Archive for the ‘Pray with us’ Category

growing our favourite resource

Monday, February 19th, 2018

We’ve just updated our favourite resource – the list of God’s characteristics that fuel the back bone of our daily prayer rhythm – with another treasure-trove of new insights discovered as we’ve followed, prayed and studied over the last few months. There is always more of God to search out! And whether you pray with our rhythm or not, this list is bound to spark your imagination and take you deeper into who God is…

taking flight – a sixteen month testimony

Wednesday, January 31st, 2018

We love telling stories of what our brilliant God has done in, through and with us. Here’s another amazing one, or at least some of it…

what kind of world?

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018

This lament formed as a heart-cry in response to today’s devastating news from Afghanistan, and is dedicated to Save the Children’s workers and their families there, and all around the world, as we all ask God to comfort them, renew their courage, and as we pray blessing on their brave, amazing and loving work.

What kind of a world is it
where those who champion
the small,
infinitely precious
and vulnerable ones,
are attacked and destroyed?

What kind of a world is it
where love in action
is hated,
visciously wounded
and intimidated even to death
by anyone, however twisted a doctrine they serve?

But then, what kind of a world is it
where people live to protect
the small;
calling unknown children
their own precious priority,
infinitely worth risking danger to themselves to save?

And what kind of a world is it
that has life so written and woven
into its being
that hope always wins
as even the darkest acts
spark infinite avalanches of bright, light love in reply?

And what kind of God are you
who breathes
a blue-print invitation
into each of us,
to echo your  saving design,
whilst still bearing
the infinite weight and scars
of every,
single
rescue and loss
on your broad,
broken
shoulders of peace?

our top ten tips for praying with the headlines

Tuesday, January 16th, 2018

We’ve just published a brand new practical input resource sharing our top ten tips for praying with the headlines

We don’t have all the answers on how to pray in response to the news and current affairs. But here are some of the invaluable lessons that we have gradually learned as we’ve prayed with the news as a community on a daily basis for many years.

We hope you find them helpful in building your confidence and adding to – or confirming – your own experience. And if you have some extra tips you think we should include alongside them, do let us know!

Ultimately, the best way to grow in prayer is not to read resources about it, but to go on an adventure with God into it.

But we hope that some of the practical insights in this resource will inspire, remove fear around engaging with ‘heavier subjects’ and encourage people to move forward in their own journey of engaging with God’s world in his presence.

This new resource focuses on practical pointers exploring the ‘how’ of praying with the headlines, but you may also be interested in reading this blog article, which explores why praying in this way can be so rewarding – and surprisingly uplifting:  http://journey.thesanctuarycentre.org/2016/04/06/the-surprising-joy-of-interceding-for-the-world/

re-charting the narrow path ahead

Monday, January 8th, 2018

How do you picture it? The narrow path…

Perhaps, like us, you’ve long seen it as set apart from the broad way, separate somehow; maybe, actually above it and leading still further up a steep hill, or winding through twist after turn of hidden corner and next stretch; uneven, difficult ground; deep, shadowy valleys with just enough light and water to keep going; difficult weather… hard circumstances that hone; sacrificial choices that refine; self-denial that prunes and grows more fruit to bless others.

But what if the narrow path isn’t so much like this at all? What if it’s less of a completely different, (by implication, higher and harder) course and more accurately Jesus’ Way through the broad expanse of joys and challenges that everyone – those looking for his way, and those not – will face in this world.

The narrow path image is one created by Jesus himself, and recorded by Matthew in 7:13-14 of his gospel:

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Here (and in John 10:9) Jesus describes himself as ‘the gate’, and elsewhere as ‘the door’ (John 10:7) and ‘the way’ (John 14:6).

There can be no confusion that entering the right way is restoring relationship with God through Christ, that walking the right way is staying in step with him; following him closely, listening to his voice intently, enjoying his company and seeking to obey him no matter what the road ahead holds.

But does his narrow road towards life really look like the description at the start of this reflection?

Does this group of secondary images that much of Christian culture has gradually developed around the original Jesus picture add to, or actually distort, his symbol of discipleship?

Would the God who loved his world so much he came in person to walk his light among the people dwelling in darkness lead his followers along such a separate path?

Could the path that leads to life and the techni-colour purity of the one who created it really, every single time and in every single moment, always lead to the hardest choice or the most difficult terrain?

Just for a moment, let’s imagine re-charting the narrow path ahead. Picture this…

The main way people take is so broad it barely feels like a way – it is more like field upon field stretching out in parallel, and all across it people are moving forward towards the horizon. Some on their own; some in groups.

To the left, some meander or even give up, confused and overwhelmed by their surroundings and unsure of the point of their travels.

To the right, others stride ahead with single-minded, even competitive, purpose having decided their own route ahead, acting as if it is a race to win rather than a destination to reach.

But right through the middle of it all is the thinnest of paths – for the walkers among us, probably something that looks a bit like a sheep path…

It is discernable perhaps only by its flattened grass, gently yellowed from the steps of those who have found it over the centuries and by the light that surrounds each one on it at present.

And if it does have a fence – in parts or in whole – to differentiate it more clearly, every panel of that is a cross-barred access gate rather than a barrier.

It will of course experience the same weather and seasonal fluctuation as the fields around it; it’s walkers are not immune from blisters or sprains or fatigue. Dark nights still fall around them as often as bright dawns rise and shine on them.

But it is the way through because it walks with Life and towards Life.

It is a way that is supernaturally transformational because paying attention to the one who is Life can’t help but make you more alive today than you were yesterday.

It is a way that is beautiful, because it is paced slow enough to notice the rich details of the landscape and people around you.

It is a way that is merciful, because it is visible to those in the fields to the left and right of it, and all who are on it are lovingly conscious of those around them too, ready to stop and encourage others to join them… or to offer first aid, water, or a word of encouragement; eager to chat and laugh with one to the left or come alongside one who is crying on the right.

It is a way that is hopeful because even when its ramblers go through awful weather and reach dread-full obstacles, they remind each other where they are going. And they persevere in going there because they have the very best of company on the way; a Presence and a people to get them through the worst of times.

It is a way that is scandalously grace-filled, for it is always there for everyone to join, at any point in their journey.

It is a way that is contested, opposed and even persecuted because those not on it can easily be persuaded that it is restrictive, laughable or even dangerously misleading. And there are powers that seek to trip up and disable its followers.

But it is the only way that overcomes because it is wise and care-full to avoid potentially treacherous short-cuts or isolated stretches and there is ever present help from Life and his limitless strength and power. And so all those who remain on it to the end reach their long-anticipated destination.

But before they do, while they are still on this narrow path… those who choose to walk through everything with Jesus find – even sometimes by veering a little off to the left or really quite a long way to the right of him – that they learn to tread this almost tight rope course more and more accurately, and that it brings them more and more life and joy on route.

They discover life is full whether they’re looking out from hill-top’s vista or up from valley ditch’s black mire and muck.

They begin to see they are loved more than they could ever love, so they love as much as they can in response. But they love wisely too, for they know they are worth more than many sparrows so they flee any attachment that tells them they are not.

They learn to tread well to the right of hopeful expectancy but resist straying into entitlement.

They start to embrace selflessness without losing their unique self’s flourishing and growth as God purposed.

They have extraordinary faith that their leader will do everything he says he will, but they start to get better at discerning when they are hoping in their own dreams rather than his promises; understand that they aren’t always rightly interpreting his how or when; and most of all, they more and more fully embrace that they are following him not his works.

They become quicker to serve wholeheartedly, give generously and sacrifice astonishingly for others. But they revel too in taking their turn to receive lavish help or gifts. And they cease to be frightened to rest a bit longer than they feel they “should” when they know it is absolutely what they need.

They evolve into reckless forgivers but they are never careless enough with their hearts to not guard them  from the enemy, or any who would partner with him, in unrepentingly or unrelentingly damaging what they know is their well-spring and the greatest treasure they have to give their God.

They seek to be so much more than intentional but to stop just short of striving; to be principled but never so ruled by law that they become their own definition of a Pharisee.

They look to build healthy disciplines, but flee from following these whatever comes, rather than adapting to whatever and wherever the one who inspired them needs them to do – or not do – next.

They are prepared to suffer, and to suffer well as a witness to their first Pioneer’s footsteps (Colossians 1:24), but they do not celebrate or seek privation because they are beginning to understand that whilst Life conquers even the very worst with resurrection, it is not in anyway dependent on death to thrive!

Miraculously, they grow more stunningly obedient and strangely free at the same time. Less themselves and more themselves all at once.

Because this is the Jesus Way.

The way of the one who fasted and went to the cross, but who also laughed and feasted with his friends.

The way of the one who spoke gently saving grace to the adulteress (John 8:1-11) and consistently angry judgement to the exclusionary religious elite.

The way of the one who gave a hillside full of people with good food, leaving abundant leftovers spare, without means testing their need (e.g. Matthew 14:13-21), but who also told the rich young man he must give everything he had to the poor if he truly wanted to follow this way (Matthew 19:16-22).

The way of the one who healed every one of the sick who came to him in one place (Matthew 8:16), but left a village where everyone was looking for him to minister to them, because his calling to preach led him elsewhere (Mark 1:35-39).

The way of the one whose Spirit led Paul to radically tailor  his letters to the different churches he was writing to… for some were straying to the left, and others to the right, and all needed to come back to the narrow path – to re-enter the gate and follow the Jesus Way.

The way of the one who has walked with us every step of the way so far, and whose Spirit is saying again to us today:

“Dear heart, just a little more to the left now; no, that’s a bit too much, come back towards me now because you’ve gone too far… stay close, stay here.

“That’s it, yes that person, but no not that invitation; yes that work, but no, not that one… rest dear heart, rest.

“Yes, you’re right, I am saying that, yes, give that up, sacrifice it for me; but no, not that, dear heart, that is so much more part of how I made you to be and to reach others for me than you realise quite yet. And that, no not that, I love watching how much joy that brings you – enjoy it with me now.

“Well done good and faithful, that’s it, yes, that’s absolutely it… bang on… now just stay with me, don’t keep doing that longer than I’m in it, and don’t start that next thing before I say.

“Just stay close. Just listen… and, yes, almost, but wait for it with me for a while, it’s not quite the perfect time for that yet…”

And then, with joyful, loving laughter in his voice:

“Yes now, absolutely, NOW! Let’s go, go go!”

If you’d like to respond to what you’ve just read…

Here are some questions, one or more of which might be helpful to ask God and yourself as you pray, and in anticipation of your year ahead together:

1. Where might I need to move a little more to the left, or a little more to the right, in my heart-posture, beliefs or actions?

2. What excites me about thinking a bit more about the narrow path ahead of me/ my church/  my organisation?

3. How might holding this slightly different view of the narrow path help me/ us in our personal and missional walk(s) with Jesus in the days, months and years ahead?

a careful and care-filled prayer

Thursday, December 14th, 2017

for the peace of Jerusalem, and for us all:

Precious Jesus,
thank you that you
love all places and all peoples,
came for all tribes and tongues,
dwell – by your Spirit – in all nations,
choose to make your temple now
in hearts more than buildings,
and will one day come again
to make the whole earth new.

Precious Jesus,
for us who know you
as the incarnate, in-dwelling,
with-dwelling Lord,
and do not call the holy land
home in our day to day lives,
it’s hard to understand fully
the deep, unshakeable and compelling
resolves to possess Jerusalem,
however much we connect
to where you once walked –
or seek to understand those
who walk there today.

But thank you that you,
so much more than us,
understand why specific places
matter so much.
And thank you that you,
so much more than all of us,
know a way forward
that honours your perfect will and application
of your love, peace and justice
rather than our own – or others’ – interpretations
of what you want or what your word means.

Precious Jesus,
I come humbly in my limited,
foreign understanding.
I don’t want to trample your holy ground
or the dreams of anyone made in the image of you.
You already know what I think I think about Jerusalem,
but even while I still dearly long to truly know how you feel for sure,
I do not need to know that to pray with you for its peace,
and the peace of all people from different nations and faiths that look to it.

Precious Jesus, in your tender, weeping mercy,
and in your mighty name,
take this city right now under your protecting wings
like the mother hen you pictured,
and keep all her peoples and connected lands
safe from yet more cycling hatred and war.
And save us, Lord Jesus, please save us
from any who seek power over peace
or simply know not what they do here,
over and over and over again.

bringing new life to Christmas traditions…

Wednesday, December 13th, 2017

… from all around the world!


We’ve uploaded a brand new resource to our seasonal resources page ready for Christmas this year and beyond…

This creative idea to bring new life to your Christmas celebrations and traditions draws inspiration from countries all around the world to introduce you to brand new ideas and share the original Christ-inspired stories behind old ones – all with a desire to help you re-connect more to Jesus as you celebrate his coming in many different ways with those around you.

The fact this resource also lead us on a mini, global tour full of learning from Christians around the world is a brilliant extra blessing, reminding us that Jesus came for all nations, peoples and cultures.

Our hope and prayer is that you’ll be as inspired as we have been to read these stories… and that you’ll experience a more worship-filled Christmas as a result…

putting God at the centre of your celebrations

Wednesday, December 6th, 2017

In the abstract, holidays feel like a time when there should be more space to connect with God and the things on his heart. But in reality, many of us find that when we’re away from our normal routines, it can be harder – rather than easier – to spend time in worship, prayer or even reflection… especially if we are away with other people…

Busy festival times of celebration – especially Christmas – can be even more like this…

Even when the reason for all the activity is Jesus, it can end up negatively impacting on our time with him, or lead us to feel like we have two modes of operation – one clearly connected to our devotion, and one that just feels separate, even if its really good. In the morning we might read our Bible or an Advent reflection, but later when we’re laughing with friends over good food, it can feel like that’s unrelated to him.

So we wanted to share this incredibly simple and obvious idea that some of us used on an extended holiday recently, that we found to be so wonderful we’re planning to use it every time we enter a period like this, as a way of:

  • consciously doing holidays and celebrations with God
  • connecting with him together really naturally
  • giving him all the thanks and praise for all the good gifts we’re enjoying, so that they (and we) are always connected to the one who gave them all.

As well as the joy we experienced from doing this with God, we also ended up making a note of some wonderful moments we might otherwise have forgotten, and getting the chance to savour everything more richly together before moving on to the next thing.

It’s basically a way of capturing and thanking God for every good gift you experience, by adding a little more each day to what gradually becomes a giant thanksgiving chart…

…as we said, it’s a super simple idea, but this resource explains clearly everything you need and notes some additional pointers that might be helpful.

We know that holiday and celebration times – especially with family – can throw up negative experiences and emotions as well, and this exercise we’re sharing is absolutely not about denying those.

It’s really important and healthy to pour out our pain over this to God and the following two resources (the first generally and the second specifically in relation to Christmas) might help a bit with this:

We also have a blog from a few years back that a number of us have come back to repeatedly with some more simple ideas about increasing connection to God during vacation times: http://journey.thesanctuarycentre.org/2011/08/01/rest-in-his-presence/

landing, pacing and resting

Monday, October 30th, 2017

We’ve landed in Nidderdale at the property which will shortly host the Sanctuary’s new, bespoke prayer space… and are starting to feel settled here. Our hearts are very full – we can’t stop thanking and praising God for leading us every step of the way over this last stretch, and for leading us here – to a place of such wonder and beauty right in the heart of Yorkshire.


We’re also very tired after a busy few months ending in one location and packing up two properties in order to move to the new one.

So during November and December, we’ll be taking it gently, making sure we pace ourselves, rest and just enjoy settling in before we start thinking about building plans in the new year. And some of our central collective members will also be taking a well-earned holiday during this time-period too!

But we wanted to let you know we’re safely here, all has gone smoothly, we’re getting settled, we’re so excited about what’s coming… and we’re already being inspired to create here!

Here’s a psalm that bubbled up and overflowed out from Liz yesterday afternoon…

Bright valley is all smiles today –

awoken by the world’s strongest light

to shine back the favour

in glowing gold and green

and burnished brown bronze.

The brooks almost giggle their descent,

as if tickled out of shyness

by creeping warmth

illuminating bracken-scented shade

to shimmer their rush, flow and drop.

Shoals of sky-painters

dip, glide and weave,

brush-stroking broad blue

with passing shapes;

then, as I ascend the fell under them,

shift craft and lead me up

like a troupe of soaring minstrels

– bright pied-pipers by the dozen –

uplit and uplifting.

A distant floating balloon

punctuates blue with red, now white;

what does my below look like from that kind of above?

But I am glad to be on the ground today,

climbing to first flight-heights only.

For here each ordinary thing,

each overlooked scrap

of moss on wall

or grass underfoot

grows jewel-like

as if the land itself was a prayer,

or a hymn – or both.

And it is of course.

I tread the same fields and rocks

as monks and pilgrims.

And I wonder,

is the whole valley dancing anew

to welcome us home

to their ancient glory-scape?

I breathe in deep, fresh joy.

And I quiet.

And I am all smiles too.

praying with Chi Rho

Monday, October 9th, 2017

We’ve just published a new creative idea resource, which uses a simple and ancient symbol – the Christogram of Chi Rho (representing the first two letters of ‘Christ’ in Greek) – to pray in a powerful new way for specific individuals… whether they’re public figures, or people known to you personally.

Download this new creative idea for praying for individuals using the ancient Christogram of Chi Rho direct, visit our creative ideas page or browse our whole online resource library to find more outward focused ideas to help you pray for leaders or individuals in challenging or dangerous situations.