The Llandaff and Monmouth Festival of Prayer is an important date in the Church in Wales diary. An inspiring day of worship and prayer, attendants explore spirituality, how prayer can deepen our relationship with God, unique techniques of prayer and meditation and have intriguing discussions of faith, practice and theology.The Reverend Moira Spence has been at the heart of the event each year, bringing together a catalogue of stimulating speakers and workshops that make the day so rejuvenating.Here, Moira gives her account of the history of the Festival of Prayer:Book your place at the Festival of Prayer 2023By Rev'd Moira SpenceA seed was sown by The Revd. Canon Andrew Meynell my DDO and Training Incumbent when he handed me a leaflet for Oxford Diocese Festival of Prayer. That seed grew into what is today the Llandaff & Monmouth Festival of Prayer Day which has traditionally been held on the 2nd Saturday in July.Chaos reigned on the morning of the first festival in 2016 but it all came right, the day was a success, and we had a wonderful God-given day, so we carried on. People returning year after year (bar Covid pandemic). Thankfully with the help of technology, and experience, the Festival day is a highlight within the year for many as it is offers excellent R&R.Speakers have been vast and varied over the years. Bishops come and go from Bishop Barry, June Osbourne, to Cherry Vann, but it all carries on. Some of the well-known speakers have been Brendon O’ Malley, Julian Maddock (London Centre of Spirituality), John-Francis Friendship (London Centre of Spirituality), the world famous John Bell of the Iona Community, Edward Owen Priest and Franciscan, Aidan Hart (world renowned iconologist who takes people into a deeper understanding of what icons mean), Ameira (Cardiff born and bred Islamist and University Chaplain), Martin Lewis (Chaplain to the Wales Rugby Team) and for 2023, the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.The Festival is now hosted in St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School, Cardiff. The location is fabulous with easy access and parking. The layout for the day ensures a community feeling as the rooms used are all close together. It is laid out with its marketplace stalls to browse, grounds in which to have some fresh air, to sit and enjoy a coffee or lunch that has always been excellent offering a good variety of food and plenty of friendly chat. The day always begins with a service followed by coffee. The workshops are places of learning more in the scheme of the Christian life enabling much food for thought and something to take into the future. To name a few of the Workshop titles over the years: ‘God’s Amazing Plan for our Lives’, ‘Your Will be Done’, ‘Compassion in Society Today’, ‘Relaxing into Stillness’, ‘Circle Dancing’, ‘To Hell’s Mouth’, ‘Poetry and Prayer’, ‘The Worship of Taizé’, ‘Towards a Contemplative Ecology’, ‘Islam, Spirituality & Prayer (without any prayer)’. People say it is hard to choose three Workshops with the smorgasbord offered.People attending cover a wide spectrum from Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Baptists, and Methodists and more. There have been people from Peterborough to Bournemouth (who picked up a leaflet in Llandaff Cathedral) as well as Llandaff and Monmouth. Join us for an inspiring day of worship, prayer, exploration, and hear engaging speakers. Experience a prayer labyrinth, choose to learn something new about Christianity and its life.Interested in 2023 Festival Day have a look at www.festivalofprayer.liveComments from past Festival of Prayer participants:I attended the festival of prayer back in July and had a really good day, so much so I thought I would write a short piece for our Parish magazine and post the date for next year’s festival. I thought the content was amazing there was so much to choose from it was hard to decide which workshops to attend. I took something away from all my choices. I came on my own without knowing anyone but everyone was chatty and friendly and keen to share their experiences over lunch (the food was also excellent). I was very taken by the venue, I had no idea church secondary schools were still being built. The labyrinth, the chapel, just to see such a modern school. I thought the prayer cards we were given was inspired. I got the feeling from chatting with others that the festival is growing, I wondered how many people attended this year compared to last? It was a very rewarding day.Every aspect of the Festival of Prayer Day was really wonderful. The Eucharist Service was a special blessing, and all 3 sessions that I attended were very informative and more importantly I feel, contributed to my personal spiritual growth.Thank you for your (and the team's) support to our members whilst on duty at your event yesterday in St Teilo's Church in Wales High School - we were made to feel very welcome. Hope all your delegates and other event participants had an enjoyable and worthwhile day. Thanks / Diolch (St John’s Ambulance)During the first session, a gentleman came in a bit late and happened to sit next to me. I didn't take any notice of him until the session ended and I turned to speak to him - to sort of exchange pleasantries - then nearly fainted! It was John Bell himself, one of my "Pin-up Boys", the theological equivalent of Elvis Presley!!! When I got my breath back we had a lovely chat. And I went to both his sessions in the afternoon. He did not disappoint. It really was a superb day. I look forward to seeing you next year.It was a blessing to be able contribute. It was a fabulous day. The venue and the food were excellent, and I loved the goody bag, especially the bracelet and the story of the bracelet. I will be finding out more about that charity and, of course, keep all the children at the schools in my prayers.“It was a great pleasure to speak at this year’s festival of prayer - there was a real buzz on the day, everyone was excited about the programme of speakers, and the audience really engaged well with my talk on the Lord’s Prayer, which was based on my last book “Living the Prayer” (BRF, 2017). This festival really is a wonderful way to challenge and develop our spiritual lives and I am very much looking forward to being there again next year! God bless, Trystan HughesThank you for a wonderful uplifting and inspiring day yesterday and all your hard work in organising it. We did thank the catering staff for a superb lunch and the Head teacher for his humour and patience in helping us locate rooms. Thank you again and look forward to next year's festival, God bless you and all involved in the day.Thank you so much for today - it was great. The best one ever for me! Trystan Owain Hughes to begin & then 2 doses of John Bell -wonderful. The service at the beginning was uplifting too. I will be there next year - God willing!Thank you for such a wonderful Festival of Prayer. It was so thoughtfully prepared in every way and it exceeded all my expectations. I loved the pink goodie bags and all it’s contents. Such a nice touch and I’ve included the prayer requests from the children in my morning prayer. I particularly enjoyed the Ignatius workshop and of course John Bell was his usual dynamic self. So well done to you and your team!All eight of us who made it to the day had a wonderful time and are already resolving to book in for next year! Please could you let me know when the programme is available so that we can select our options!I certainly was very encouraged by the response I got to my sessions, and I felt that the range of workshops was great. It enabled people to try something familiar as well as something which might have seemed new. Many thanks to you and the team around you. Every good wish, John (Bell)