This Sunday we met away from the bandstand at  Cromford Meadows for a mini pilgrimage / prayer walk. It was especially good to have our good friend Chris join us and to see Michele, post-thesis – well done! We shared some opening words and then everyone followed a route with some suggested ideas to stimulate prayer. These are the ideas that we were given:

The Tree                               Take a moment to look at the new buds opening on the branches of the tree at the start of this reflection. Marvel at this new life.                            What are you saying to me Lord?

As you walk across the meadow towards the river, let Psalm 100 inspire conversation with God.

On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.

Follow the river embankment and use any of the following to inform your thoughts / prayers

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Saviour,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 23 :1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.

Take time to look at the trees – the deadwood, the signs of new life… to listen to the birdsong… become aware of all creation praising its Creator…

Turn back towards the car park.

Psalm 121:1-2                                    

I lift up my eyes to the mountains –
where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

As we see homes and buildings we turn to the needs of the world. We name those places in the world where people are crying out for help.                       Jesus help, be close, save…

Go through the Gate towards the Canal

We remember Jesus saying that he is the Gate – the way in and the protection for the sheep… As we go through, we quietly name those we know who have not yet come to that gate or entered through it, for those searching for the way, for those oblivious to the way, for those lost… May they find the gate opening before them, enclosing them…

The canal

As we come to the canal we think back to the days of horses pulling the canal boats along.  We turn to intercession – we cannot change the journeys that others find themselves on, but we can ‘pull them along’ in the prayer support we offer.  Perhaps some slow walking here – any direction you wish, as you draw these people to Christ – to still waters, for the restoring of souls, to comfort…

We gather around the picnic tables to share Bread and wine… (Using  Steve’s words from a couple of weeks ago)

We finished by walking to Colin and Michele’s for coffee, tea and cake.

The sheet concluded:

Jesus met his friends at Galilee after his resurrection and called to them:

‘Come and have breakfast!’

Come and eat, drink and discover Jesus amongst us…

And we did!