Our relationship with God is the foundation of everything we are, say and do, so prayer, in all its many forms, is at the heart of our life together at St Mary’s.
What is prayer?
Put simply, prayer is spending time with God. It is talking to him, and listening to him, just as we would with someone we love. We can thank him, tell him what is on our hearts, say sorry, ask for help for ourselves and others, or simply be still in his presence.
There is no right or wrong way to pray, and you don’t need special words. Some people pray every day at the same time; others pray as they go about their day. However you do it, it is your way of being with God, and that is what matters.
Some ideas to help you pray
- With the Bible: find a quiet spot, sit in a comfortable chair with your Bible, read a short passage slowly, then spend some time praying about what you have read. Many of us at St Mary’s pray this way.
- With the Lord’s Prayer: the prayer Jesus taught his friends. Say it slowly, pausing on each line to think about what it means for you today.
- With a simple pattern: start by praising God, then say sorry for anything that is on your conscience, give thanks for the good things in your life, and finally pray for the needs of others and yourself.
- In stillness: sit quietly for a few minutes, breathe slowly, and simply rest in God’s presence without needing to say anything at all.
- On the move: pray as you walk, enjoying God’s creation around you, or for the people and places you pass.
- By writing: keep a prayer journal, writing your prayers down and looking back to see how they have been answered.
- With others: join a prayer triplet, the prayer line or one of our prayer gatherings below. Praying with others can be a real encouragement.
The Church of England also has lots of helpful resources, including daily prayers you can follow. Find today’s prayer from the Church of England.
Praying together at St Mary’s
Parish Prayer meeting
A monthly prayer meeting held at St Mary’s House, usually on the first Tuesday of the month from 7.30 to 8.30pm. We gather to bring the needs and work of our church and the wider community before God.
Prayer ministry on Sundays
After our Sunday morning Service, members of our prayer ministry team are available in St Peter’s Chapel, within St Mary’s Church, to pray with anyone who is carrying a burden and would like help to bring it to God.
Prayer line
When urgent needs arise, we alert our prayer line team, who will pray for the situation straight away. To ask for prayer, call the Parish Office on 01237 472551 (9am to 12 noon, Monday to Thursday), or contact one of our clergy at other times.
Prayer triplets
Many of our church family meet regularly in threes to pray for one another, offering support, encouragement and accountability as they grow in faith. If you would like to be part of a triplet, please speak to one of our clergy.
Deepening prayer
A monthly time of quiet, contemplative prayer in the church, for anyone who would like to go deeper in stillness and listening to God.
However you pray, on your own, with a friend or as part of our church family, God is always ready to listen. If you would like someone to pray for you, please get in touch.
