Welcome to St John’s Green Space, and to the walk with prayer which visits each of the benches. There is no right or wrong way to pray. All we need to do is to show up and be open to what may unfold. Stillness often helps, but it’s not essential. Eyes open, eyes closed, aloud or in quiet…let it be how it is. This prayer leaflet is offered as a gentle springboard into your own conversation with God. It may be just what you need or nothing like what you want. Know that as you move among the benches in whichever order you choose, you are loved, just as you are. You are welcome. May you be blessed by your explorations, and may your heart be refreshed and your spirit renewed. Go well, with love.
Plaque 1
All who died unloved, known only to God – we pray for you
Some of us are feeling loved and safe and included in our community somehow. We have friends and families, colleagues and people who know us and value us. Others are alone, with little or no human care or contact. The Church often prays for people known only to God, recognising the value of every human being, and reminding us that, if God really is love, then all of us are known and loved by God.
Eternal God
You know us and love us, each and every one. We pray for those who have died without comfort or companion. For those who were forgotten or ignored. We hold them in your everlasting love. As we pray for them, strengthen us to reach out to the people in our own lives. To heal divisions, bind wounds, be forgiving and compassionate, so that no one is left to die unloved or alone.
Plaque 2
All victims of violence – we pray for you
Perhaps this describes you or someone you know? It may be those you see on the news or hear about through social media. You may witness it on the streets of this city or in your own home. Violence runs through our human communities as much as ever. What can we do to help victims? How do we change our own behaviour to foster peaceful human living?
Loving God
We pray for all who are victims of violence and all who suffer through the brutality of others. Help us to care. We pray for our local women’s refuge. We pray for those who are suffering in silence and fear. We pray for children as victims and witnesses. We pray for the police, prison officers and others for whom going to work means going into violent situations or their aftermath. We pray for all those places in the world where people are suffering daily violence. Teach us to hope for and work for peace.
Plaque 3
All who died in the Covid 19 pandemic – we pray for you
The legacy of this pandemic is with us in so many ways and its effects will continue to be felt through the decades of this century to come. We all have common, shared experiences and some that were ours alone. Our memories maybe traumatic or heartening or both. Some of us still suffer physically and mentally. Many of us have loved ones who died. Family, friends, colleagues. The hearts on the memorial wall in London tell the story of so many lives lost.
Loving God
We pray for all who died in the pandemic, and for all who continue to suffer ill health because of the virus. We pray for all who mourn those who died. We pray for our health and social care workers and give thanks for their skill, their compassion and their dedication. We pray for all who are trying to alleviate the pains of serious illness, and for those seeking to defend us from infection and to strengthen our contingency plans. We remember all who died here and across the world, and we hold them in your love.
Plaque 4
Agricultural workers & fishers, past, present and future – we pray for you
Think about the food you ate yesterday…how did it get to you, who grew it, what resources did it rely on, how nourishing was it, how tasty?
If you could thank someone in person, who would it be?
Loving God
Your earth is our home. It provides for all our needs. We thank you for all those who work the land and fish the seas. We pray for their livelihoods. We pray for them facing the huge challenges of modern food production, of caring for livestock, ensuring sustainability in fishing and agriculture, and of mitigating climate change. We ask your blessing on them.
Plaque 5
All who struggle with their mental health – we pray for you
Perhaps this is you or someone you live with or work with or socialise with? Perhaps you work in one of the many mental health care settings? There is a lot more awareness of our mental health needs and concerns than in the last century. But many still struggle day to day to live their lives fully. For some, this will be due to a psychiatric condition. For others, it is a response to their life circumstances. For some, there will be no reason they can point to for how unwell they are feeling.
Loving God
We pray for all whose suffering is felt in their minds and emotions. We pray for relief, for peace, for comfort and respite. We pray that all who are in hospital or treatment centres will be safely cared for with compassion and dignity. We pray for those who work in the many different mental health charities and clinical settings. We pray that all who are suffering may find ways into fuller, more fulfilling lives.
Plaque 6
Children who died in pregnancy and infancy – we pray for you
You may have a name or names to remember here.
God our father and our mother
When words fail us Lord, hear the silent cry of our desolate hearts, comfort us. When we are overwhelmed with the sadness of loss, cradle us gently in our grief. We hold in your love all those children we love but see no longer, however short our time with them, however long ago they died. We mourn their passing and all that went with them in lives unlived. You have promised that love is eternal. Remember our little ones and hold them fast in your unending love.
As you move on into the rest of your day, you may like to say this a version of the Lord’s Prayer. Go well, with love.
Father and Mother of us all, you are love through and through, and we bless you.
Let your new world come, let what you long for be always done in everyone, everywhere – and in us.
Be near enough to reach our need every day.
Be gentle enough to forgive us the hurt we have done to you, as we are gentle and forgive in our turn.
Never let us fall, but draw us away from evil and the dark.
For we know that the world that is coming is yours, all yours in richness and beauty and splendour. Amen
Simon Bailey