West Malling Abbey
Nigel Day brings us the following report on the Prayer Day recently held at West Malling Abbey, near Maidstone.
Nigel
Despite major traffic problems which delayed some of us, a group of seventeen people attended the first “Prayer Day” held at the beautiful West Malling Abbey. After a wonderful, friendly welcome from the Guest Sister we were given full access to the lovely grounds, a chapel reserved just for us and an invitation to join the resident Benedictine Nuns for their mid-day prayers in the main chapel. The Sister explained that as the Order was a “Closed Order” we would not be talking to any other Nuns at the Abbey but mentioned how the place had been steeped in prayer over the last 900 years!
Refreshments were freely available throughout the day which made everyone feel relaxed and eager to participate in the varied sessions. The first on how to pray and develop a prayer life was brought to us by Lieut-Colonel Joy Steadman-Allen and was extremely helpful and thought provoking. After a coffee break Jean Jones introduced us to different ways of praying, including practical demonstrations using stones and water. During this session we were privileged to attend the Nuns’ prayer time and although not allowed to sit or communicate with them we could hear the singing of the psalms, prayers and collects for the day. A beautiful sound as the unaccompanied voices resounded around the huge chapel.
Joy 
Jean
Next followed a communal lunch with more than enough food to feed everyone! The break also allowed us time to explore the gardens and to attempt the labyrinth marked out on the grass. Some made it despite the occasional shower.
Lieut-Colonel Ray Steadman-Allen gave us an insight into the use of music in prayer and how he wrote his pieces with the words in mind and being the most important aspect. The final session, after tea and a cake kindly made for us by the Sisters, Theresa Tranah led a time of intercessionary prayers for numerous different subjects. This showed us how we can take even everyday incidents to God in prayer. We had taken with us the prayer wall compiled by the KAOS youngsters and added to by the Songsters during their prayer time one Sunday Evening which meant there were always subjects to be prayed for at any time throughout the day.
Ray 
Theresa
Those who attended felt they had benefitted from the day which ended with a closing session led by Major Kathy.
Kathy
Although the day was planned out there was ample time to relax together and commune with God in special ways. We hope to organise further similar days to which everyone will be invited although the Abbey restricts us to just 20 attendees due to lack of space. Our thanks go to all those who prepared and led us so well . Here are some more pictures.
