During 2026, we are having an especial focus on prayer, building on our 24-hour Wave of Prayer in September 2024. Church communities across Bath and Wells have been sharing stories of prayer where they are.
In the Ham Hills Benefice churches came together in prayer across one day. Each church had an hour slot in which they focused their prayers on their search for a new Rector.
As Susan Laycock, Reader shares the day was a wonderful opportunity to be united in prayer.
“For seven hours we prayed, one church per hour. Starting at a frosty 9.00am on Epiphany through to 4.00 pm that afternoon prayer flowed gently round our Benefice and up to Heaven.
The idea had been mooted by one of our Readers at a Ministry team meeting that perhaps some more concentrated prayer was needed in our search for a new Rector. Hours were allocated on a “first come first served” basis and each church given the space to do what suited them best with help available from the Ministry Team if wanted.
"Some sat in a circle together, some in the pews. One church set up prayer stations for silent prayer next to the font and the high altar, the table of past Rectors and in the nave. Music was played in some churches, Taizé in one and harp music flowing like living water in another, while others chose silence. Bible references to God’s love and concern and the need for hope and patience in our faith were available. People stayed for the whole hour or just a few minutes and some prayed at home. One church member prayed in a church in Paris on his holiday. Someone’s Godson in Australia gathered his friends together to pray in the late evening there.
"One of our Patrons said he would pray at his Morning Prayer service, we sent the Benefice Vacancy prayers to the Bishop and our Area Dean came to the last hour of the day.
Was it a success? That isn’t the right question really. It is far too early to know who will eventually come to us as our new Rector. But the comments we received said yes it was. Two of the churches said we should do this more often. Another person commented on the beautiful sense of peace in their church.
"It wasn’t difficult to organise and used the creativity that exists in so many of our churches. We would certainly recommend others to try it in this year where the Diocese wants to focus on prayer."
St Edwards Church, Goathurst,
At St Edwards the church community decided to set up prayer stations inside the church and invite the wider community to come and explore different ways of praying. Churchwarden Brenda Smith explains, “ Revd Eleanor suggested that we set up Prayer Stations in the church for January's Opportunity Sunday and invite the community to come and explore different ways of praying. We had six stations around the church, plus a resources area. The church was heated and refreshments provided during the morning service slot, but the 'stations' were also left in situ for the following week and people did drop in.
“The plan going forward is to have one designated Prayer Station at various locations in the church throughout the year, each with a different focus. We are eagerly awaiting our opportunity to view the Diocesan Prayer Boxes that are circulating for more ideas!”
St John's Church, Frome
St John's Church community has committed itself to praying, through the year for persecuted Christians. They have partnered with a charity, Aid to the Church in Need, which ministers to persecuted Christians across the globe. St John’s has set up a prayer station for people to come, every day, to pray. Each month there will be a specific focus on a different group and there will be a prayer service each month dedicated to praying for this group.
Wells Cathedral
As part of the Diocese of Bath & Wells’ Year of Prayer, throughout 2026 Wells Cathedral will be inviting everyone to explore prayer through a special series of events and activities.
If you would like to know more about the Year of Prayer and the resouces available please visit the prayer pages of the diocesan website. If you would like to share your story or photos please email the Communications team comms@bathwells.anglican.org