Reflections on Not Religion but Love

I am reading an inspiring and challenging book "Not Religion but Love" by Dave Andrews.

He writes about his belief in following the radical, nonviolent and sacrificial example of Jesus. And also out of his experience living in community and serving marginalised people.

"But the only way we can live is to live in the real world.

And the only way we can live in the real world is to love the real world.

And the only way we can love the real world is to overcome our fear of suffering that love in the the real world involves.

We must not allow our fear of suffering so to take over our lives that we put all our efforts into building up our defences against the real world, and so alienate ourselves from the very reality to which we need to relate. We need to find a faith that can help us overcome our fear of suffering, so that we can embrace the world as it is warts and all, and live our lives, with friend and foe alike, to the full.

And the only way I know that any of us can do that is by following the way of Christ."

Richard

Hope Prayer Room Reflections

A Big Thanks to everyone who supported the Hope 2008 24/10 Prayer Room.

More than 200 people from 18 church congregations took slots in the prayer room. Together we sustained 220 hours of prayer over 10 days.

"There is a real sense of the presence of God." Prayer Room user.

"I feel much clearer in my head in the prayer room." Prayer Room visitor.

Excitingly, many passersby left prayer requests on the church railings, that could then be taken into the prayer room and offered to God in prayer.

"Many thanks for setting up the 24/10 at St Peter's, and for leaving it so clean and tidy.

I was very conscious of the Lord's presence the times I spent there, and St Peter's felt it a privilege to host it."

Rev Fred Woods, vicar of St Peter's Church congregation.

If you'd like to be involved in future Hope 2008 events in Colchester check http://www.hopeforcolchester.blogspot.com

Or leave a comment.

love Richard

News from the Hope 2008 prayer room

The prayer room has now been the site of 4 days of prayer room, with seven church congregations taking slots.

Visitors have commented on the sense of peace in the prayer room. But Magic, a visitor from Poland, also commented on the life he saw.

Passers by have taken the chance to hang prayers on the church railings. (These prayers are then brought inside and prayed).

Free slots in the prayer room are still avaiable at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm today. Also midnight - 1am, and 2am - 5am Wednesday morning. Also Saturday 12noon - 8pm.

Please sign up for slots in the prayer room, St Peter's Church, North Hill.

Also please consider asking your church leader to support the Global Day of Prayer on Sunday 11 May. The Hope 2008 Colchester organisers are asking church congregations to say the Prayer for the World together at 11am on Sunday.

For more info visit wwwglobaldayofprayer.com It's an awesome prayer! And amazing to be part of a prayer being said across the world.

If you intend to join with this global prayer, please let marie@colchesterprayernet.co.uk know.

Richard