Report by Rebecca Paveley

[ACNS source: The Door] Thousands of people are expected to pause for prayer at the launch of a new mission started by the Bishop of Oxford.

The “yourkingdomcome” prayer mission will kick off on All Saints Day, 1 November, and will run until Advent with a whole series of events around the Oxford Diocese.

The aim of the mission is to stimulate churches and individuals to look again at their prayer life. Due to the stresses of everyday life, many find it difficult to set aside time for private prayer, but with divisions both abroad and at home, prayer is now more important than ever, said Bishop Richard.

“It is absolutely fundamental to everything we do, both as individuals and a Church,” he said. “Everything we do that is not rooted and grounded in prayer is useless. We have to revivify our prayer life - like everything else, it can get stale. This is a chance to give it renewed impetus.”

The power of prayer has made headline news recently, as scientists hailed a new study which proved its healing powers. Independent research found that heart disease patients were 'significantly helped' when prayers were said on their behalf. The theme for the Diocesan Prayer Mission - yourkingdomcome - is based on the Lord's Prayer. It also ties in with the fact the period from All Saints Day until Advent is known as the Kingdom season, when we are encouraged to think about God's Kingdom.

Bishop Richard said nothing surpassed the Lord's Prayer. 'It is absolutely extraordinary how the Lord's Prayer continues to be so sustaining and fresh day by day. Often other prayers seem exciting at first but nothing keeps sustaining us like the Lord's Prayer. When you consider the sort of world we are in at the moment, the problems in Iraq, the awful cycle of violence in Palestine and Israel, we need prayer more than ever before. The Church also needs prayer, to help it through current divisions.”

Though the event has been planned for months, its timing is particularly relevant following the furore in the Diocese over the proposed appointment of Canon Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading. The Archbishop of Canterbury called for a period of reflection following the controversy this summer. The prayer mission hopes to encourage people that listening is as important in praying as speaking. Events will be held in the three Archdeaconries to mark the start of the mission. In Berkshire, a day of seminars and services will run from 9:30am to 4pm at St George's Church, Wash Common. There will also be a series of seminars, and Bishop Richard will preside and preach at the Eucharist. No booking is necessary. In the Buckingham Archdeaconry, Bishop Alan Wilson will be in the Wendover and Newport deaneries and there will be a host of local events.

In Oxfordshire, a day of events will start at 9:30am at the Marlborough School in Woodstock. There will be workshops, a creche and lively worship.

Religious communities will also be involved with “yourkingdomcome”. Most offer hospitality for retreat and help with prayer. Movements like the Quiet Garden Movement combine hospitality in the quiet space of a garden with help and teaching on prayer.

For more information about "yourkingdomcome" please contact:

Diocesan Church House
North Hinksey
Oxford OX2 0NB
Tel: +44 (0)1865 208200

www.oxford.anglican.org