PRAYER
 

 

Prayer is the life-blood of the church community - the means by which we speak to God and one of the key ways in which we believe God speaks to us. This should always make prayer a privilege and a joy.

Because God cares, we must care - especially for those who face hardship or feel burdened, whatever the cause. One way we show our care and demonstrate God's love is by praying regularly for those in need. We therefore welcome prayer requests and pray for people by name both on Sunday and Wednesday mornings. For details of how to leave a request, please click here.

Usually, only names are read out in order to protect privacy. When sending in names for prayer it is important to always check with that person that they are happy to be prayed for in this way.

Anita Patterson Peppers (Agency:Dreamstime.com

Prayers for Healing

We offer special prayers for healing and wholeness at our Wednesday 10am service on the first Sunday of each month.

In addition to offering to God the prayer requests given to us, there is also the opportunity to be anointed with oil. "Is there anyone who is sick? He should send for the church elders, who will pray for him and rub olive-oil on him in the name of the Lord" (James 5.14).

We offer this same ministry at an evening service each year on the anniversary of St. Luke (the physician).

Private Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation)

A little known but valuable aid to prayer is to make confession privately to a priest. Traditionally this is done during Holy Week in preparation for Easter but can be asked for at any time.

Where we feel burdened by guilt it can be enormously healing to speak honestly and openly about our failings (in strict confidentiality) and then receive counsel and absolution.

If you would like to make a private confession please contact Nick or a priest from another parish if this feels easier.

The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic

Teaching on Prayer

Finally, we regularly offer teaching on prayer. Sometimes it might be a course specifically on prayer but more often it forms part of our Lent Course, the Alpha Course, 3D Course or home group material.

Seeing people grow in this area of discipleship is always such a delight - we look forward to welcoming you on a course.