Global Day of Prayer

THE Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has said that efforts by the National Secular Society to ban prayer at council meetings were a “load of cobblers”.

Speaking after his appearance in front of 10,000 Christians at the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) at West Ham Football Club’s stadium on Sunday, the Mayor said: “Pol iticians, no matter what their beliefs, pray and think about the sacred trust they have been given.”

The Mayor was introduced by the Bishop of Barking, the Rt Revd David Hawkins, who chairs the GDOP. Before leaving the stage, Mr Johnson was prayed for by Steven Clifford, the general director of the Evangelical Alliance. The Mayor told the Church Times that he was “grateful for any kind of inter cession, be it divine or human”.

Stephen Timms, the MP for East Ham, made his first public ap pearance after a knife attack last month.

Worship was led by Graham Kendrick, Noel Robinson, Godfrey Birtill, and Lara Martin. Mr Ken drick said: “It’s a great catalyst to unity. It makes our prayer more powerful. It’s a bit like a birthday party. You get family round and refresh the relationship.”

The atmosphere was celebratory, with a 60-strong gospel choir per forming on one side of the stage and dancers waving flags on the other. A colourfully dressed multi-ethnic children’s choir sang.

In a statement before the event, Bishop Hawkins said that large sig nature events made waves in a city or nation: “Thus the idea of bringing really large numbers of people to gether in the common activity of prayer, and with an intent to go from that place in transformation and community engagement.”

Dr Jonathan Oloyede, the GDOP convener for London, said: “We’ve been praying 24 hours throughout the year. That’s an underground thing. We’re now bringing that to the surface. Its a national canopy of prayer.” Mr Oloyede, who is a con vert from Islam, said that the Salva tion Army was planning a year of prayer in 2012.

Lesley Jones, from All Saints’, Peckham, south London, which was recently featured on Pentecost, a BBC programme shown on Pentecost Sunday, said: “It gave me a sense of hope that the nation can turn back to God, and I felt encouraged by the words that revival can happen in this country. I believe that prayer is effective.”

GDOP London, a movement of daily prayer, is urging one million Christians to pray the Lord’s Prayer at noon every day. It is also en couraging all churches and networks to be part of 500 days of prayer for the UK, from 1 August 2010 until 31 December 2011.

Details at: www.gdoplondon.com

The Real Presence

Corpus Christi (Latin for Body of Christ) is a Western Catholic feast. It is also celebrated in someAnglican and Lutheran churches. It honors the Eucharist, which believers hold to be the actual body and blood of Christ, and as such it does not commemorate a particular event in Jesus' life. It is held on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday or, in some places, on the following Sunday. Its celebration on a Thursday is meant to associate it with institution by Jesus of the Eucharist during the Last Supper, commemorated on Maundy Thursday, and this is the first free Thursday after Paschaltide. In the Ordinary form of the Roman rite of the Catholic Church, the feast is officially known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

In many English-speaking countries, Corpus Christi is transferred to the Sunday after Trinity Sunday by both Catholics and Anglicans. At the end of the Mass, it is customary to have aProcession of the Blessed Sacrament (often outdoors), followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

The Importance of Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer
“The worship given to the Trinity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... must fill our churches also outside the timetable of Masses…This worship must be prominent in all our encounters with the Blessed Sacrament… Adoration of Christ in this sacrament of love must also find expression in various forms of Eucharistic devotion: personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, hours of adoration, periods of exposition – short, prolonged, and annual (Forty Hours) - Eucharistic benediction, Eucharistic processions, Eucharistic Congresses… Let us be generous with our time in going to meet him in adoration and in contemplation that is full of faith and ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease.”
Pope John Paul II

National Day of Prayer

(As we in the UK go to the polls our cousins in the USA turn to prayer)

National Day of Prayer 2010

The 59th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 6, 2010. Millions will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. The theme for this year is “Prayer for Such a Time as This” and is based on the verse from Nahum 1:7 which states: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”

A bit of background and a few facts on the National Day of Prayer might be of interest as we observe this day.

In 1776 the Continental Congress called for prayer, and each step of developing a constitution and a new nation was preceded by prayer. When the Constitutional Convention was at a roadblock in 1787, Benjamin Franklin made a special request for prayer saying, “…I see this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? …I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessing on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning….” (Christian Defense Fund, “One Nation Under God,” 1997, p. 22-24).

Although national days of prayer had long been a part of our history, for many years the U.S. President would declare the observance to be on a day of his choosing. In 1952 President Harry Truman signed a joint resolution of Congress establishing an annual day of prayer. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan and Congress amended the law to designate the first Thursday of every May to be an annual observance. Each year the President signs a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray, and state governors do so as well. President Obama has made such a proclamation this year calling upon the citizens of our nation to pray for their country.

A volunteer coordinator network organizes local, state and federal observances throughout the nation. Observances begin at sunrise in Maine and continue through the day until sunset in Hawaii. There is unity through a theme, scripture and artwork which is developed by the NDP Task Force, but individuals are free to observe the day in their own prayer style. Shirley Dobson, wife of Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family has been the Task Force chairman since early 1990’s. She has volunteered her time as a citizen along with thousands of volunteers across the nation.

WWDP

‘LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE GOD’

On Friday 5th March over 3 million people world wide will be praying and worshipping together during an annual day of prayer, using a service prepared by Christian women in Cameroon.

Emma Wilcock, president of the National Committee of the Women’s World Day of Prayer Movement, said:

'This is always an exciting day as a great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in the Queen Salote Girls’ School in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place, some 35 hours later, in neighbouring Western Samoa. By then the day will have been celebrated in over 170 countries and over 5,000 services will have been held in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.’

The Republic of Cameroon is said to be ‘Africa in miniature’. It is a country of great cultural diversity with more than 240 ethnic groups and languages. The constitution promotes equality between men and women but traditional rights and attitudes discriminate against women in many areas of life. However giant steps have been taken towards assuring women’s rights and women are involved in the struggle for peace, justice and integrity.

Cameroon faces many challenges as its people seek to move forward into a modern age without losing their distinctive characteristics. But at all times, in all circumstances, Cameroonians are able to praise God with joy and exuberance and the service reflects this.

Poster advertising Christian prayer day banned from library

A poster advertising a day of international Christian prayer was banned from a library in case it offended people of other religions.

Staff said council policy prevented them from displaying the poster for Women World Day of Prayer in Kayll Road Library, Sunderland.

A congregation member from St Gabriel Church had hoped to put up the poster but was shocked when she was turned away.Sunderland Council says it is reviewing its guidelines in light of the row.

But religious leaders from all denominations across the city criticised the poster ban as extraordinary and unnecessary.

Adbur Rouf, of Sunderland Mosque, Millfield, said it was hard for him to understand how anyone could find the poster offensive.

He said different religions in Sunderland were now living together, side by side, and have respect for each other faiths.

Founder and chairman of Sunderland Sikh Association, Manjit Chema, said: "This is not the way. This sort of thing creates divides and ghettos of different communities. I would not have found that poster offensive. Different religions need to learn from each other more and be open.

It divides people if they are not open. There is no harm in these religious activities."

Email from Jesus

If you never felt pain, how would you know I am a Healer?
If you never had to pray, How would you know that I am a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial, How could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness, How would you know that I am a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, How would you know that I am a forgiver?

If you knew all, How would you know that I will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue ?

If you never were broken, Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem,How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had a problem,How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never went through the fire, Then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power, Then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect, Then what would you need me for?

Love,
Jesus

One for the angels

The Lord’s Prayer, as carved on the head of a pin by Graham Short (below). Mr Short, a former copper and steel engraver who lives in Birmingham, estimates that the prayer took him about 300 hours to complete. He now intends to engrave a pinhead with part of the first chapter of the Qur’an.

Good Morning

I am God

Today I will be handling your problems.

Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you

that you cannot handle

DO NOT ATTEMPT to resolve it.

Kindly put it in the SFTD

(something for Jesus to do) box.

It will be addressed in MY time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box,

DO NOT hold on to it or attempt to remove it.

Holding on or removal will delay the

Resolution of your problem.

It is a situation that you think you are capable of handling

Please consult me in prayer

to be sure that it is the proper resolution.

Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber,

there is no need for you to lose any sleep

Rest my child.

If you need to contact me,

I am only a prayer away.

Faith Components

St Martin's homily on "woman, you have great faith" from today's gospel (Matthew 15.21-58)":

Fancy being praised by Jesus for your 'great faith'.

Faith has many components and today's gospel highlights two of them.

First, there is 'perseverance', what my grandfather used to call 'stickability' or not giving up at the least discouragement. The Canaanite woman knew what she wanted from Jesus and she wasn't easily put off by his initial silence nor by his apparent rejection.

Secondly, faith is strengthened by the support of others 'the disciples pleaded with Jesus on her behalf' though not from the highest of motives - possibly just to shut her up.

In the Catholic calendar today we recall the dedication of the basilica of S Mary Major in Rome following she was declared 'mother of God' at the Council of Ephesus in 431. In the Anglican calendar we recall Oswald's contribution to the conversion of northern England as king companion of Aidan after his baptism and Christian formation by the monks of Columba on Iona.

He was killed in battle in 642 and celebrated as a Christian martyr.

When we pray to the Lord we can show great faith by our reliance on the help of Mary and the saints, so let's do that.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father:

Lord, teach us how to pray and grant us perseverance -

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, bless your church and give faithfulness in witness to gospel truth and values -

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, save mankind an deliver the world from warfare and injustice -

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, heal the sick in body, mind and spirit both at home and in hospital -

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, grant to the departed your forgiveness, and peace -

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

These prayers we unite with those of Mary, mother of God, and with all the saints -

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers,

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Swine Flu Spirituality

General prayers for the developing situation regarding swine flu

Heavenly Father,

giver of life and health:

comfort and restore those who are sick,

that they may be strengthened in their weakness

and have confidence in your unfailing love;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Creator and Father of all,

we pray for those who are ill.

Bless them, and those who serve their needs,

that they may put their whole trust in you

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An influenza (flu) pandemic happens in the UK, everyone will need to play a part in managing how it affects our society. At such a time, faith communities have an important role. Strong leadership from faith communities is vital when large scale incidents trigger concerns about social cohesion. Moreover, large scale fatalities raise specific issues for faith communities that need to be addressed.

Faith Communities and Pandemic Flu: Guidance for faith communities and local influenza pandemic committees provides valuable guidance on the faith dimension of a flu pandemic. It provides tools and a roadmap for good practice, and should be read alongside the more general emergency planning guidance Key Communities, Key Resources: Faith Communities and Civil Resilience. (June 2008)

The revised document (May 2009) updates previous guidance (issued June 2008) for faith communities on the same issue. It has been drawn up over several months and in consultation with other Government Departments, including Cabinet Office and the Department of Health, as well as the Faith Communities Consultative Council under the chair of Monsignor John Devine of the Catholic Bishops' Conference along with representatives of the Church of England, Methodist Church, British Muslim Forum, Hindu Council UK, Sikhs in England, Agency for Jewish Education and the Inter Faith Network for the UK.

Although the guidance has not been developed as a direct response to the present outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico, it should serve as a useful source of reference to those involved at various levels in all faith communities when considering the impacts that a pandemic will have on society.

The Host Apostolate

(I met the founder yesterday and thought I should do my bit to make this apostolate known)

The Host Apostolate is an Association of Lay Faithful led by Married Couples who, working from their own home bases, wish to lead and encourage others to a life of prayer, especially Adoration of Jesus Present in the Host, Evangelisation and Formation in the pursuit of a life of Holiness, faithful to the Gospel and teaching of the Church. Welcome to The Host Apostolate.

Adoration: Our aim is frequently to spend time in the loving Presence of Jesus and learning how to love Him. This may be in His Presence in the monstrance, in the tabernacle, or at daily Mass. This is a certain way to build a relationship which leads us to adore Him, witness to His Presence, serve Him, and deepen our prayer life. Evangelisation: If we love Jesus, we will want to tell every one about Him and His Church. This GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL, we hope to spread in every possible place and on every occasion, - by the witness of our lives and in the' market place' Tabor is the name we give to this aspect of the Apostolate. (See The Rule for further information). Formation: This aspect applies especially to married couples who wish to form a base house, but also to those who are members or not -- engaged couples, single people, priests, or indeed any one who desires to grow in Holiness and Service. This will be by means of spiritual friendship, teaching and Poustinia (spending time alone with God in Solitude). Any formation will also be responsive to needs as they present themselves. We will be available particularly to any one who feels called to a special Mission in the Church.

(for further information visit www.thehostapostolate.org)

Good Morning

(courtesy of ACS magazine)

I am God

Today I will be handling all of your problems.

Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you

that you cannot handle

DO NOT ATTEMPT to resolve it.

Kindly put it in the SFJTD

(something for Jesus to do) box.

It will be addressed in MY time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box,

DO NOT hold on to it or attempt to remove it.

Holding on or removal will delay the

resolution of your problem.

If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling

please consult me in prayer

to be sure that is the proper resolution.

Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber,

there is no need for you to lose any sleep.

Rest my child.

If you need to contact me,

I am only a prayer away.

Prayer for Favours

Prayer Asking for Favours Through the Intercession of Servant of God Catherine Doherty

All loving Father, through your beloved Son, Jesus, we have been taught to ask for what we need. And through his spouse, our Mother the Church, we have been instructed to pray for one another, and to ask the intercession of your servants, who have fallen asleep in Christ. Therefore, through the intercession of your servant, Catherine Doherty, we ask [here mention your petition.] We ask this for your honour and glory, and in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son Our Lord. Amen.   For private use. Imprimatur: + J. R. Windle, Bishop of Pembroke, May 1, 1993.

Poustinia

Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer

Poustinia — The modern spiritual classic for those seeking the open heart and listening soul of a silent contemplation.

Poustinia, a Russian word, means ‘desert’, a place to meet Christ in silence, solitude and prayer. Catherine Doherty combines her insights into the great spiritual traditions of the Russian Church with her very personal experience of life with Christ.

Men and women who desire communion with God can discover how the poustinia powerfully fulfills their yearning. Readers are invited to leave the noise and harried pace of daily life to enter a place of silence and solitude. Catherine writes from her own experience with refreshing and startling Christian authenticity and a strong personal sense of spiritual authority.

Catherine emphasizes ‘poustinia of the heart,’ an interiorized poustinia, a silent chamber carried always and everywhere in which to contemplate God within. Learn how our desert can be in the marketplace, in the midst of countless conferences, traffic jams, bus trips—or a hospital ward. Written by one who knows by experience, Poustinia brings consolation with its vision of a personal desert that can bloom in simple, profound prayer.

A timeless best-seller, published in 16 foreign editions around the world, Poustinia won the prestigious French Academy Award. The experience of poustinia has become a worldwide phenomenon following its publicity through this popular book.

About the Author

Catherine Doherty used her heritage as a Russian Christian as a matrix for responding to the needs of Christian life and work in the modern world. Her own personal pilgrimage led her to be “poor with the poor Christ” in the slums of Toronto and in Harlem; and later to the establishing of the world-wide Madonna House Apostolate. A dedicated wife and mother, Catherine was also a prolific writer of hundreds of articles, a best-selling author of dozens of books, a renowned national speaker, and a pioneer of social justice. Catherine Doherty's cause for canonization as a saint is now under consideration by the Catholic Church.

Preparing for next Sunday

Feast of Christ the King

LECTIO DIVINA Prayerfully preparing

for the Sunday Mass & praying in particular for our school families

The Gospel for Sunday 23rd November 2008 - The Last Judgment (Matthew 25: 31-46)

Jesus said to his disciples: 'When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me." Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?" And the King will answer, "I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." Next he will say to those on his left hand, "Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me." Then it will be their turn to ask, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?" Then he will answer, "I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me." And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.'

 

 

After spending a few minutes considering this Gospel, continue by reading Fr Henry Wansbrough's reflection.

 

This is the last of Matthew's great parables. The world is finally divided into 'goodies' and 'baddies'. The great dramatic scene here depicted will not necessarily happen all at once, but we shall each of us at the moment of death face the judgment of our divine Lord in his glory. This confrontation will be an experience far more awesome and shattering than any description can express, and yet fulfilling and re-assuring. We will know at last in a naked way our own sin and also our own infinite value to this transcendent figure. Two striking points are stressed in the parable. Firstly, we will be judged uniquely on our treatment of those in any kind of need. Not on our prayer-life. Not on our asceticism or penances undertaken. Only on our respect for others, how far we look to see what they need and what we can give. Each of the ten commandments in the Old Testament, each of the eight beatitudes in the New can be resolved into this: telling the truth, financial honesty, honouring father and mother (or children), hunger for justice, peace-making. The second striking point is the reason for the first: that Christ is in each person. What we do to others, we do to Christ.

Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB.

 

Set aside 10 -15 minutes and create a suitable environment by removing any distractions. Make sure that you are comfortable. Perhaps light a candle. Make the sign of the cross † and remain still for a minute of settling silence.

Call to mind the love that God has for you. Remember that through this scripture our Lord is truly present.

 

Then read the Gospel, preferably aloud and slowly, and pay attention to any words that stand out. If any do, meditate on them for a few minutes and be invited into a dialogue with God.e Wednesday

  is under the patronage of St Joseph, Patron Saint of Families and Protector of the urch

Within the tradition of the Catholic Church, each Wednesday is dedicated to St Joseph

Now slowly and prayerfully read the Gospel once again but this time in silence. Consider how this Gospel could apply to your life in general. Then thank God for any insight you may have received. Conclude by asking God to bless you with one of the following spiritual gifts to help you act on any resolution you have made: love, understanding, wisdom, faithfulness, peace, self control, patience, or joy. Please remember to pray for the Church and particularly our school families.

 

Then conclude by requesting the prayers of Our Lady & St Joseph.

Relax & Remember

www.wednesdayword.org © The Wednesday Word®2008

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A New Resource

A MISSIONARY INITIATIVE FOR THE 21st CENTURY CHURCH Praying for our primary school families. Helping them to pray together, stay together and to grow in the love of our Lord and his Church.
Welcome to the Priests & Parishioners Pages Please click here to download the PARISH VERSION. The Wednesday Word is a national missionary initiative for the 21st Century. Please support The Wednesday Word school mission with your prayers. Specialised resources for primary schools and parish churches, are the focus of this new, Christ centred, weekly custom. To read what parents of Catholic school children are saying about the primary school version of The Wednesday Word please click here to go to the FAMILY FEEDBACK Section. This section of the website is primarily designed to create awareness about the ‘free’, weekly, parish version of The Wednesday Word. Please click here to download the resource. Fr Henry with Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) & Pope John Paul II Fr Henry Wansbrough’s  Sunday Gospel Reflection Dom Henry Wansbrough, a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, writes the weekly Sunday Gospel reflection/commentary for the parishWednesday Word. "This is a splendid and imaginative initiative, to bring the message of the gospel to Christians at home. Even those who don’t go to church have the right to hear and think about the gospel, and The Wednesday Word gives them a chance to do just that. It will also be a great support to know that others all over the country are joining in this reflection” Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB Fr Henry is a monk of Ampleforth Abbey and a world renowned biblical scholar. He was General Editor of the New Jerusalem Bible. Fr Henry recently prepared the CTS Catholic Bible in which he has written an introductory article to each book of the Bible, and has prepared footnotes on the text. He has written twenty books, more than sixty articles, over a thousand book reviews, and produced an edition of the Synoptic Gospels.

Prayer and Solitude

Today is the feast day of St Bruno, founder of the Carthusians.

The Carthusian Order

 

The Order was founded by Saint Bruno in 1084 and comprises a masculine and a feminine branch.At present, the Order is composed of about 450 monks and nuns who live a solitary life at the heart of the Church; there are 24 Houses in three continents, all dedicated exclusively to the contemplative life.

Contemplative monks and nuns

The Carthusians consecrate their lives entirely to prayer and seeking God in the secret of their hearts. They intercede for the Church and for the salvation of the whole world. Their life finds its balance around three axes:silence, solitude, living in cell;prayer in common in the church, three times a day, as well as some fraternal meetings;their own liturgy, adapted to their style of life and the small number of religious.

Solitary life

“Our principal endeavour and goal is to devote ourselves to the silence and solitude of cell…There is the faithful soul frequently united with the Word of God; there is the bride made one with her spouse; there is earth joined to heaven, the divine to the human.”Statutes 4.1

 

All live a very solitary life of prayer and work, in cell for some, while others are more dedicated to the daily tasks of the monastery.

Carthusian solitude is not total, but is balanced by a share of community life, in particular by the conventual Eucharist, the long night vigils and Vespers.

Prayer in your pocket

I picked up a copy in a religious house the other day and thought it was well worth commending, especially as it can be downloaded on the internet:

Beautiful pictures and inspiring prayers from The Methodist Church

New booklet launched at Christian Resources Exhibition.

72% of Britons pray at some point, even though they may not believe in God. But many people struggle with prayer. A new publication from the Methodist Church is encouraging people to pray in all circumstances.Prayer in Your Pocket is a beautifully illustrated 16-page booklet featuring prayers from all over the world. It is a follow-up to the very successful Peace in Your Pocket, 75,000 copies of which were distributed through health clubs, bars and play centres over Christmas and New Year.The Revd Michaela Youngson, Secretary for Pastoral Care and Spirituality, drew prayers from a wide variety of sources to compile the booklet. She says; ‘Prayer is for everyone, but so many of us struggle with it. Prayer in Your Pocket has prayers for times of distress, times of abundance and need, prayer for times of joy. We hope this booklet will empower, uplift and comfort people in their daily lives.’In Prayer in Your Pocket, readers will find prayers old and new. A Kenyan prayer cries out for peace and justice, while Julian of Norwich reminds the reader of God's everlasting love. Some will be familiar, such as the Lord's Prayer from the Gospel of Matthew and others are new, including some written by Michaela.The publication will be launched at the Christian Resources Exhibition, 15-18 May at Sandown Park, Esher. Methodist Church staff will be available at the stand to discuss all aspects of Church work and life.

To purchase copies of Prayer in Your Pocket at £5 for 50, contact MPH: www.mph.org.uk, 01733 325002You can also download a PowerPoint version of Prayer in Your Pocket for use in church services.Download a PDF of Prayer in Your Pocket (3MB - Large file)