As the deer longs for flowing streams,
so longs my soul for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1
At the heart of our life as a community and as individuals is a discipline of prayer. Most people find that at some point in their life, usually in a time of great need or distress, they ‘cry out to God’ – but living a life of faith is about noticing that instinct to pray and instead of praying only when we ‘need to’ or ‘feel like it’, turning it into a deeply embedded habit. A discipline. A daily way of living. Being a community orientated towards God.
Wisdom tells us that it is easier to do this when we pray together with others (and so at St Paul’s there is regular ‘corporate’ prayer – daily), so that we can support one another. And wisdom also teaches us that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to prayer, so it is good to begin to notice your own particular style or instinct in prayer, and to work at strengthening that habit, whether that means for you stillness and silence, standing, sitting, kneeling, meditating on Scripture, making pilgrimages, going on retreats, moving or walking, being creative…
If you want to learn about prayer there are many resources available to you – and on this website are a few ideas. And if you want to take the next step, come and talk to one of the clergy or laity.
At St Paul’s Knightsbridge you will find a community of people who are in very different places when it comes to prayer – but all of whom are committed to developing a healthy disciplined life that yearns for knowledge of God.
