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I have the honour of leading worship on Sunday – Pentecost. It’s a daunting privilege. For many of us, Whitsun rolls off our tongues more easily than Pentecost. Pentecost is actually the older term, as Whitsun arrived in England with the Normans in 1066! A corruption of White Sunday, it refers to the clothes worn by those who were baptised on this seventh Sunday after Easter. Late in the twentieth century, churches began to revert to the term Pentecost and this was aided from

I’ll be honest: I often find prayer difficult. Not because I don’t believe, or because I think it doesn’t matter — but because my mind wanders, my words feel clumsy, and I worry I’m doing it “wrong.” Some days I don’t know where to start. Some days I start then realise my thoughts have drifted. Other days I wonder whether silence counts when words won’t come. That’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus knew we’d overthink prayer. He knew we’d turn

It’s here! Assembly weekend this year in Sheffield! A huge thanks to the North East Area for all their support this year. If you are not able to be with us, we will miss you but there will be a basic live stream event and the day will be recorded for you to watch afterwards too. If you are joining us, hurray! Travel safe and I look forward to welcoming you. Let’s pray together for the weekend. Father God, thank you for the Congregational Federation. We thank you for our histo

As we come into the beginning of a new month, and as we feel the seasons continue to change, and the world around us open up to the prospects of all God has in store, shall we spend some time giving thanks for his gifts, and praying for guidance for what lies ahead. Loving Lord, we want to say thank you for all that you do for us and all that you give us. We look around and see the sunshine, and the rain, the plants growing, the flowers blooming and everything seems right wit

During a recent weekend night patrol as a Street Pastor, I had a profound conversation with someone in need. Alongside my colleague, we were able to signpost them toward the help they desperately sought, and most importantly, we prayed together. This moment has lingered in my mind and spirit, prompting me to pray for those facing loneliness in our community. Whether they are believers or not, everyone deserves our compassion. Reflecting on the heart of Jesus, who reached out

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." Matt 6:6 (The MSG). Eugene Peterson’s beautiful translation of Matthew 6:6 offers a way of prayer that we should try to follow. True prayer isn't a stage; it’s a sanctuary. It’s the one place where the mask can be dropped and the script

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9 (NIVUK) The Congregational Federation has a challenge for churches and individuals each month printed on its calendar. For April it’s about prayer. Try Praying is a Scottish organisation that is helping people to pray. Believe it or not lots of people don’t know how to pray and the resources from Try Praying are th

Oh, head that once was crowned with thorns ... Is crowned with glory now ... Lord, teach us to remember the words of Jesus, our Saviour: If you want to be my disciples you must take up your cross and follow me. Help us Lord as we follow Jesus into a world of rejection by the many and hopeful expectation of the few. Help us to humble ourselves as our Lord Jesus did, to empty ourselves of all that is self-serving so that we can submit to the call of God upon our lives, however

“Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times”. Romans 12:12 I don’t have to tell you that our world is currently suffering so much turmoil and strife, and I feel it is more acutely felt at this time of year, especially by Christians as we progress through Lent into Easter with all that it means. The news on our televisions is full of death and destruction. Very depressing to watch and hear about the world’s troubles. In my opinion it’s a

There's a row of detached houses which back on to the tram line into Nottingham from Clifton South park and ride between the Ruddington Lane and Compton Acres stops. I see them each time I take the tram from the Park and Ride to the office. They fascinate me. The houses look like perhaps they were built in the 1950s or 60s but over the years they have been extended up and out. Each addition to the houses is different - meaning that houses that started off uniform ("copy and p

Let’s pray: This day I am asking You God for an awareness of Your Spirit, to remind me that the God I serve is the Great I AM. That small as I am by comparison, my faith in You is big and I do believe You to be Great, to be loving, to be wise and that You actually do care for me. So today, as an act of faith in Your desire to relate to me, I am asking that I get a sense of Your Greatness - perhaps now as I pray or maybe at another time today. I am created in Your image and,

Changing names is hard. On our honeymoon, we went into a Building Society to take out a mortgage and when asked for my name, ON MY HONEYMOON, I gave my maiden name! AI reliably informs me that although X took over Twitter in mid-2023, until “X” surpasses its legacy as Twitter in the public consciousness, we will still hear journalists say or write “X formerly known as Twitter.” I feel sure that I have been asked to write about prayer on the first Friday in March before, the d

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me... Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely... Search me, God, and know my heart... Lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:1–6, 23–24 Psalm 139 reminds us that God sees our thoughts, our routines, our anxieties, our hopes—and still surrounds us with love. Before we speak a single word in prayer, God already knows our concerns. Despite this, prayer can feel daunting at times. We worry that our minds wander

A prayer for the first week of Lent. Lord, as we come into the season of Lent, help us to use this time to really focus on you and what you are saying to us. Help us to know that you love us and that you want good things in our lives. Thank you for choosing us, for being with us, for all your encouragement and love, and for the difference you make in each of our lives. May we feel your presence with us as we bring to you our prayers today. Help us to find time in our busy liv