I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my soul shall exult in my God;
he has clothed me
with the garments of salvation,
and covered me with the cloak of integrity...

Happy annunciation day to those who celebrate
🥳 #Prayerinpublicspaces

Clear skies, a road without too much traffic. A bicycle propped against an aluminium table and chairs outside a cafe

Another glorious morning for prayer: 4km roll from Frosterley to Stanhope. Flat white. Prayer. Thanks be too God.
#ClergyWhoCycle #PrayerInPublicSpaces

White coffee mug on a metal table in a cobbled high street.

A simple coffee in a chilly high street. Holding the people of Upper Weardale in prayer.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Champagne cycling cap next to a cup of coffee on a table with a glass top.

Bicycle leaning against an outdoor cafe table with a cafe behind. The cafe is painted blue with gold lettering. "Cafe 1909".

A selection of cakes behind a glass counter.

The coffee menu! Gold lettering on a pale blue background.

Now then.

#PrayerInPublicSpaces with a Flat White in Stanhope (the largest geographical civic parish in England).
#ClergyWhoCycle

Coffee on a table in a charming little bookshop.

New Leaf independent bookshop in Slaithwaite:

Thus says the Lord, my word that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

#Word
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Seek, and you will find.
Knock, and the door will be opened.

Last day in York, and final opportunity to join the Minster community for morning prayer.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Coffee in the sunshine

Praying for everyone in Marsden and Slaithwaite:

In the darkness of unknowing,
when your love seems absent,
draw near to us, O God,
in Christ forsaken,
in Christ risen,
our Redeemer and our Lord

#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Two coffees and a colourful notebook outside a cafe on a wooden table

As the deer longs for the water brooks,
so longs my soul for you, O God...

Praying for everyone in Marsden and Slaithwaite this chilly autumn morning at Culture cafe, with Grumpy Mule coffee. #PrayerInPublicSpaces

Two coffees on an outside table in the sunshine. Deep shadows cast.

Coffee in the sunshine of Slaithwaite, psalm 103 contrasts:
God knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are but dust.
Our days are but as grass;
we flourish as a flower of the field;
For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Rain clouds sweep across the Colne valley, as seen from the Vicarage window.

Rain cape to the ready... Morning prayer in Marsden, cycling three miles with a headwind full of rain - and reflecting on God's unconditional love. Heart, soul, mind and strength. 🙏
#ClergyWhoCycle #PrayerInPublicSpaces

From the rising of the sun to its setting...

praying morning, noon, and night while on the road. Holding you in my prayers too. 🙏🥰😇

#PrayerInPublicSpaces

The night has passed and the day lies open before us, let us pray with one heart and mind...
#PrayerInPublicSpaces #ClergyWhoCycle

A colourful book on a cafe table in the window of a small shop, looking out into the street.

The windows are thrown open and the world is invited in. Prayer for the people of Marsden and Slaithwaite...

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he set our sins from us.

Let us pray with one heart and mind...
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Peel Street Social balcony window over the river Colne surrounded by trees.

Who doesn't love a balcony seat beside a river? The lush green of West Yorkshire kissed by soft rain on this warm summer morning... what a blessed place to pray:

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Coffee on a table outside a cafe in Marsden. Bicycle in the background - as always with me.

Time to pray
In Marsden today:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits...
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

For he knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are just dust.
Our days are but as grass;
we flourish as a flower of the field;
For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone,
and its place shall know it no more.

#PrayerInPublicSpaces
#MorningPrayer

Spa Cycles bicycle leaning against a wall outside Peel Street Social in Marsden. Bright and dry weather. Cafe tables tucked neatly along the pavement.

A good day to pray: here in the centre of Marsden, holding all within the love of God:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Colourful notebook next to two cups of coffee on a cafe table in the sunshine. Spectacles resting on the notebook, a tiny green succulent in a pot on the table. Bright sunshine.

Glorious weather for this habit of praying in local cafés...
...As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Coffee on a table, in the background, beyond the shop window are the red and white barriers of roadworks.

Rain and roadworks moving #PrayerInPublicSpaces indoors... @Acorn&Pip Slaithwaite...
...Wait for the Lord;
be strong and he shall comfort your heart;
wait patiently for the Lord...

Coffee in the street at a cafe table. Book and glasses on table. Cyclists in background.

"for we have had more than enough of contempt"

Morning prayer in Slaithwaite. Holding our community's needs before God: O Lord, have mercy upon us...
...our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of the arrogant, and of the contempt of the proud.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

The top of the Colne Valley above Marsden, in the middle of the moor. The A62 passes by.

Blessed are you, creator God,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your Spirit moved over the face of the waters bringing light and life to your creation...
pour out your Spirit on us today
that we may walk as children of light
and by your grace reveal your presence.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Coffee on a cafe table beside the street in the bright morning sunshine. Diary and glasses to hand.

Slathwaite on a sunny morning, coffee to hand, holding our community in prayer.

The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. One day pours out its song to another and one night unfolds knowledge to another.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Inside a cafe, Peel Street Social, a blue mug of coffee sits on a pink menu, spectacles folded in front of them. Wooden tables blurred behind. A sense there a laptop on another table

You who remind the Lord,
take no rest,
and give him no rest...

Delighted to call myself a God botherer this morning. #PrayerInPublicSpaces #MorningPrayer in Peel Street Social, Marsden

Empty plate and empty cup on a cafe table

A theology of dirty shoes: spending time with people who don't care about God. Today's prayer in public spaces is:
* being present
* listening
* eating all the cake
* riding my bicycle
#PrayerInPublicSpaces #ClergyWhoCycle

A street view from a cafe table. Journal and small plant on the table top. Zig zag lines of a crossing. No traffic. Disused woollen mill in the background.

"But let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you" ...
My Vicarious duty, praying for everyone who lives in Slaithwaite, Marsden, and the surrounding communities. The Church of England Daily Office from a commercial café.
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Cafe with two coffees, a bullet journal, a bicycle bag, and a moodily lit environment. Wooden tables, pastel coloured cups.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits...
Morning prayer from Peel Street Social in Marsden:
for those in fear
for those who are abused
for those in debt
... dear Christ, help us
#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Today is a day to hear the voices of those who have been persecuted

In times of terror, O God,
give us boldness
to act with courage, yet with mercy

#PrayerInPublicSpaces

Two coffees on a table in a cafe, behind a window, a snowy street scene outside.

Vicar on a bicycle in the snow, cycling though the churchyard.

I can't believe I'm having to pray indoors. It's only a light dusting of misery! Morning prayer inside Acorn & Pip for the first time in ages... coffee stays hotter longer... Let us pray with one heart and mind...
#PrayerInPublicSpaces #Slaithwaite #Slawit

Cafe table, with coffee and pot plant and glasses strewn across the surface, mobile phone propped up with Daily Prayer App open. The table is outside on the street. Repurposed woollen mills in the background.

It's chilly, but sitting in the village to say my prayers pops me into the business life of our community - forms connections with those striving to make ends meet. We talk. My prayers envelope them. #PrayerInPublicSpaces #DailyOfficeApp

Bicycle propped against a low stone wall beside the river Colne. A Weir is in the background, the trees are winter bare.

🎶
As I went down in the river to pray...
🎶
Marsden & Slaithwaite: being a visible priestly presence in the community. 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, (says God)'
#PrayerInPublicSpaces