Pray what you hear

This week the college community has committed to pray continuously, 24-7, using our prayer room. A rota has been drawn up so that at least one person is praying in a one hour slot 24 hours a day till next Thursday. This morning it was my turn, and I went to the prayer room intending to do one thing but found myself doing something quite different.

I came to pray through a psalm, to reflect silently on the words. But 9am on a Friday morning is not a silent time, so this morning I prayed what I heard ...

Keys jangle in a lock, some colleague arriving for another day of work - bless them, bless all of us who work here.

Hammering starts up somewhere, loud, solid hammering. Is something being repaired? Something being built? Thank you God for the diverse skills you gift to your people.

Suddenly the door bangs (and I jump!), now I am alone in the prayer room. But not really alone, all around is the evidence of prayers offered in the last few hours - pictures, words, post-its. Part of a community, even by myself.

From below comes the sound of singing, faint at first, but then I hear it - "King of Kings, Majesty" - praise you King of Kings.

Outside I hear voices in the corridor, muffled and indistinct, people talking. Talking work? Talking theology? Talking sport? Talking X-Factor? It could be any of these - ICC conversations can be diverse, to say the least, and I thank you God for the seriousness and the laughter.

Downstairs someone is speaking now - bless him in what he has to say, and through his words bless everyone listening.

Then voices in the corridor grow louder, there's lots of laughter and talking, people are on their way to class. Lectures beginning for another day. Speak to that class today - show them more of yourself.

Outside the door I hear the rustle of a carrier bag, the door opens and an 'angel' appears with a big box of chocolates - blessings indeed! (And it would be rude not to take one, right?!)

And now there is silence, all the sounds seem to have stopped just for a time, and in the silence I listen, listen for God's voice. For although He speaks in the sounds, it's in the silence perhaps that he speaks to the heart ...