Commuters' prayer book released

Tue Nov 3 2009 20:25:52

Commuters have been singled out for special spiritual support in a set of prayers and reflections published by the Church of England.

Workers braving packed public transport in the morning and evening rush hours are encouraged to search for the "still small voice" of God, in Pocket Prayers for Commuters.

The Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, formerly Bishop of St Albans, and author of the book, said the month-long set of reflections and prayers had been inspired by his reflections on the "turbulence" of the modern working day.

He said that in spite of the hassle of commuting, real peace is "waiting to be found".

"Put it another way," he writes in the book's introduction. "Suppose that God himself is actually present with you, waiting to be discovered - the still, small voice hidden inside all the turbulence that you and your fellow-commuters face each day? It is not a fanciful thought."

He adds: "There is plenty of evidence in the Bible, and in the lives of Christians, that people under stress have found that God really is present with them, even in the most demanding or the unlikeliest circumstances."

To mark the launch of the book the Rt Rev Herbert has recorded an extract for a podcast, downloadable from the Church of England website.

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