INITIATIVES
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Norwich City Walls Prayer Walking initiative
Call
to Prayer has a heart to establish prayer walking over the whole of
Norfolk and it has begun by concentrating on central Norwich, within
the old city walls. Biddy Collyer reports.
Mother Julian, an anchoress who was based at St Julian's Church, Norwich, wrote the first book in English by a woman. "Revelations of Divine Love" is the account of her meditations on the cross and since its rediscovery it is having a profound influence on modern spirituality.
Another important person was Thomas Bilney, one of the foremost fathers of the Reformation came from Norfolk. He was burnt at the stake in Lollards Pit, near the banks of the Wensum, in 1531. After a period of economic decline, the 19th century saw Norwich once again prospering thanks, in large part, to Christian philanthropists such as Jeremiah Colman and George White.
In the seventeenth century, the doctor, philosopher, Thomas Browne, author of one of the foremost books of the Early Modern period of English literature, Religio Medici , used to prayer walk around Norwich. Among his private papers after his death was found this comment, "to pray more and pray always, to pray in all places where quietness invites me to pray, in the house, on the highway, and on the street. And I have resolved to know no street or passage in this city that may not witness that I have not forgotten God."
We believe that by once again following his example and covering our city with prayer, we can have a powerful spiritual impact on it, bringing new life and health. There is evidence that hermits lived above some of the gates that guarded the city, their prayerful presence affecting the "comings in and goings out". It is with this in mind that we would once more want to guard our city with prayer and thus influence it spiritually for the good.
We have called the project of researching the spiritual history of Norwich "Re-digging the county Wells" because we are aware of the importance of working with the spiritual roots of the city. We have made a start by concentrating on the area of Norwich bounded by the city walls, all of which can either be seen or traced. The city has been divided into 12 segments (see map right), based on the old gates that used to guard it.
If you are interested in the spiritual history of Norwich, and want to know more about what is involved in Re-digging the Wells and prayer walking our city, come to an exploratory meeting at the House of Prayer in St Edmunds Church, on Fishergate, NR3 1SE, at 7.30 pm on Wednesday February 1.
Other prayer initiatives that you may want to get involved with are:
Prayer 4 Clevedon
Prayer 4 Clevedon is a simple vision - Christians FROM all aspects of life in the town, gathering to pray together FOR all aspects of life in the town. More details on our website: www.prayer4clevedon.net
Praying for Change
Praying For Change is a prayer initiative facilitated by Tearfund to equip people to pray intelligently for issues of justice and compassion. Join us in prayer today. Sign up now.
