The Dean of Worcester, Stephen Edwards has written about the importance of prayer in this article for June editions of parish magazines:
I really enjoy watching crime drama on television, especially the easy ones like Midsomer Murders or Father Brown. It’s always surprising that in these series, not only that there are so many horrific crimes in such a small area, but that a remarkably high number of them seem to involve churches or members of the clergy. I suppose it’s because churches make for beautiful scenes and the clergy are, well, always an intriguing lot! Whenever a detective needs to visit a church, have you noticed that there are always dozens of candles lit regardless of what is going on in the church? Even if the vicar is just tidying hymn books (another seemingly popular activity of the clergy in crime dramas) the altar is a blaze with candlelight.
I always appreciate the opportunity to light a candle when saying a prayer as I visit churches across the Diocese, and I’ve always taken comfort in the notice often placed near a candle stand, that a flame continues to shine even after our brief prayer has ended.
In a seemingly dark world, which feels increasingly more fragile or unstable, with our norms and traditions challenged or overturned, the international and sometimes national scene concern us a great deal. Our prayers with their thoughts about the world’s troubles and hopes for a peaceful and gentle future, bring light and life into our communities. In churches across the Diocese people are praying, lighting candles, gathering with hope and concern - as people have done for centuries. Our church buildings provide shelter for our fears and our compassion and, situated in the heart of communities, they represent the place where all are invited to come together with common purpose.
The troubling news which brings instability to our world is now presented to us more quickly than ever, and more directly into our hands through phones, or social media increasing the volume of anxiety. In our day-to-day activities, the ordinariness of our lives, we are now more aware than ever of what demands our prayer no matter what we are doing.
Perhaps the scene of a country church with candles lit while the vicar endlessly tidies hymn books is not so far-fetched after all. Praying through our daily tasks and bringing the concerns of the world into our places of worship, is exactly our call as Christians. Our values of love and justice and compassion and freedom have never been more needed. As we pray for these gifts in the world, our diocese fulfils its mission to share hope and transform communities as we worship God and make disciples.
