Ilkley Baptist

Starting next week, on 3rd May, I will have a regular time of prayer in the church on Wednesdsay mornings at 9.30am. You are invited to join me, either by coming to the church and sharing in prayer, or by praying wherever you happen to be at that time.

I've floated this idea here and in other places and it has been positively received. I follow a simple pattern of prayer: a bible reading, a poem, a written prayer, then I pray for a list of poeple I regularly update. If you would like to add to that list, please let me know. I will keep all names completely confidential.

If you are praying by yourself, then find a way you are comfortable with. I have found things like regularity and using objects helpful, so you might go to a certain place, you might kneel or stand at certain times, you might like to read something aloud, you might light a candle or an incense stick, look at a view, or get out some item that has meaning for you. Use a certain amount of silence. Take time to not actually do much but just to be there, you and God.

Some people keep a diary of their prayer. Do you think it would be helpful to know who is praying? On the other hand we are told to pray in secret. Should we have a book, perhaps, in which requests for prayer could be written and which I and anyone who joins me could use on Wednesday mornings? It could be in church on Sundays, too.

Post your comments here!

Our young people's discussion meeting has limped along for a while. Last time, despite careful advertising of the meeting no one came, apart from Chris, the other leader, so it's probably sensible to draw a line under it. Discussions didn't quite work. So what do we do next? We have a Sunday Club teachers' meeting this week which will try to be creative, but I thought an idea or two might emerge here.

I'm going to try to track down a copy of Mike Yaconelli's book Contemplative Youth Ministry; I've read intriguing reviews of it and I like his book Messy Spirituality which I read in Holy Week. Joining forces with another local church is another idea. What do you think? What worked for you when you were young? What do we have that is good and attractive, and how should we share it?