Saturday 7th February 2026, 10am to 4pm
St Bride's Church, Percy St L8 7LT

With regret we've taken the decision to postpone the Introduction to Contemplative Prayer day on 7th February. Mark who was due to lead it has been in hospital recently. Our prayers are with him and his family and postponing the day gives him more time to rest and recover. If you've booked for the day, we'll be in touch to arrange a refund and share a new date in due course

Over recent years many of us have begun to explore Contemplative Prayer, through our retreat days and in our private lives. 

St John of the Cross said, “the only language God hears is the silent language of love.” This language of love has been spoken and practiced by the Christian mystics down the centuries, and kept alive in the monastic tradition. But in recent years it has been re-discovered as a way of prayer for any Christian. When faithfully practiced it helps develop a relationship of great intimacy and depth with the God who is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
 
But for many of us, entering this land of silent prayer is not easy. This introductory day aims to help participants overcome the practical struggles that many of us face when we try to pray in silence, and enable them to establish a regular pattern of silent prayer using the practice of Centering Prayer.
 
Starting in 2026 Open Table in partnership with St Bride's and other churches in the local area we are launching a new regular Contemplative Prayer gathering.  We'll start with an introductory day on Saturday 7th February led by long term friend to Open Table Liverpool, The Revd Mark Waters.  

Revd Mark Waters is an Anglican priest currently attached to St Luke's Church, Crosby. He is a spiritual director and leads a contemplative prayer network across the Merseyside region and is accredited by Contemplative Outreach as a presenter of centering prayer.