Our latest course:Together in Prayer
A new six-week course seeks to encourage and enrich the life of prayer found in ‘little, local, ordinary’ churches. ReSource Intercessor Esther McCafferty has been running a pilot...
St Paul’s, Woodford Bridge is fairly traditional church, with alternate Parish Communion and Informal Communion services on Sundays. There is a Prayer Ministry team, with two people available every week to pray during Communion over any matter. Each week the God Answers Prayers slide invites anyone to share how God has been at work: whether healing from cancer, a new job or finding a lost ear-ring... God is with us, and we are alive in prayer!
We also have a Bible discussion group of a dozen people meeting alternate weeks on Tuesday mornings; we have enjoyed three courses together since Lent 2025. We were pleased to offer to be a pilot group for Together in Prayer. Running from early January, every two weeks, would cover Lent nicely (a traditional theme with new perspectives!). And we could contribute with feedback on the course, ahead of its launch at the ReSource-run retreat in March at Pleshey retreat house in our own Diocese of Chelmsford.
The course has come at the right time for us in the parish, with a new vicar. Our Vision Statement and Action Plan are taking shape, all needing the firm foundation in prayer that Together in Prayer provides. The teaching input, Bible discussions and group sessions are giving plenty of time to practice praying together in a variety of ways, and also to grow in confidence.
One member of the Prayer Ministry team found it really helpful to be reminded of the praise and thanksgiving aspects of prayer in Session 3; she was nervous about writing her prayer in advance to be shared with the group, but inspired by these two, she was given the words for so many people she knew in need of healing. All glory to Him!
We have been praying God’s blessing on the roads in our parish for over a year, during services and on our website; we prayerfully delivered Christmas cards in the parish, and there are Lent Prayer Walks planned.
I hope the Prayers of Blessing in Session 6 of the course will inspire a regular visible praying group, Say One For Me!, out in the parish to connect people and places with the living God.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Lord wants to use this course locally, and beyond, to extend His presence and kingly rule in all spheres of life. Be encouraged to give Together in Prayer a go face-to-face or online, and be empowered to follow the Spirit’s leading for the amazing opportunities that will be opened up to you as a result!