Pray Without Ceasing

“Pray without ceasing.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:17, instructions taken to heart by The Ministry Area Of Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr who have spent 24 continuous hours exploring ways to pray.

The event began with the Venerable Mark Preece, Archdeacon of Margam celebrating the Eucharist on Saturday morning, and concluded with Bishop Mary celebrating the Sunday Morning Eucharist. In between all sorts of ways to pray were explored including Taize, Celtic Healing Prayers and praying through song.

At 5am on Sunday morning Simon Buckley led sunrise prayer outside as the sun rose in the distance, a chance to pause before the rush, to breathe, to listen, and to remember that every morning is a fresh start full of grace and promise.

Rev'd Mark Broadway, Ministry Area Leader for Pen y Bont ar Ogwr said, "I am, unusually, short of words as I try to sum up the experience of 24 Hours of Prayer, so many highlights, so many people to thank, so many moments of encounter.

God is at work in The Ministry Area Of Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr."

Huw, who led Compline, Prime and some of the periods of silent prayer said, "I thought it was wonderful, one of best things we've done as a ministry area, hopefully something to be repeated.

I particularly valued the mix of practices and styles of prayer and worship, as well as the hospitality and chance to mix and mingle with other people around the prayer sessions.

It had a real momentum in the Spirit, and was a great blessing!"

Prayer is never just a private act. Every time we pray, we bear witness to a love that holds the world and a hope that refuses to give up. In a noisy, divided world, prayer is a quiet resistance—an act of faith, defiance, and deep compassion. To pray is to love boldly, even when no one is watching.

What an incredible act of love and witness. Well done to everyone involved.