This Weeks Silent Prayer Hour

During the past week, at 5pm on Wednesday, I joined the Nazareth Companions for a silent prayer hour online. We also meet online as Companions for silent prayer at 7am on Monday and Thursday mornings. The midweek silent prayer precedes the informal Bread for the World eucharist, livestreamed at 6.30pm from St Martin’s-in-the-fields. This followed by what are termed ‘Listening Groups‘ where Lectio type discussions and wonderings take place, both in the building and online.

St Martin's-in-the-fields East Window — Silent Prayer Hour at St Martin’s-in-the-fields. The East window above the alter.

Online Prayer Community

We, the online congregation, had anticipated that the hour would be live streamed from St Martin’s-in-the-fields. Unfortunately, due to a technical hitch, it wasn’t. Wishing to connect with folk, I shared a special image with some Companions online. It had belonged to my dear late parents-in-law. They were devoted Christians and the best examples of unconditional love.

An Image Of A Man, Jesus, Depicted Praying — I can’t decipher the name of the artist on the image, sadly.

Faith Icons

I was a little hesitant, as I didn’t want to appear to dominate the prayer space. Thankfully, the addition of the image was appreciated and assisted the focus for those that needed. And we settled for an hour to pray together in silence from our various locations.

I have never really been one to have icons. But now that I regularly join with the Companions online, I can see how helpful icon images can be. As icons and artworks are used in a variety of quiet and reflective gatherings, to help still the mind and focus.

As we prayed I focused on the word peace. And developed it a little further as an acrostic.

PEACE

Peace
Enfolding
All
Carefully
Embracing

Our Prayers

We gathered to pray especially for the many, many people impacted by the dreadful ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza. The following mornings prayer was very much dedicated to this also. We can only hope that peace and calm will prevail without delay. So much across the world is so incredibly overwhelming. Prayer at least offers hope.

A prayer for the Holy Land written by Reverend Dr Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin’s-in-the-fields. Read during prayers this week.

God of judgement and mercy, compassion and steadfast love. Look tenderly on your children at war in your holy land.

Still, the souls bent on vengeance and destruction. Change the hearts plotting death and devastation, raise up leaders within warring parties and in the international community, who have the courage and the wisdom to turn violence into reasoned argument, and listen to the pain until a way forward emerges.

Make us see what we have in common so much more than what divides us.

Let all those who trace their past back to Abraham find their common future in you through Christ, your Son crucified companion, now and forever.

Amen
Reverend Dr Sam Wells

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Closing Thoughts

The 5pm BST prayer hour will be livestreamed on Wednesday of next week from St Martin’s-in-the-fields, on their public facebook page. Enabling everyone to join online. It really does feel more important than ever to gather in this way.

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Have a blessed day⚘