Arlington, Berwick, Selmeston with Alciston and Wilmington Churches
Pray With Us
5 Minute Prayer Group
The aim of the 5 Minute Prayer Group is to encourage people to commit to spending
five minutes a day in prayer about a specific issue. This is in the knowledge that
there are others engaged in the same prayer who, whilst not in the same place at
the same time, are nonetheless “gathered together” within the spirit of our Lord’s
promise, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name” (Matthew 18:20).
The
idea arose out of the Contemplative Prayer Group which meets once a fortnight (see
‘Worship With Us’) and is open to all.
Basic Purpose of the Group
The group takes 5 minutes each day from Monday to Friday to pray about the same specific topic. This is the only commitment needed to become a member. With the topic, there is a short linked Bible verse, so that those praying have a sense of unity with each other, even though they may not be physically together.
Each member can also decide how to relate with the others in the group. Although
the
coordinator maintains a record of all the members, so that they may, if they
so wish, meet together, each individual can remain entirely anonymous to the others.
There will still be an awareness of being engaged upon a common good purpose with
others of like mind. Alternatively, those who wish, can allow their Christian name
to be given to the others, so that prayer can include the individual members of the
group by name.
Kenneth Edwards, the coordinator, keeps the members informed of events as they unfold and acts as liaison between members as required. If you would like to join the group and receive updates by email, please complete and submit the application below. For any other queries, please contact Kenneth Edwards (Tel: 01323 489766).
Application Form
Prayer Topics for February 2012
As we look at the words and images, presented to us on all sides, it is tempting
to voice inwardly those words from Francis Lyte’s Hymn , “Change and decay in all
around I see”. Paul tells us that “here we have no continuing city, but we seek one
to come.” and it may help to consider another view and another viewpoint to lift
our thought and our feelings. I hope the enclosed readings may support that new approach.
Kenneth
Edwards
Vision: Where there is no vision, the people perish
Human eyesight is not enough
“Jesus said, I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may
see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard
this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If
you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin
remains.” John 9: 39-
Without spiritual insight we cannot discern the vision
“…the vision of all has become for you like the words of a sealed document. If it is given to those who can read, with the command, “Read this”, they say, “We cannot, for it is sealed” And if it is given to those who cannot read, saying “Read this”, they say, “We cannot read”. Isaiah 29:11,12 NRSV
Until we have it, we can go forward with confidence in faith
“So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the
body we are away from the Lord -
Because the time will come when we shall see clearly
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
Lord. Give us the spiritual insight to see the need
Give us the spiritual grace to
reach that need
Give us the spiritual strength to meet that need
Give us the spiritual
understanding to see You there
Notes on Prayer
These notes were designed for the 5 Minute Prayer Group but may be of help to all those interested in deepening their prayer life, whether members of the group or not.
The Purpose of Prayer
The experience of the contemplative prayer group is that regular daily prayer not only raises the level of their care and compassion for others but, over a period of time, effects changes in their thought and in their response to the needs of their fellows.
They find that, as with many of God’s gifts, prayer blesses both the giver and the receiver and, as it becomes habitual, forms an essential part of their daily lives that enables them not only to cope more easily with the inevitable stresses of modern living but to experience the real joy of living closer to God.
Prayer Style
Each individual chooses how best to pray and there are some suggestions below that may be helpful. Since the concept grew out of the Benefice’s Contemplative Prayer Group, there will be those who wish to spend the 5 minutes daily in reviewing the set topic in their own lives or the lives of their family, friends, community, region, nation or on a world view and reflecting in silence on the Bible verse or whatever inspiration comes to them.
Others may wish to pray specifically for some aspect of the topic that moves them
or some individual or group associated with the topic that they feel would be blessed
by their prayer.
Some may wish to use a written prayer that they feel is relevant
to the topic and some may pray for themselves in a particular situation or take the
opportunity to thank God for his love and compassion to them and others.
Prayer Structure
It may help to develop a routine of prayer at a regular period of the day. A specific action can signify the beginning of prayer:
- Kneeling
- Bowing
- Holding out your hands or folding them together
- Lighting a candle
- Making the sign of the cross
Being aware of your posture and what it expresses as you pray can help to focus your thought. You may wish to start with the Lord’s Prayer, a written prayer or some other prayer or form of words that has significance for you.
Prayer Location
It can be helpful to have a special place for prayer, signified by an object precious to you or a beautiful picture or a position with a wonderful view. A place where you can be secure against interruption, free from the telephone, TV, radio or other outside distractions.
Sunday Collect Sheet
If you pick up the Collect Sheet on Sunday, you might want to say this at the beginning or end of your prayer time.
Summary
These are some ways to achieve your purpose of stepping outside the flow and routine
of daily life and focusing your thought on your prayer time.
You will find for yourself
as you go on, other ways to enrich this special period of the day.