd Wyn Evans. The preacher is the Bishop of St David's, The Rt Revd Carl Cooper.
Gospel reading: John 13:1-14, Jesus washes his disciples' feet
Old Testament reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-18, Hannah's prayer at the temple

Sunday 9 March
Sunday Worship takes the form of a meditation by Dr Nicholas Buxton, recorded during a visit to St Antony's Monastary in Egypt's eastern desert. The programme explores the devotional spirituality of the monastic tradition. In 2005 Nick Buxton was one of the retreatants who spent 40 days at Worth Abbey for the BBC2 series The Monastery. After a profound experience there, Nick Buxton offered himself for ordination.
Gospel reading: Matthew 19:16-22, A Rich Young Man
Old Testament reading: Psalm 46, God, our refuge and strength

Sunday 16 March
On Palm Sunday, Sunday Worship explores the spirituality of the charismatic movement. From the Church of God of Prophecy in Winson Green, Birmingham. The preacher is Bishop Dr Joe Aldred.
Gospel reading: Matthew 21:1-11, Jesus enters Jerusalem
Old Testament reading: 2 Samuel 6:1-23, David dances before the ark