The Church of England has published a pocketbook of prayers for pilgrims, compiled by the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, which has been inspired by the growing popularity of going on pilgrimage.
“Pocket Prayers for Pilgrims” recognises that “record numbers” are going on pilgrimage, and provides spiritual refreshment for those seeking God along the road rather than in the pew.
Bishop John himself is passionate about pilgrimage and has led a number of pilgrimages to the Holy Land and elsewhere.
“On pilgrimage, without our usual defences, we become more open and receptive to God – and now there is a prayer book to refresh us on that journey of insight, wisdom and healing to our chosen destination,” he said.
“I would encourage everyone to go on a pilgrimage – either in this country or abroad. Whether visiting a local church or a famous pilgrimage site, you can walk with a pilgrim’s heart, to be with God in order to be more fully in life.”
Pilgrimages have been made by people of faith throughout history, with the journey – by walk or drive, alone or with others – being as spiritually significant as an inspirational destination.
Including prayers by John Bunyan, Teresa of Avila, Sir Walter Raleigh, St Patrick and many others, the prayer book – perfectly designed to slip into a traveller’s pocket – includes encouraging verses from the Bible and prayers from Common Worship; the chapters are named To Be a Pilgrim, Life as a Pilgrimage, Setting Out, Special Places, The Journey, Companion on the Way, Resting Places, Through Many a Danger, and Arrival and Homecoming.
One prayer reads:
Set out! You were born for the road – the pilgrim’s road Someone is coming to meet you Is seeking you In the shrine at the end of the road In the shrine at the depths of your heart Anon
There is a selection of prayers for those choosing to make a pilgrimage in their own home or local area.
Pocket Prayers for Pilgrims, compiled by John Pritchard, is available now from Church House Publishing, Official Publisher of the Church of England (ISBN 978 0 7151 4238 7, price £6.99) at www.chpublishing.co.uk or from Christian booksellers.
Notes
85% of people in Britain visit a church in any one year for many reasons apart from services of worship; see http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/facts-stats.aspx.
Himself a pilgrimage devotee, the Bishop of Oxford is visiting 15 churches of spiritual significance to the Diocese of Oxford in July to promote The Pilgrim Project, which comprises the publication of the booklet Pilgrimage: A Simple Guide, a diocesan pilgrimage map, and prayer leaflets for all 15 churches.
For more details, see http://www.oxford.anglican.org/the-door/features/thinking-about-pilgrimage-in-2011.html.
In 2010 the Bishop made a return trip to the Holy Land with 116 pilgrims from the Diocese.
Popular Anglican pilgrimage sites in the UK include Canterbury Cathedral, Walsingham, St Albans Cathedral, and Durham Cathedral.