28. Holy Week: 14 Stations of the Cross

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. 

________

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.

27. Holy Week: Palm Sunday

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

________

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.

26. Renewing Faith in times of doubt

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.

25. Renewing Love and Intimacy with God

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.

24. Renewing Hope and Confidence in God

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

________

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.

23. Fourth Week of Advent: Last before Christmas

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.

________

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.

22. Third Week of Advent: The Magnificat

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.

________

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.

21. Second Week of Advent: I am the Lord’s servant

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.”

________

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.

20. First Week of Advent: Let the light shine

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.

________

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.

19. Abiding in Christ always

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.

________

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.

18. Connecting with God working from home

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

Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
Music – ‘Open Ended’ by Keston Wright.
Prayer – Will Sorrell

________

Almighty God, Giver of Work and Rest,
I awake, and I am with you.
My commute is a trudge from bed to desk,
a stepping over toys and garments,
feet that feel like miles.
Ready my body to face unfamiliar tasks in this familiar place.
My eyes are prone to wander alone.
My ears are prone to hear my flesh over your Spirit.
My lips are prone to curse and lash.
My fingers and back are prone to cramp and complain.
My nose is prone to forget that every breath comes from you.
Let my eyes keep watch with you with care.
Let my ears hear the birds raise their carols to you.
Let my lips be patient on conference calls and voicemails.
Let my fingers and back find relaxation under tension.
Let my nose relish the home-brewed tea and remember.
O omnipotent and omnipresent Carpenter,
you who fashioned the lumber of the land,
you who breathed life into us from the dust,
you who are crafting this world anew,
build in me a confidence that I am your temple.
Make my heart believe that you are intersecting
the heavens and the earth in my very being.

________

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.

17. The Student's Prayer

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

Reading – Psalm 139.
Music – ‘To bring you back’ by Birds of Norway.
Prayer – St Aquinas.

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Creator of all things,
true Source of light and wisdom,
lofty origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of Your brilliance
penetrate into the darkness of my understanding
and take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of both sin and ignorance.
Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.

Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in completion; through 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.

16. Inviting Jesus into the mundane

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

Reading – Psalm 23.
Music – ‘Crocus’  by Jacob Pavek.
Prayer –  St John Damascene

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O Christ, my God,
You stooped down to me, poor straying sheep,
to take me on Your shoulders and have set me down in green pastures…

Lord, lighten the heavy burden of those sins of mine that have gravely offended You, purify my mind and heart.
Lead me by the right way as by a light enlightening me.
Enable me to proclaim Your word boldly, may Your Spirit’s tongue of flame give perfect freedom to my tongue and make me constantly attentive to Your presence.

Be a shepherd to me, O Lord and together with me, be the shepherd of Your sheep, that my heart may not cause me to swerve either to right or to left.
Let Your good Spirit lead me in the right way, that my actions may be carried out,
according to Your will – even to the end.”

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.

15. Praising God as the sun rises

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

Reading – Psalm 113.
Music – ‘Reminiscing’  by Yehezkel Raz.
Prayer –  A prayer of Dietrich Bonhoeffer while he was imprisoned by the Nazi Regime

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God, to you I call early in the morning.
Help me pray and gather my thoughts to yourself. 
I can’t do it alone. In me, it is dark, but with you is the light.
I’m lonely but you don’t forsake me
I’m faint-hearted, but with you is help
I am restless, but with you is peace
In me is bitterness, but with you is patience
I don’t understand my way, but you know the way for me.
Father in heaven, praise and thanks be yours for the night’s rest.
Praise and thanks be yours for the new day
Praise and thanks be yours for all the kindness and faithfulness in my past life. 
You have shown me so much good, let me now receive from you what is hard. 
You will not lay upon me more than I can bear.
For your children you let all things serve for the best.
Lord Jesus Christ, you were poor and miserable, captive and forsaken as I am. 
You know every need of humans, you remain with me. 
When no-one stands by me you don’t forget me and you seek me out.
I will recognise you and turn to you. Lord I hear your call and follow, help me! 
Holy Spirit give me faith that rescues me from despair, addiction, and vice,
Give me the love for God and humans that destroys all hate and bitterness
Give me the hope that frees me from fear and despondency…
Grant me freedom again, and let me live in the present so I can live responsibly.
Lord, whatever else this day brings,
May your name be praised. 
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.

14. Reflecting on the last chapter of the Bible

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

Reading – Revelation 22.
Music – ‘Equinox’ by Kevin Graham.
Prayer –  A prayer adapted from The Last Battle by CS Lewis.

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Lord Jesus, 
You are great and beautiful - no words can describe you. You are the real thing. Give us hope and faith to believe that we will see you face to face. That we will stand under your sky and smell the sweetness of your land. 
We will come home at last. To our real country where we belong. To the place we have been looking for all our lives. 
Our lives in this world and all the adventures we experienced are only the cover and the title page of the great story you have in store for us. Lord, we can’t wait to begin Chapter One of that great story. which no-one on earth has read, which goes one forever,  in which every chapter is better than the one before.

________

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.

13. Looking forwards to eternity and beyond

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

Reading – Revelation 21.
Music – “Equinox” by Kevin Graham.
Prayer - A Prayer adapted from “The day that He returns” by Evan Wickham.

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Beyond the borders of the soul, there flows a river fast and free
It rushes in swallows whole and carries loved ones out to sea
with broken hearts and faith filled eyes help us search for hope behind the hurt
Oh Lord, lead us as we grieve, believing we will see the day that You return

Though in this moment we may weep, the grave is not the final word
The song that spread the skies will make our bodies rise, the day that You return

I know the pain will fade away and peace will rule the years
But I need you now to help me see farther than the tears. 

Creation waits with baited breath for heaven’s heart to be revealed 
When all your children rise from death, and all the universe is healed
Your family from everywhere will gather in the open air 
To welcome Jesus home, his fire in our bones, the day that He returns 
United with our own to know as we are known, 
Oh how our Spirits yearn for the day that you return.

________

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.

12. Examining your conscience and guilt

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

Reading – Genesis 3:1-10 – 3:21-24.
Music – ‘Seasons’ by Jacob Pavek.
Prayer – St Anselm.

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Give me, Lord Jesus, in the exile of sin, the grace to eat the bread of tears and sorrow;To offer the sacrifice of a humble spirit, the broken contrite heart you do not despise Accept my prayer, though I have sinned against you, wipe away my transgressions.Strengthen the weak effort of my love to do your will. Rouse my heart and mind out of their sleep, And by the great fire of your love, kindle in me an ardent longing for the light of your presence.
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.

11. Walking in the Garden of Eden

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

Reading – Genesis 2:2-9.
Prayer – A prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours.

________

Spirit of God, on the waste and the darkness
hovering in power as creation began
Drawing forth beauty from clay and from chaos
breathing God’s life in the nostrils of man

Come and sow life in the waste of our being,
pray in us, form us as children in the Son
Open our hearts to yourself, mighty Spirit
bear us to life in the Three who are one

________

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.

10. Ushering in the new season with Jesus

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

Reading – Psalm 84.
Music – ‘Reverencia’ by Alice In Winter.
Prayer – adapted from the words of Henri Nouwen.

________

Lord, I stand 
Here in Your presence.
Here with mind and heart together,
Here as my undivided self.
Here Your Holy Spirit dwells,
Here the great encounter takes place.
Here may your heart speak to my heart.
Lord, I stand 
Here in your presence.
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.

9. Praying in the morning light

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

Reading – Psalm 30.
Music – ‘Better now’ by Philip Daniel Zach.
Prayer – John Henry Newman’s ‘Jesus Prayer.’

________

Dear Jesus
Help me to spread Your fragrance everywhere I go.
Flood my soul with Your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly,
that my life may only be a radiance of Yours.
Shine through me, and be so in me that every soul I come in
contact with may feel Your presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus!
Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine,
so to shine as to be a light to others; 
The light, O Jesus will be all from You; none of it will be mine;
It will be you shining on others through me.
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.