Prayer

Prayer, defined simply, is talking to God. 

Prayer may take many forms. It may praise and adore God, and it may thank him. It may plead with him and confess to him. It may also (as the Apostle Paul states in the 8th chapter of Romans) be a 'groaning' in which words fail us. But usually it entails making some form of request.

What is common to all forms of prayer is communication with God. 

Our times of prayer may include meditating on God and reflecting on him, but prayer by definition is always directed - and that direction is towards God. God is always the conscious object of our prayers. 

Prayer may be silent, but it is never vacant. If we wait on God in silence, then we are waiting on God, not praying. And if we wait on God in prayer, then we are waiting on God as part of our prayer. What is more, true waiting on God is an expectant looking to God, having expended our words. 

(There are a number of prayer meetings in the area which some of our people have or do attend. 'Speak Life' for instance, have a regular prayer meeting.)

Prayer at St Wilfrid's

At St Wilfrid's general matters for prayer, such as for personal needs and the various missions we support, is encouraged in Home Groups and during Sunday services.

There is also a prayer chain and a prayer team, the latter being available during service times to pray with those seeking such direct ministry.

We encourage all members to create good habits of personal prayer (click HERE for help with a morning devotional time), and there are a number of people who have prayer partners within the church (this can be very helpful and is recommended).

Other times of prayer include Mothers' Prayers which takes place fortnightly.

Prayer Meetings open to all

Weekend Prayer Meetings

These take place on Sunday afternoons at 4.00 pm.

There are plans to develop a 'Fresh Expressions' worship time, retaining a significant prayer emphasis. The time for these meetings would then likely move to 5.00 pm. (Watch this space.)

Tuesday Morning Prayer Meetings

This is our early morning prayer gathering. We meet at 6.15 am and people from other churches are welcome to join with us.  

The stated aim of this gathering is to pray for God to send revival to this community; our nation; and to the entire world. 

Monthly Prayer for God's Blessing

On 6 January 2023 we held our first monthly gathering to pray that God would bless his Church world wide and reach the nations for Christ. 

It is our aim to meet each month, before the first Sunday of the month (see dates below).

We may not be systematically praying round the world, but these meetings are open to all Christians and their scope is world wide, even if some evenings we may never get out of Eastbourne! 

We will meet at 7pm and we invite you to stay as long as you will (at present we are thinking of the cut-off being around 9 - but if the glory comes we may be there all night!)

Some future dates for 2023, and one for 2024 are:

August 4th

September 1st

September 29th 

November 3rd

December 1st

January 5th

Future prayer events:

Chris has been in discussion with our Missions co-ordinator who has raised the question of praying in a slightly different manner, and covering the missions we support. This may be something we can add later and incorporate praying for the world as well. We could utilise such resources as 'Operation World'. And we could have a map on the wall and quite literally pray round the world. At present no date has been suggested. Watch this space!

Verse of the day