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“Lord, teach us how to pray.”

Many of us share the disciples’ struggle with prayer,
thinking we cannot find the right words. Jesus
understood the disciples' concern and showed them
a pattern for prayer which we call the Lord’s Prayer.
To pray it thoughtfully and honestly is a good way to start.

We also have some resources in the church to help you in your prayer
life. In the prayer room, next to the small hall, there is a bookcase full
of readable books, which people have found helpful and donated to
our prayer library. There’s also a CD player with CDs, posters, a
beautiful glass cross, flowers and other things you may find helpful -
quotes from the Bible or writers, a hand held cross, pictures, maps,
pebbles, pens and paper, cards, and (battery operated) candles. Feel
free to use any of them. Pop in at any time and take a few minutes to
rest in God’s presence.

On Thursday at 9 am we have a zoom prayer meeting hosted from the
church. This means that anyone who would like to join a prayer group
but cannot use zoom may join us in church. It lasts for 30 minutes but
we keep the church open until 10am or later for private prayer. People
are available if you want someone to pray with you.

In the entrance lobby there is a prayer tree with tags for you to write
your prayer requests which we will use during our prayer time on
Thursday morning and others may use in their prayer time.. It is not
necessary to add your name to the prayer, but it can help to make the
prayer more precise.

Further afield, Swanage Churches Together hold a prayer time on
Tuesdays 9-10am on zoom or at Emmanuel alternate weeks. I have
further details, so please ask.

In the future could we have a prayer group in the afternoon for those
who find 9 am too early? It would be great to have the church open
every morning for prayer. Would you like to have another prayer after-
noon? If you would be interested in being involved with any of these
suggestions or have any other ideas for prayer please speak to me or
one of the Elders.
Anne Squires

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