The Prayer Garden

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Today we invite you to join us in meditating on the stations of the cross, remembering 14 precious moments in the final stage of Jesus’ journey to the cross. This ancient practice of retracing Jesus’ steps is designed to help prepare us for Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate the resurrection. 

In this practice, we do not pass over the suffering of our Lord, but stay with Him in His suffering. While we often find it helpful to see where Jesus is present in our own lives, the stations of the cross are an invitation for us to be present with Him in His final hours; to follow in His footsteps, even unto death. 

Each station will start with a reflection, followed by an opportunity to pray, and a collection of readings that pair with each moment in the story.  

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A prayer before making the Stations of the Cross (Karl Rahner): 

Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, I kneel before your blessed cross. I want to open my spirit and my heart to contemplate your holy sufferings. 

I want to place your cross before my poor soul that I may know it a little better, that I may receive more deeply into my heart all that you did and suffered, and that I may realise who it was for whom you suffered. 

May your grace be with me, the grace to shake off the coldness and indifference of my heart, to forget my everyday life for at least this half hour, and to dwell with you in love, sorrow, and gratitude. 

Amen. 

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We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Reading – John 12 & Zechariah 9
Prayer – A Palm Sunday Prayer

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On this day of great rejoicing, Lord Jesus Christ
When we welcome as our saviour, we also walk in the shadow of your cross.
Hosanna! Save us we cry.
Blessed are you who come in God’s name to save us.
Hosanna! Save us.
Strengthen our faith on this Palm Sunday so that when the time comes to carry the cross we might still call out to you with heartfelt praise.
Give us the grace and the courage to follow you this Holy Week from death to resurrection,
from darkness to the fulness of light.

We need you,
Lord Jesus Christ, our saviour.
Hosanna!

Amen

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We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Reading – John 20:24-27 & Hebrews 11&12
Prayer – A prayer in doubt

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Lord Jesus Christ, I believe and trust that you are the only-begotten Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
But like your Apostle Thomas, I am troubled by doubts and uncertainties. 
Because he loved you, you showed yourself to him, and confirmed his failing faith with loving compassion.
Keep my heart true to you in faith, hope, and love, despite the darkness of my mind,
You have promised blessedness to those who do not see, yet still believe.

Fulfill your promise, draw near to me in your holy word, in your sacraments, and in the communion of your church.
Send forth your light and your truth, let these be my guide.
With hands of faith stretched out to you, 
let me touch your saving wounds, 
so that in truthfulness and trust I can say with Thomas,

My Lord and My God!
Amen

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Reading – John 7:11-17 and 1 John 4:7-10
Prayer – A prayer of Persevering Love

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Father, you love with an everlasting love, because you are love itself.
Your love sustains the sun and the other stars,
You are the loving life of all that is.
In love you call us into being, you sustain us in our freedom,
Even when we exercise that freedom to turn our backs on you.

Teach us to love as you love, to love without limit or reserve
Teach us to love with love that sets the loved one free,
To love with love that seeks to give, not to take.
Teach us to love not only those who love us,
But also those who hate or are indifferent to us.
Teach us to be patient when our love is not returned,
and teach us to love and trust you,
Even when we feel your absence,
and feel you are not there.

Amen

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Reading – John 11: 32-44 and Hebrews 4:14-16
Prayer – A prayer of St Hildegard of Bingen

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Jesus Christ, the love that gives love,
You are higher than the highest star;
You are deeper than the deepest sea;
You cherish us as your own family;
You embrace us as your own spouse;
You rule over us as your own subjects;
You welcome us as your dearest friend.
Let all the world worship you.

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Reading – Isaiah 11:1-9.
Music –  ‘Distant Water’ by Chelsea McGough.
Prayer – Christmas Prayer of St Ephraim.

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This night brought peace to the world: let no-one be angry or cruel
This night brought stillness and calm: let no-one threaten or disturb
This night belongs to the gentle One, let no-one be bitter or harsh
This night belongs to the meek one, Let no-one be haughty or proud
This night brought to us our forgiveness: let no-one look for revenge,

This day is the day of gladness: let no-one spread sorrow around them
This day is the day of rest: let no-one break its peace
This day God drew near to sinners: let no-one stand in judgement over others
This day Abundance became poor for our sake,

Let the rich man call the poor to share his table
This day came forth the gift we had not asked for,
let us give to those who ask and beg from us
This day threw open heaven’s gates to prayer,

Let us open our gate to all who seek forgiveness,
Today the changeless Lord of all was changed
Today the eternal God accepted the seal of our humanity,
that our humanity might be adorned with the stamp of his divinity.
Praise be His holy name.

Amen

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Reading – Luke 1:46-55.
Music – ‘Godnattsaga’ by Beneath The Mountain.
Prayer – Richard Baxter.

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Keep us, O Lord
while we tarry on this earth 
in a serious seeking after you 
and in the affection of walking with you every day of our lives
that when you come, 
we may be found not hiding our talent, 
nor serving the flesh, 
nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished, 
but waiting and longing for our Lord,
our glorious God for ever

Amen

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and help you pray for the world.

Reading – Luke 1:26-38.
Music –  ‘Hammer and Felt’ by Beneath the Mountain.
Prayer – Adapted from “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.”

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In the dark streets shines an everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Him tonight. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in - be born to us today. 

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Amen.

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

St Peter’s Bethnal Green invites you to celebrate Advent with us.

Reading – Isaiah 9:2-7.
Music – ‘Ensamheten’ by ‘Beneath The Mountain’.
Prayer – A prayer for Advent.

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Lord God, we adore you because you have come to us in the past.
You have spoken to us in the Law of Israel.
You have challenged us in the words of the prophets.
You have shown us in Jesus what you are really like.

Lord God, we adore you because you still come to us now.
You come to us through other people and their love and concern for us.
You come to us through men and women who need our help.
You come to us as we worship you with your people.

Lord God, we adore you because you will come to us at the end.
You will be with us at the hour of death.
You will still reign supreme when all human institutions fail.
You will still be God when our history has run its course.

We wait for you, the God who comes.
Come to us in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Prayer Garden is a podcast from St Peter’s Bethnal Green to help you meet with God and pray for the world.

Reading – John 15:1-17.
Music –  ‘Reminiscing’ by Yehezkel Raz.
Prayer – A prayer of abiding.

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Lord Jesus,
I abide in you. I make my home in you.
Would you abide in me and make my heart your home.
Apart from you, I can do nothing
Apart from you, I have no good thing
Apart from you, I will never bear fruit.
But in you, I can ask for anything
In you, I have everything In you, I will be fruitful.
I will not lean on my own talents and gifts
nor strive for worldly success and acclaim
I will lean on your grace and sufficiency.
And rest in your heavenly joy and identity.
For I am not your employee but your child
neither am I a strongman, but a sinner
Jesus. Purify me from worldly motivations to seem impressive, successful, and powerful.
And create in me a heart that is gentle, humble, and dependent on you.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

________

We are an eclectic church community at the heart of East London which worships Jesus in scripture, Spirit, and the sacraments. We hope to be a safe haven to whoever steps through our doors.

Although our church building is currently closed, we hope that we can meet you in many ways, including through this podcast.

Find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.