Prayer Space at the Baptist Assembly 

For the duration of this year’s Assembly there was a space set aside for prayer and meditation. Alison Mackay explains more 

Five prayer stations were based on the old Benediction:

God be in my head and in my Understanding
God be in my eyes and in my looking
God be in my mouth and in my speaking
God be in my heart and on my thinking
God be at my end and at my departing.

At each of these stations there were creative activities for all the family, from making slime to floating paper boats on water. There were also opportunities to deeply reflect on the things that occupy the mind and heart, and ways to turn the things that we see around us into those living prayers of intercession.

In the “God be in my mouth” area, we focused on Confession and had a contribution from the Revd Sue Myatt who allowed us to consider confession without spoken word, by making the BSL sign for love, expressing our deep repentance to God.

On Saturday there were times when we marked the rhythm of the day by sharing the Northumbria Daily Office, a session on Godly play with Sian Hancock, and a creative hour on Clay and Play led by Jacqueline Osmund-Smith.

Much positive feedback was received:

• It was a lovely prayer room
• It was a fantastic room, well done - I'm sure it was a blessing to many
• Excellent variety of ways to engage
• The prayer stations were so inspiring. I got lots of ideas
• Fabulous prayer room. Started Assembly with Celtic Morning Prayer and shared in Godly Play later in the day – excellent
• It was just the space my soul needed Saturday, away from the hustle and bustle of people. Thank you for providing such a needed outlet.

Many people went away with photos and ideas to develop for prayer spaces within their churches. 

The Revd Alison Mackay is a Regional Minister for the Heart of England Baptist Association