Archbishop of Canterbury seeks to unify the Church in prayer

 (Photo: Lambeth Palace/Jaqui J Sze)

"Prayer is simple, accessible to all and yet indispensable. Absolutely anyone can pray," says Archbishop Justin Welby.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is launching a new initiative which aims to "demystify" prayer through teaching and learning how to pray in unity.

A series of Prayer Day events will take place around the country with the goal being to "strengthen existing initiatives" and "inspire the whole Church to explore new possibilities of how to pray".

The initiative, scheduled to take place three or four times a year, is part of Archbishop Justin's priority of Prayer and the Religious Life, and will include the Community of St Anselm, the ecumenical community of young Christians who live at Lambeth Palace for a year in prayer, study and service.

Canterbury Cathedral is the location for the first event, set to take place on 27 May.

There, Archbishop Welby will be joined by Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, as well as the Chemin Neuf Community and the Community of St Anselm.

At each of the gatherings, the Archbishop will share his vision for prayer and participants will have the chance to hear from local leaders about the impact of prayer and experience the prayer traditions of different denominations.

The Archbishop's hope for the initiative is that it will "bring the Church together" in all its "glorious diversity and traditions" in learning to "pray to God who hears every prayer".

"In prayer we learn to see God at work in our world and open our lives to God's transforming love," he said.

The event is free but booking is required.

News
Young people more grateful to God, study finds
Young people more grateful to God, study finds

A new survey has suggested that 18 to 34 year olds are more likely to believe in God and have transcendental experiences.

Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians
Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians

How can thousands of slain Christians not be persecution?

Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims
Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims

Turkey has been relatively successful in preventing attacks since 2017.

The pope that is remembered each year on December 31
The pope that is remembered each year on December 31

In many European countries, December 31, also known as New Year’s Eve, is better known as St Sylvester’s Day or simply Sylvester, named after a pope from the time of the Council of Nicaea. This is the story …