Sanctuary

Sanctuary Hour

It's four o'clock on a Sunday.
We gather quietly in church.
Time for us to think and pray.

Valuable time away
from the busyness of the world.
Twelve of us meeting here today
for prayer and meditation
led by our elderly vicar.

Soft music. A quiet voice reading
from the Word of God..
Be still and know that I am God.

Silence - cloaking us
Silence - calming us
Silence - claiming us.

The candle flame flickers.
A breeze stirs the silence.
Silence enfolds us in peace.
Creative silence of thought,
and prayer. God's peace.

Silence. Deep cries to deep.
A snore. Silence shattered.
The vicar has fallen asleep.