Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, says: "There is no right way of praying. There are just the ways that are right for you. But there is also the great heritage of praying that we can learn from and explore."It's the simplest thing in the world yet it can seem so difficult. It's as natural as breathing, yet it's hard to find the right words. Just how do you learn to pray?A short reflection series considered ten basic questions about prayer and offers simple helps for making prayer a part of everyday life.These include: What prayer is: When and where to pray; Whether words are always needed; What to do when prayer seems impossible; Praying alone and with others.No-one ever becomes an expert in prayer but this series sets out to help you become more open to God's presence, which is the heart of prayer. It draws on the wisdom of Christians across the ages and offers a selection of easily-memorised favourite prayers to encourage you as you journey into prayer.You can join this programme by going to BBC Radio 4's Daily Service, from Monday to Friday, April 19th to April 30th.You can find out more online at www.churchofengland.org You can always turn to the prayer for the day posted on this website if you need daily help.
Alongside the rest of the country we were saddened at the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.<br><br>On the eve of his funeral in Windsor, in Guildford Cathedral we will hold a Vigil in Commemoration of His Royal Highness.<br> <br>Join the Dean and other Cathedral Clergy, with music from the Cathedral Choir, prayers and readings from the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and the High Sheriff of Surrey, and a homily by The Right Reverend Jo Wells, Bishop of Dorking.<br> <br>The service will be live streamed and all are invited to join us online in real time via <a href="https://url6.mailanyone.net/v1/?m=1lWGsM-0001b6-3E&i=57e1b682&c=yqU0BGriIGk10vv7l5Z1sKKD-X3qFwS8vr1EQYd98pN_zNRSXEK4Nu3j77OKsWZQ3N6sE2Hja-TrFhmxCLY7X-VbONZ0LYHWfZ1U2ykKkkv9J7Oz0y-gzsZ-_yQswK57wscF6YkolXQEuUy7lPZ4mzvgMe10odqwmURjsyuG-gBF4CEexg3Z87YExG3qJEEn8aFDz6hUtrJRhSSo9pM1O33_C_fexyBMAqoXfHczxyU">https://youtu.be/Nv-KDHYz-7Q</a><br>
At the time of writing, a sense of yet more adjustment pervades me, deciding what to keep of the old and take to the new. Not for the first time this year, I find myself reflecting on 2 Corinthians, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" However, perhaps refreshingly, this impending new normal is not Covid related. I am writing this as preparations are made for a new-look Admin Team at Church House, replacing the dedicated, but administratively isolated, functions previously in place, to better support the work we do in our parishes and schools, and all they do in support of <em>Transforming Church Transforming Lives.</em> We seek for the new model to offer more collaboration, greater efficiency and fewer silos across all our work in serving our parishes, chaplaincies and schools from Church House. Was there anything very wrong with the old? No, not really; it worked perfectly well. But perhaps sometimes that prevents us from attempting something bigger. Just as Abraham took up a challenge of moving away from his own comforts, considered the change and the pain and decided that the blessings were worth it, I hope that we will all see the blessings in this new team and the positive change it brings. But the shift actually makes it even more imperative that we keep the old – the knowledge, experience and relationships – and that these are shared for the good of all. So really, “The old has gone, the new is here!" is not quite true – and shouldn’t be. As I sit here, procrastinating over a flow chart, Jeremiah is with me instead; ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ And perhaps we can apply that to Covid, too.
