How to plan a ‘Faithful in Prayer’ Quiet Day This leaflet helps you plan a simple but effective Mothers’ Union

Faithful in Prayer Quiet Day.

What is a Quiet Day?

It is an organised day for sharing structured space, quiet and

prayer with people in order to be quiet together, to reflect and

take stock of one’s life and spiritual journey, and/or that of the

organisation in which one works. Words, pictures, music, symbols and

other things may be included, but the quiet will be the special

emphasis throughout the day. It is important to be flexible in

sharing and planning this day to suit the people and the situation.

Numbers

Anywhere between 5 and 25 is fine but usually no more than a maximum

of 35 is recommended to ensure space, a sense of belonging and a

comfortable place to be quiet.

Place

Use a Retreat House, another church or church hall, a private house

or somewhere else where you will have rooms set-aside for your use

only. If there are gardens and walks that will enhance the day. You

need a comfortable room to meet in, with enough chairs, but not too

many. Avoid a desk or large table for the leader, who will need

only a chair and small side table. The room could act also as

'chapel' if there is no separate place. You should create a worship

focus. You will need spaces, rooms and quiet corners to settle in.

The place will make its own contribution to the day. You will need

to visit it, to plan its arrangement for the day well beforehand, so

that the atmosphere you aim for will be created from the start.

Programme

There are many ways to structure the Faithful in Prayer Quiet Day.

Do feel free to plan it for your local needs. This is an example

that may help:

10.00 Arrival and coffee

10.30 Introduction to people and plans for the Faithful in

Prayer Quiet Day

10.45 Short opening worship,

followed by a short talk leading into silence on the

theme of Faithful in Prayer

11.15 A quiet period

12.15 Guided meditation developing the theme further or a

simple Eucharist

13.00 Lunch

14.00 A short talk on a different aspect of the theme

leading into silence

14.30 Shared or guided meditation or sharing session

Followed by a closing worship drawing everything

together.

15.45 Tea

Pointers:

1. Think about how you can be creative and celebrate the theme of

Faithful in Prayer for Mothers’ Union in your part of the world.

You can use the Bible, prose, poetry, fiction, art, music, objects

and symbols, members’ stories and experiences for reflection

throughout this Quiet Day.

2. Reflect on the local work of your members and support/affirm them

in prayer on this day.

3. Make this Faithful in Prayer theme a time to give thanks to God

for all that Mothers’ Union has achieved across the world.

4. You may also like to use our suggested resources on Prayer,

Reasons to Pray, Scripture texts referring to prayer and our Bible

Study on Luke 18:1-8.

Silence

Make sure that people know how long the silences will be and how

they will be led out of these. Otherwise they may fill the time

worrying about what they are supposed to be doing in the silence or

waiting for them to end rather than using them prayerfully.

People like to be led gently out of silence. A few words might

guide the group back to their original focus, then invite them to

become aware of each other and their surroundings and perhaps say a

short prayer. Be prompted by the Spirit, keep it short and simple!

Resources

Worship can be structured, liturgical or silent. The gathered

silence could be just that or a ‘Quaker’ silence, where some share a

thought, but no-one comments or interrupts. A bookstall with books

to sell or a library from which to borrow and return books is

useful, and the Day may include the use of music, pictures, creative

writing or drawing. Participants might bring their own favourite

devotional books or objects to be shared with others during the Day.

If handouts are to be provided take care about copyright as well as

clear, consistent and quality photocopying.

Organisation

Two people are important for the Day. One is the organiser, to see

to all the practical arrangements of booking, welcoming, furniture

shifting, labelling, car parking, toilets, cloakroom, diets, access,

bookstall, etc. The organisation may well be done by a team of

people. The other is the Leader, preferably someone with experience

of leading quiet days, to come with the thoughts and prayers which

will give content and shape to the Day.

The organiser or organising team would meet and keep in contact with

the leader, before, during and after the day (for evaluation). They

can consult about how the Faithful in Prayer theme will take shape

and arrange the whole programme together. Find out from the Leader

beforehand what expenses maybe needed.

Go in Peace

Quiet Days change our pace. Be careful as you step out and

negotiate busy traffic again.

Enjoy the Day

Join members in 81 countries in being Faithful in Prayer on the same

day around the world.

Tell us more

Please do tell us how your Faithful in Prayer Quiet Day went and

what you did.

For further information contact:

Faith & Policy Unit at Mary Sumner House

0207 222 5533 faithandpolicy@themothersunion.org