CATHEDRALNEWS

The Paradox of Freedom - Graham Tomlin (2019)

Graham Tomlin explores the distinctively Christian vision of freedom and suggests that Christian understandings of freedom work for personal flourishing as well as building stronger communities in a way that many popular secular versions of the idea are unable to. Recorded at St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday 5 May 2019.

God Made Strange - Lucy Winkett (2019)

In preparation for Holy Week, Lucy Winkett explores the scandal of the cross, what we can and can't say about the cross, and what this might mean for our faith, prayers and actions. Recorded at St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday 7 April 2019.

Jesus Christ: The Unanswered Questions - Rowan Williams (2019)

Rowan Williams says that how we understand Jesus Christ in central to how we understand everything, and he wrestles with the the defining question of our faith - who Jesus is. Recorded at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday 27 March 2019.

The Merciful Humility of God - Jane Williams (2019)

As we approach Lent, Jane Williams explores how God works for our salvation in ways so gently, so subtle and so apparently vulnerable that it is easy to over look their force calling us to walk in the paths of humility, for our own sake and the sake of the world.

Haunted by Christ: Modern Writers and the Struggle for Faith - Richard Harries (2019)

The Rt Revd Richard Harries explores some of the novelists, playwrights and poets who have meant the most to him and considers why it is that literature can teach us so much about how to be a person of faith. Recorded 3 February 2019 at St Paul's Cathedral.

What is Prayer?

‘The will to pray is the essence of prayer’ wrote Thomas Merton, and ‘the secret of prayer is a hunger for God’. Stephen Cottrell describes himself as ‘an experienced beginner’ at prayer who has never got much beyond this, but says his long apprenticeship has taught him that the beginning and end of prayer is the longing to know God and to be known by God. But for many people profound questions remain.  Is God really listening?  Does what we pray affect what God does?  Also, why is it that everyone struggles with prayer; shouldn’t it be easy? Stephen Cottrell will reflect on what prayer is and how we might begin, or begin again, to pray more authentically.  The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell is the Bishop of Chelmsford. He has written widely on evangelism, spirituality and discipleship, and is the author of numerous books including How to Pray: Alone, with Others, at Any Time, in Any Place (Church House Publishing, 3rd edition 2010).