A Still Small Voice
In a recent survey of Anglicans it was revealed that only about 20% of church people say their prayers every day. Bishop Mark took this as his challenge for Lent, to see if we could encourage some more to make prayer an everyday part of our lives. That’s where the “Still Small Voice” event , on February 25th at St Andrew’s, has come from. He has invited people from all the surrounding churches to gather together to explore why prayer might be important, not only for us, but for our world!
So why does it matter if we pray every day? Isn’t it enough just to come to church on Sunday, or to pray when we really need something? I remember a story of a sea captain caught in a storm, and battling at the wheel to keep the ship pointed into the wind. The passengers were crying and praying to God to save them, and they called out to the captain – why aren’t you praying? He answered them – I did my praying this morning, now it’s my job to hold the ship to its course! Prayer to the captain was an everyday thing, regular as a heartbeat, regular as breathing. Prayer wasn’t about a cry for help, but part of a relationship with God. This steady pattern is what gave him his confidence, to put his fear to one side and to concentrate on his job, to use his whole being to save the ship.
If prayer is about a relationship – then it really matters if we pray regularly. If we want to develop a friendship, it matters if we talk, and listen to our friend; it’s about getting to know God. If we only bother speaking when we want something, it’s not much of a relationship! Coming to church on Sunday is great, but it is only the tip of the iceberg!
So I want to encourage you to try praying every day – why not make it your Lent promise? Why not come along to “Still Small Voice, sign up for some of the experiences that are on offer, and give it a try? It runs from 10 to 12.30 on Saturday 25th February at St Andrew’s Church.
For more information visit: http://www.a-still-small-voice.org/
In a recent survey of Anglicans it was revealed that only about 20% of church people say their prayers every day. Bishop Mark took this as his challenge for Lent, to see if we could encourage some more to make prayer an everyday part of our lives. That’s where the “Still Small Voice” event , on February 25th at St Andrew’s, has come from. He has invited people from all the surrounding churches to gather together to explore why prayer might be important, not only for us, but for our world!
So why does it matter if we pray every day? Isn’t it enough just to come to church on Sunday, or to pray when we really need something? I remember a story of a sea captain caught in a storm, and battling at the wheel to keep the ship pointed into the wind. The passengers were crying and praying to God to save them, and they called out to the captain – why aren’t you praying? He answered them – I did my praying this morning, now it’s my job to hold the ship to its course! Prayer to the captain was an everyday thing, regular as a heartbeat, regular as breathing. Prayer wasn’t about a cry for help, but part of a relationship with God. This steady pattern is what gave him his confidence, to put his fear to one side and to concentrate on his job, to use his whole being to save the ship.
If prayer is about a relationship – then it really matters if we pray regularly. If we want to develop a friendship, it matters if we talk, and listen to our friend; it’s about getting to know God. If we only bother speaking when we want something, it’s not much of a relationship! Coming to church on Sunday is great, but it is only the tip of the iceberg!
So I want to encourage you to try praying every day – why not make it your Lent promise? Why not come along to “Still Small Voice, sign up for some of the experiences that are on offer, and give it a try? It runs from 10 to 12.30 on Saturday 25th February at St Andrew’s Church.
For more information visit: http://www.a-still-small-voice.org/
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