Genesis 12v4, what better place to start? Abraham was an old man when he began one of the greatest adventures in the world's history. It may have been partly an adventure of a nomadic tribe, aimed at new lands, wealth and trade. But it was certainly also a spiritual adventure, and adventure of faith. He undertook the journey convinced that he was not only talking with God, but that God was talking to him. In return for Abraham's trust and obedience he received promises from God to possess the land of milk and honey (Canaan), to see his people grow into a great people. Abraham did trust God and the rest is history, declared in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament. Abraham's adventure was not just a geographical journey, it was an adventure of trust and faith in his God. This trust and faith are prayer.
Walter Williamson is not as old as Abraham was, but he is on a journey, as each of us are at St. Boniface. We are all on an adventure which includes aiming at new horizons, wealth and trade not necessarily material, but then again why not, it is still a part of the Christian life.
God has made His promises to His people, to us. Such promises will be realised in direct proportion to our trust and faith, which may be interpreted as prayer.
On the 9th November I was inducted into a magnificent House of Prayer, and I preened when I had overcome the initial sense of shock and awe at its size and as jealous brethren (in Christian love) remarked at its magnificence plus caring concern! over the costs of maintaining such a house. My mind flashed to Judas, but it was a serious question. How does one justify a great amount of money being spent on a building? Perhaps the money should be channelled for the relief of poverty and suffering - after all we are Christians playing the role of Good Samaritan in 1999, which is an important part of our Christian culture?
A response. The medieval builders who bequeathed to our land the rich treasure of our ancient shrines would not have understood the question; God was to them the very heart and soul of life, without whom man would have little hope of mastering life's problems. The importance of their Christian faith was expressed in offering to God the most magnificent House of Prayer it was possible to build; prayer being the means of union between God and man.
I guess what is so often overlooked today is the truth contained in the words "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". Material things are not sufficient to maintain the health of spiritual people. Our failure to recognise our spiritual nature and dimension in life, lies at the heart of much of the suffering and abuse in this country. No city or village can hope to become sound or healthy where the House of Prayer is passed by.
As a part of our response to be the Good Samaritan in this vast parish of Bunbury, I would like to see St. Boniface to be a centre of prayer. A place where everyone can gather for refreshment for their souls, to receive inspiration, guidance and to realise God's promise to them. A place to go to resolve individual problems, to perhaps talk through issues, to be prayed with or for. A place where people can catch the vision of God "Where there is no vision the people perish".
I hold a view which is unless we each build our own house of prayer within ourselves we are going to find it increasingly difficult to be united in God's house for corporate worship. Christian prayer is also corporate even if we are alone. The Lord's prayer emphasises this in the words "Our father", "Give us", "Forgive us", "Lead us", and "deliver us".
Back to Walter and the imagery of Abraham; we would like to make possible a House of Prayer in which a structure of prayer can be offered. A place where we can develop our prayer life. A place to go and someone to go to, to be prayed for or to pray with.
I of course will always be available to do this as well, but I also need to go somewhere.
So Walter Williamson has been asked if he would be a focus for the church prayer. And he has agreed.
He will be someone to go to, someone to ask for prayer. Walter would be one of many who will be praying for the people of the parish, and he will be the focus for all those who are able to join in a constant flow of
prayer for the people in the parish, for those who minister in the parish, for those who are sick. To pray constantly, without ceasing until "...it shall be on earth as it is in heaven"…
R.J.G (Rick)
... So. how do I see this "focus" in operation? Well - ultimately, to put everything into God's hands; our situations, our concerns, anxieties - either for ourselves, or our loved ones, our friends, or others.
My first reaction when Rick approached me on this was, "Why me?" And I panicked "I am not very good at praying," I told him. And so on. But he was undeterred. (He can be very persistent!) Somehow I was reminded of all the people we read of in our Bibles, who, when asked to take on some task for God, made every excuse in the book! But God says in effect, "Don't tell me what you cannot do; show me what you can do!"
It is in that sense, then, that I approach this prayerful task. Not as some expert; I do not set myself up to be an expert with all the slick answers. Often there are no slick answers! But, as I understand it, anyone who wants to talk over a particular problem or situation, can do so with me, at our home or using St. Boniface Church as the base. I shall not give advice, nor judgement. I am not qualified to do either. But I believe I can listen. I believe that if I have any gifts, one such gift is my ability to listen. Then together, we can lift the situation or the problem to God, in prayer.
I will make myself available either at home or in St. Boniface at a mutually convenient time. No doubt we shall set out hesitatingly. But, as Rick has used the imagery of Abraham, no doubt Abraham set out hesitatingly.
It is the start of a new adventure for us all. It is serious business, for in the end, I believe it is God's business.
Walter Williamson
next page Deanery Magazine Feb 1899