The latest stop on the Lord’s Prayer Tour of the north of England took place on Tuesday 17 June at Carlisle CathedralCathedral (Latin cathedra' throne') Church which contains the throne of the bishop and hence the mother church of the diocese. People gathered from across the DioceseDiocese A geographical area composed of a number of parishes, under the administrative and spiritual jurisdiction of a Bishop. of Carlisle to reflect on The Lord’s Prayer and its significance for today’s world.
The evening began with a showing of Then as Now, a short film by Oliver Murray which explores the enduring significance of the Lord’s Prayer.
Young people involved in a Wigton cell group, part of the Solway Network Youth Church, shared some of the things they had learned whilst looking more deeply into the words of The Lord’s Prayer. Lewis, one of the group’s members said, “When we studied The Lord’s Prayer we found that the prayer JesusJesus (Greek form of Hebrew 'Joshua' meaning 'Yahweh [God] is salvation') Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded mainly in the Four Gospels although he is also mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus (c. 37-c.100) and the Roman historian Tacitus (c.110). taught all those years ago is still relevant and has meaning today. Sometimes praying feels overwhelming but the Lord’s Prayer feels like it’s relatable, like a life guide and role model.”
Following this, Stephen Cottrell, ArchbishopArchbishop Bishop who also presides over a group of dioceses or provinces. of YorkYork 1. A Roman city and early centre of Christianity. 2. Diocese and province under the leadership of the Archbishop of York. shared the importance and relevance of The Lord’s Prayer to our world today. Those present were encouraged to pray and live by it as part of their daily missionaryMissionary Someone sent out to share religious faith. discipleship, using it as a pattern for living.
Theo Sheridan-Watts, Programme Manager for FaithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. in the North said, “It’s been great to be at Carlisle Cathedral and see people engage with The Lord’s Prayer in different ways. Listening to people talk with each other about what they find inspiring and challenging about the prayer shows that it is as relevant to us today as when Jesus taught it to his disciples. Our hope is that this will prompt further discussions and many will look afresh at this ancient prayer.”
Archbishop Stephen said, “I was delighted by the welcome we received in Carlisle today. People were open and willing to engage with the challenge of The Lord’s Prayer and think about how this can show us the way to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.”
The tour is part of the Faith in the North initiative which looks to encourage a movement of prayer, storytelling and church planting inspired by the Northern Saints. The focus for 2025 is The Lord’s Prayer, for 2026, Pilgrimage, and in 2027, BaptismBaptism The Sacramental rite of admission into the Christian Church. The candidate is immersed in or sprinkled with water in the name of the Trinity and may also be anointed with oil..
View more photos from the evening on Flickr
