Praying outside the box

PRAYER is central to the Christian life, but how and where do you pray? And could your prayer life benefit from fresh ideas from other traditions of prayer?

Most of us pray in our churches, some pray in cathedrals and retreat houses, others in quiet gardens or in specially designated 'prayer rooms' or 'prayer corners' in our homes.

But what about praying in our commercial centres, our banks, shopping malls, fitness clubs and cinemas,
factories, offices, schools, colleges and pubs?

A diocesan team, chaired by Rt. Revd David Hawkins, the Bishop of Barking, in his capacity as lead Bishop on Mission and Parish Development, has been considering 'where and how' questions about prayer.

Out of these discussions has come the concept of six 'Prayer Hearings' across the diocese. The venues are spread across the diocese, and, although all are very different, they do share one characteristic: they are not
the type of place where prayer normally happens...

The idea of these Prayer Hearings is two fold - 'to listen to and wait on God' in places where prayer is less common and to explore different ways of prayer with the encouragement of all those present.

Each of the hearings will start with a look at the context of the venue and will incorporate thoughts on the experience of prayer, how it feels to pray in that context and of course, there will be prayer too - both open and led.

Revd. Paul Bowtell, Bishop David's PA and Chaplain, says:"The prayer hearings are exclusively for everyone!
They are for those who find it easy to pray, and for those who don't; for those who have given up on prayer and
those who have yet to discover its delights."

Bishop David adds: "There are a wealth of spiritual wells from which we draw. The first 300 years of our Christian history in Britain was inspired by missionary monks and nuns; some of that inspiration we have retained, but much we have lost. These Hearings are an opportunity to learn afresh from these monastic values, to draw upon them and to share living water with one another."

The Prayer Hearings will take place between 8pm and 9.30pm as follows:

April 26: Harlow Civic Centre
The Water Gardens, Harlow.
Contact: 01279 444 292.

May 16: Newham Town Hall
Barking Road, East Ham
Contact: 020 8471 8751

June 14: The Bowling Green,
The Downs, Great Dunmow
Contact: 01245 359 138

July 5: Lakeside Shopping
Centre, West Thurrock.
Contact: 01708 727 635

September 18: The Cliff,
Hamlet Road, Southend-on-
Sea. Contact: 07765 857 320.

November 21: Colchester -
watch The Month for details.

Contact: 01245 359 138

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