Day of prayer and fasting

In the middle of all the hectic activity that is all around us at this time of the year, we give ourselves very little time to stop and reflect about the real reason we are celebrating. That's why we though it would be a good idea to have a day for prayer and fasting to mark the beginning of Advent (the fasting wasn't compulsory!)

We opened church all day one Saturday at the beginning of Advent for people to come and go as they pleased. We had special places set aside for prayer - praying for the world, for our community, for the church and for ourselves, with various resources at each prayer place to help us.

People came in and stayed for as long or as short a time as they wanted. Some sat at the various prayer areas and used the resources: others wandered round just looking. Some sat quietly with their own thoughts for a while.

We had hoped to make a space away from the pressures and busyness that surrounds most of us at one time or another. Somewhere to go to recharge batteries, to have time to think, to escape into peace and quiet for a short while.

Here are comments from some of the people who came....

It was relaxing to be able to just sit in peace and quiet for a while and gather my thoughts

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I found myself staying longer than I'd intended. It was just so lovely and peaceful

I haven't felt as relaxed as that since I was on holiday last year.

I don't get much chance for 'me' time at home, but it was good in the church. I just wandered round quietly - no-one bothered me.

I stayed quite a long time. There was lots to look at and touch and things to do. I didn't know prayer could be like that. It was really interesting. I left, feeling that I'd really been in God's presence that day.

It was so peaceful and quiet. I didn't realise how long I'd been there. The place for prayer about myself was wonderful. There were things to do and think about; and I got a lot from it. I felt so close to God.

It was lovely, quiet and peaceful. Much needed in the busyness of Christmas activities. The church was beautiful.

I went to church to pray, but I found myself just sitting there in silence. It sounds very boring to do that, but it wasn't at all. As I sat there I felt really peaceful - something I find hard to feel at home. I didn't need words to say. It was lovely.

I found it very moving to see what was at the different prayer stations. It was an opportunity to pray in a peaceful atmosphere.  I was very blessed.

It was so peaceful, and the church was set up in such a beautiful way. It gave me time to reflect on all God's blessings, because you don't get time for that at home. And I also thought about those people in the world who are so much in need and live in such terrible circumstances. I spent rather a long time there, but it only seemed like it was five minutes.