Praying together, and from where we are
praying, exploring, and sharing
Everything we do is grounded in prayer -- recognising that the God who made us and loves us is intimately concerned with the practical realities of our day to day life. Prayer looks different for many people -- why not try out a few ways and see what works for you?
Patterns of Prayer
We recognise that we all have different shapes to our lives right now. So it is hard to align our diaries to meet in person to pray. Therefore, we invite you to join in the pattern that Beth and Stephen are using this term, while pausing and praying each day at a time and place that works for you
We don't have a "church building" here in Northstowe, so our many of our events take place in the everyday places we find ourselves. Some are in people's homes. Others are in hired community spaces, often the Primary School. Some things happen in the park! Contact us if you need venue updates.
Mondays
MONDAY PRAYER PROMPT: Start the day (from wherever you are) praying for The Pathfinder C of E Primary School, as well as the schools on the Northstowe Education Campus, and those known to you.
Tuesdays
TUESDAY PRAYER PROMPT: Pause at lunchtime to pray (from wherever you are) with a particular focus on the needs of those around us. Prayer During the Day (see Join us in a service of Daily Prayer or Time to Pray app) on Tuesday often concludes “May Christ our redeemer bring us healing and wholeness.”
Wednesdays
WEDNESDAY PRAYER PROMPT: Over your morning cuppa, why not pray (from wherever you are) for our Northstowe community. If you are in the Interim Community Space you might see Beth or Stephen – do exchange prayer requests with them if you do!
Thursdays
THURSDAY PRAYER PROMPT: Why not dispense with words, and try listening for God in the Silence? You might like to join Compline too (see below)
Compline [Night Prayer] (Fortnightly, 8-9pm)
Once a fortnight during Term we gather - often at Revd Beth or Revd Stephen's homes, sometimes around a campfire (weather permitting), to weave extended periods of silence (using the Northstowe Sandtimers) into the ancient poetic "service of Completion" - Compline, also known as Night Prayer. Message us to confirm the venue. or join the Compline Broadcast List on WhatsApp (not a group-chat - just GDPR secure updates)- Please arrive from 8pm (not before)
- Prayer start at 8.15pm,
- Concludes by 9pm, at which point we leave in silence - giving the option for the last words of the day being addressed to God.
[This has evolved from the previous "Chicken Soup for the Soul" gatherings]
Fridays
This is the normal Rest Day for our Ministers.
FRIDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: As (for some!) the school and working week draws to an end, reflect on where you have noticed God this week. How might you record that - in a journal? Colouring? Conversation with a friend?
Useful Prayer Resources
Ten Minutes of Silence with our Northstowe Sand Timer
Centering Prayer (one way to pray with Silence)
‘Choose a sacred word as a symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within – e.g. Lord, Jesus, Father, Kyrie, Abba, Love, Peace, Mercy. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word. When you become aware of thoughts, return ever so gently to the sacred word. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.’ [adapted from Thomas Keating, Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer, Crossroad Publishing, 1996].
Useful Prayer Apps and Prayer Podcasts
Lectio 365 - Lectio 365 is a free daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible every day. There is also an excellent Families edition
Church of England Daily Prayer - Access web-based full-text versions of CofE Services of Daily Prayer, which are available in both Contemporary (Common Worship) and Traditional (Book of Common Prayer) forms and for all times of the day. Audio files are also available. With links to Time to Pray and Daily Prayer Apps.
Church of England Daily Prayer - Access web-based full-text versions of CofE Services of Daily Prayer, which are available in both Contemporary (Common Worship) and Traditional (Book of Common Prayer) forms and for all times of the day. Audio files are also available. With links to Time to Pray and Daily Prayer Apps.
Celtic Daily Prayer - online resources from the Northumbria Community (abbreviated from their excellent published books with a cycle of prayers and readings)
Pray as you go - Pray As You Go is a daily, audio prayer app that helps you to encounter God wherever you are. This will help you to pray whenever you find the time, but particularly whilst travelling to and from work or study.
Pray as you go - Pray As You Go is a daily, audio prayer app that helps you to encounter God wherever you are. This will help you to pray whenever you find the time, but particularly whilst travelling to and from work or study.
Pathfinder Church, Northstowe
