21. Getting through – God and prayer in the busyness 

A resource for quiet reflection and prayer in small groups, during
services, and for personal devotions

Aims

• To explore how we and God can “get through” to each other even in times of unavoidable busyness.
  
•  To recognise when we need to make more space and stand back, checking out and resisting unnecessary busyness.

Focal point
Beforehand, invite people to bring something which represents the busy times (e.g. a diary).  This will be arranged during the session around some candles floating in water which are lit at the start. 

Leader's introduction
Invite people to think for a moment or two in quiet about the different meanings of “getting through” and remind people of the prayer of General Lord Astley before the battle of Edgehill: “Lord, you know how busy I must be today. If I forget you, please don't forget me.” Does that ring bells for today? 

• Light the candles as a sign of the presence of Christ and spend some time looking at them and gathering thoughts.
  
• Invite people to hold their “symbol” of busy times and all that it means and feels like.
  
• When people are ready, they can “offer” their times to God and of they wish share what they wish about them. Pray for each person after each offering in the silence. Take your time! Pray that Christ may shed light on the times.

Getting through  in the busy times
The leader can select from the following material:

• Unattended moments. A very busy professional who also had a large young family shared with a Christian friend how “quiet times” seemed to squeezed out, with accompanying guilt. Over the course of a few months of reflection he realised that God still managed to get through – an unexpected insight through an everyday scene, a word in a hymn or a TV programme. He learned to look forward to such moments and cherish them.
  
• Prayer exercise: In a period of quiet each person asks God to show them where there have been unattended moments in the day. These can be cherished and shared. The writer Angela Ashwin talks about the value of short prayers and phrases of scripture which have spoken and can be used during busy times to thread events and demands together. Some people use a version of the Jesus Prayer: “ Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy. Prayer exercise: In a period of quiet each person considers prayers to use when you have a shower, turning on the computer and waiting for it to load programs.

Music e.g. “The Lord's my shepherd” (perhaps in a new version). 

There's a fridge magnet which has a picture of two disciples with the caption – 
“ Jesus is coming! Quick, look busy!” Is this the Jesus our church and daily lives suggests we follow? Is there another side to the picture? 

Look at Mark 6.30-32. Examine the context and ask, "Why does Jesus say what he does?" Does this “command” surprise people in the group? Can people think of times when Jesus took time out? (e.g. Mark 1.35, Luke 10.23, Luke 10.38). 

Prayer exercise 
In the quiet take Jesus to a place which you find peaceful. Sit down with him in your imagination and talk these questions over: 

is there busyness you can and should avoid? 
do you find it easy/hard to relax? Why?
Where are your quiet spaces? 
Do you need more space, play, rest, nourishment, variety …?

Music and final reading 

The Lord is my pace-setter I shall not rush. 
He makes me stop for quiet intervals. 
He provides me with images of stillness 
Which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency 
Through calmness of mind. 
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, 
I will not fret for his presence is here,
His timelessness, his all-importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity 
By anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility. 
My cup of joyous energy overflows. 
True harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours.
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord 
And dwell in his house for ever. 
                                                                            “The Lord is my pace-maker" by Tokio Megashio

Extra resources for further ideas and follow up
Joyce Huggett     “God in the fast lane” (Eagle)
Angela Ashwin   “Patterns not padlocks” (Eagle) 
John Pritchard     “How to pray” (SPCK)

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