8 ways to keep the flame of faith alive

So here are some ideas which I hope will help you find ways of keeping the flame of faith alive during these difficult times.

1. While you’re having a walk, why not pray for the parish? For example, you can pray for your neighbours whose houses you pass when you’re leaving your home. You can pray for others in the village when you turn in the direction of where they live. You could pray for other church members when you see the Church spire, and I hope you’re remembering to pray the  Lords Prayer, (and say Psalm 23) when you hear the noon bells ring.If you’re up by the school, you can pray for children and families in this challenging time, and for teachers who are either still teaching children of key workers, or sending their classes online teaching materials.You could pray for the residents of our care homes, and the staff who work in them, and remember all those doing such good work in hospitals at the moment
   If you go to the shop, please pray for those who work there, and in the supermarkets, and don’t forget delivery drivers.
   As you walk past fields, you could pray for the farmers, who continue to work hard to feed the nation.…. You get the idea – use your imagination, and pray as the Holy Spirit nudges you
2. Its good for all of us to get outside, and whether you’re in your garden, looking at your garden from the window, or pausing on a walk, you might like to use this meditation from Oxford Forest Church – Forest Church Solitary Meditation Marchhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfordforestchurch/permalink/1626873964143063/
3. The Church Times is publishing a weekly page https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/media/5667634/church-times-lift-up-your-hearts-27-march-2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1rCVouy5P5GPFIMvFDiLIa4G249CtieITK5grMnMu4mxsy2gVfTv-vJ2g
4. Don’t forget that The Church of England has made its Daily Prayer Apps free of charge, you can find Daily Prayer (Morning, Evening and Night Prayer) and Time to Pray (a shorter prayer during the day) on https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/apps
5. If you’re unable to attend the funeral of a friend or relative, did you know that you can light a virtual candle here? https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/funerals/light-candle and here is a prayer you might like to use
   ​‘Dear God, thank you for [name] and for all they meant to me and to others
   I so wanted to say goodbye, to be alongside my friends and family.
   Help me to know that you are there, holding all my hopes, holding all I love,
   especially [name] and holding me this day.
   Be close with your peace and hope. Amen.
6. There will be services livestreamed on Sunday, including a Diocesan one from oxford.anglican.org/livestream 
   And I particularly like the weekly recorded Morning Service at
   https://www.rscm.org.uk/our-resources/hftd/
   which includes prayers and hymns you can join in singing – it’s at the bottom of the page.
7. If you have children around, you might like to try a few of the prayer activities at https://bespace547587990.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/becalm-activity.pdf
8. Make a palm cross for Sunday! You can make a paper one, instructions on Pinterest, or you could find a branch or some greenery in your garden and fix it to your door.