Published on: 08/07/2025
What are you like when you’re hungry? Are you the sort of person who is able to skip meals because they’re so absorbed in their current activity? Or do you count-down to your next meal, looking forward to it as soon as you’ve finished your previous meal? (I’m the latter, by the way – a proper foodie!)
Whatever your hunger-persona might be, we can agree that we all need nourishment – both for our physical bodies and for our spiritual lives and leadership.
In the list of Core Qualities of Focal Ministers, it says that they are “nourished and sustained by prayer, scripture and sacrament.” Whether you are a Focal Minister or not, would you say that you were nourished and sustained by prayer?
The image Jesus gives to us in John 15 of abiding in the vine and remaining connected to Jesus is helpful here, and has shaped some of the support we offer to Focal Ministers as they prepare for authorised ministry. Prayer, in whichever form it takes, is one of the main ways in which we keep the connection with the vine. We yield to God in prayer, we confess our need of Him and we allow Him to develop fruit in us.
This is true for all disciples, and is crucial for those in any form of leadership. Abiding in God’s love through prayer keeps us close to Jesus, and also reminds us that we are dependent on Him – we’re not branches floating out there on our own, not rooted in anything.
The vine has deep roots and draws up nourishment from the soil, which flows through the branches and produces fruit. If you’re like me, your prayer life may not always feel like it is fruitful, and some of your prayer times may not leave you feeling particularly alive and full of energy, But we can trust that however we pray, God nourishes and sustains us both in our discipleship and in our ministry.
Sometimes the trellis which upholds the branches of the vine needs adjusting, extra supports need to be added after a storm, or the soil needs different nutrients to cope with different conditions. Your prayer life can be adjusted and supported in the same way, and I would encourage you to engage with the various resources provided by the Diocese on Spirituality, particularly the blessing of spiritual accompaniment.
All of this is good practice not just for yourself but for those who you lead. If you want to help your church to grow in prayer, why not try the prayer course? It is free, accessible, and comes with group leader notes.
Later this month there is a ‘Pause to Pray’ retreat day at the cathedral – suitable for anyone, including those in leadership.
If you are a Focal Minister, you’ll receive a monthly email containing details of events and resources, and at the end of it we always ask for your prayer requests. Please do let us know of how we can be praying for you – both personally and in your ministry. It is our joy to do so.
This week’s Blog post was written by Beth Burras, Lead Lay Ministry Enabler