The Quiet Time

How’s your daily prayer life? What’s the state of your ‘quiet time’? Do you spend time with God on a regular basis and if so, how do you do it? For some Christians it can be a real struggle in this hectic world in which we live to fit in a regular time of prayer and biblical reflection - while for others, the rhythm of daily prayer is natural.

Studies have shown that our differing personality types will necessitate a different approach for different people. Not everyone can fit in an early morning prayer time and some will find that regularity and routine is a problem in anything they do, let alone prayer. However, this can sometimes be an excuse rather than a genuine reason. All the main world faiths expect their adherents to commune regularly with God and pray for other people, and not just on the Sabbath. Prayer is not something which should be left to the minister but is something which, when approached seriously, transforms the life of the believer.

Here are a couple of suggestions for those whose prayer life has stagnated or needs a fresh look.

Northumbria Community

St. Aidan

For some people, having a daily liturgy which is shared by other people is a valuable thing. The Northumbria Community is a dispersed community of people throughout the UK and beyond, who regularly use the ‘Celtic Daily Prayer’. It can be purchased in book form from the community itself (see web site) or from a Christian bookshop. Each day has a liturgy for morning, midday and evening and this includes a set of Bible readings, a daily reading from the Celtic tradition and mediation for the day. It borrows heavily from the Celtic saints (St. Aidan is pictured left) and the Desert Fathers and Mothers. The web site mentioned above has a list of related resources including music.

You can join with other companions of the community or simply use it on your own.

Bible Reading on-line
Some people like the idea of reading a small portion of the Bible each day with the aid of study notes. Probably the most famous of these are ‘Every Day With Jesus’ by the late Selwyn Hughes. However, reading a small snippet from the Bible each day may not suit everyone. It might therefore be better to read a larger section of the Bible on a less frequent basis – say weekly.

An excellent way of doing this, for those who are on the internet, is to use The Bible Gateway which allows you to listen to the Bible on-line. The whole of the Bible can be heard in a number of different versions. As long as you can tolerate the American voices which is used on most of them, it’s a good way of sitting back and taking in the Word in large sections. There are a number of other similar sites, some with downloadable files.

If you have other suggestions which people might profit from, please let me know by replying to this email.

Friar Lane Nottingham

This picture was taken at Christmas time 2006 on a cold winter's evening on a slow exposure with gentle adjustment to the zoom. It was taken on Friar Lane at around 9pm.

Prague

Prague is another beautiful city. The river Danube runs right through the centre and provides equisite walks and relaxing sojourns in cafés and bars.

A boat trip on the river gives you a relaxed view of the city. A walk around the town offers you amazing sites including the famous Apostles' Clock (pictured left).

Vienna

Vienna is one of our favourite cities. Our son, Andrew lives and works there and we visit on a regular basis. It is a city of great beauty and brimming with culture.

There are many places to visit including Stephensdom (pictured left) which is the main cathedral in the cetre of Vienna. The Rathaus (town hall) is beautiful, especially at Christmas when it is tastefully light and surrounded by stall for the Christkindlmarkt.

There are also many parks. The Prater park is home to the famous Riesenrad (big wheel) which, until the London Eye was erected, was the biggest such wheel in Europe.

The Stadtpark is home to Johann Srauss (pictured right). This park is situated beside the Ringstrasse (ring road) which encircles Vienna. You can board a tram and travel around the Ringstrasse as many times as you like, hopping on and off as you please.

Of all the capital cities I have visited, Vienna is among the most composed, peaceful and fulfilling. It is not expensive compared with places like London and yet the quality of life and ambience are much better.

Epworth Old Rectory

Epworth Old Rectory is the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist Movement back in the 18th century. For those interested in the history of the British Isles or the 18th century revival, a visit to Epworth is a must.

The Old Rectory is being restored to its original state just after the fire from which John Wesley was rescued as a child. Not only can you have a guided tour of the house, but you ca also visit the Physic Garden which grows many of the herbs used by the Wesley family.

Today, Methodism enjoys a world-wide membership of around 70,000,000 people in many different countries of the world. Much of the credit for this lies with Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles, who instilled religious discipline and teaching into her children each day. Altogether Susanna had 19 children but not all survived.

Sicily

Sicily is a beautiful island off the south coast of Italy (left of its toe). To be sure of good weather you need to avoid the first three or four months of the year.

The coastline you see in this picture is on the northern edge, west of Palermo. A nature reserve runs for around 7km and is beautiful. We went in March 2007 and, with the exception of 2 warm and sunny days, the weather was cold and wet.

Easter People 2007

Easter People 2007 was the final event in a 20 year series which originated at Camber Sands and has run every year since. Christians from all over the UK converged upon Blackpool for this finalé which played host to around 6,000 people.

Next year, Rob Frost will be holding an event entitled Pentecost 2008 and another event takes place in Llandudno entitle ECG - A Heart for the Nation.

Cargo by Paul Field

Paul Field, the author of 'Cargo' has become a personal friend over the last few years. He is a song writer and producer and his latest work entitled 'Cargo' focuses upon the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade 200 years ago when William Wilberforce finally succeeded in outlawing this barbaric trade.

Wilberforce spent 20 years campaigning and trying to change the mindset of a nation that saw no wrong in using black people as cargo and selling them on for gain, often to find them abused or killed.

Paul's web site is http://www.paulfield.com and you may find some of his work both challenging and inspiring. Paul recently performed CARGO at West Bridgford. He will also be performing at the Brewhouse, Burton on Trent on October 5th 2007 and again at Huthwaite on November 3rd 2007.

Great Central Railways

Great Central Railways run steam trains between Loughborough and Leicester, stopping at Quorn and Rothley. It's a great day out and each station is designed to depict a different decade. All the staff are dressed in period uniform and it's just like a journey back in time.

It's a great day out for people of all ages. School children love it and the stations are real museum pieces.

Disabled access is available at most of the stations on most of the trains. It is worth checking with the staff before setting out.

Find Madeleine

It was really moving. The small square in the centre of Rothley was covered in yellow ribbons and soft toys. Poems and good wishes for ther safe return of Madeleine were everywhere. They were in the form of poems, prayers or simply good wishes.

No one really knows where the little girl is but their parents are hoping against hope that she will return safe and well. There's very little we can do except pray for her safe return and that the McCanns will be strengthened at this dificult time.