Bishop Debbie introduces our Year of Prayer
At the start of this year, my prayer is that each one of us will take time over the coming months to deepen our prayer life – perhaps to join a study group, to try different ways of praying, to experiment with silence or spend time in nature, to be willing to lead intercessions, to offer prayer to our friends and neighbours….. It doesn’t matter what we do, the key thing is to recognise that restlessness in our hearts that can only find peace when we spend time with God. +Debbie
Events
Preparation Courses to run your own Prayer Course
In order to prepare those who value the opportunity to share the bounty of prayer with others within their own church family and beyond, the Mission Team are offering two preparation courses (online using Zoom):
How to run a Pilgrim Prayer Course-Wednesday 22 January 7pm Click here for more information and booking
How to run The Prayer Course-Monday 27 January 7pm Click here for more information and booking
Diocesan Lent Courses
During Lent the Mission Team will lead two online prayer courses, using the Pilgrim Prayer Course, and The Prayer Course. Sessions will include simple liturgy, reflection on passages of scripture, video content, time in breakout groups to discuss, questions, and of course, prayer.
The Prayer Course will take place on Wednesday 12, 19, 26 March and 2, 9 April from 7 - 8.30pm Click here for more information and booking
The Pilgrim Prayer Course will take place on Monday 10, 17, 24, 31 March and 7 April Click here for more information and booking
Prayer Study Day
In a change to our normal Bible Day, we will be holding a Prayer Study Day on Saturday 8 March at Caroline Chisholm School in Northampton.
The day will have two main talks with our key speaker Bishop John Stroyan, as well as a panel discussion focusing on both individual prayer and praying for others.
The day is free to attend. Click here for more information and booking
Clergy Quiet Days
This is a series of three quiet days offered to clergy as an opportunity to take time out and prepare for Holy Week and Easter.
There will be reflections led by Bishop Debbie, with time for personal reflection in the Palace. Click here for more information and booking
Book recommendations
There are many books on prayer, but you may find these useful during this year:
| John Pritchard | How to Pray |
| The Intercessions Handbook | |
| Stephen Cottrell | Prayer: Where to start and how to keep going |
| Praying by heart: The Lord’s Prayer for everyone | |
| Michael Baughen | The Prayer Principle |
| Henri Nouwen | You are the Beloved |
| Pete Greig | How to Pray: a simple guide for normal people |
| God on Mute | |
| Red moon rising: rediscover the power of prayer | |
| Northumbria Community | Celtic Daily Prayer |
School Prayers
Every week this year, one of our schools is writing a prayer to be shared with all our schools during collective worship.
Please find below the prayer for week beginning January 20th which comes from Bishop Stopford (Secondary) School.
Accept, we ask thee O Lord, the old and the new in this school and use it in all things according to thy will.
May thy presence be ever within its walls; may it always stand for all that is true, noble, lovely and of good report.
May all who come here so gain from its life that they may bless thee for its foundation; may its good work be extended and continued for generations yet to come.
For Christ’s sake
Amen