On a Friday evening we do a simple form of sung evening prayer. Using the ancient form of plainchant, we sing the psalms and canticles together. It’s a lovely and meditative way to end the week. As the evenings grow longer, we’ll see the evening light come through the windows as these ancient sung prayers rise up to God.

Often during evening prayer I go through the events of the day and week, praying for the people I’ve met or spoken to, for the work that has been done (and sometimes for the work that has been left undone!), for what has been disappointing and what has been encouraging, thanking God for moments of joy and hope, and bringing to him difficulties, griefs and sorrows I’ve shared.

This week I will bring a woman carrying a heavy burden of care; a man worried about money; the tears shed by two very different people; the joy of a couple hoping to be married; a moment of vulnerability; a grief borne with great dignity.

It’s one of the great privileges of being a parish priest that I can share these moments and bring them to God in prayer. Prayer is at the centre of all we do as a church: praying with each other, praying for those who need our prayers, coming before God in adoration and worship, waiting on him in silence.

Please do join us on Friday evenings if you would like - you don’t have to join in the singing! - or one of the other times of daily prayer that we do, both in church and online. It’s the best way to start and end a day.