Night Prayer
What is Night Prayer? Well, as the title suggests, its held at night (Friday nights at 10:00pm to be precise) and it involves prayer. Both of these are true but go only a little way to describe what for many people in the University has become the high point of their week.
The very beginning of the style of worship used in Night Prayer was the formation, in the 1940s, of a small community in a remote village called Taize in France.
This was the start of the realisation of a dream in the mind of Brother Roger who in 1941 wrote, “The defeat of France awoke Powerful sympathy. If a house could be found there of the kind we had dreamed of it would offer a possible way of assisting some of the most discouraged, those deprived of a livelihood and it could become a place of silence and work.”
Ever since then the community of Taize has thrived with thousands of people, young and old, travelling there to worship together with people of different countries and religious backgrounds.
The reason that Taize was, and still is, so popular is in its style of worship which strives to be totally ecumenical. A major part of this worship bases itself on the chants specifically written for the community which are now used throughout the world.
The chants, unlike those of plainsong, are simple, easy to sing and most importantly, incredibly melodious and beautiful.
In Night Prayer these chants are used, interspersed with prayers, poetry and gospel readings, to form a relaxing, uplifting and highly meditative half hour which can be very welcome at the end of a busy week.
Christis asked a few regulars about their feelings on Night Prayer.
“There is a time for everything — time to weep and to laugh, time to mourn and to dance, time to be silent and to speak. Thus suggests the author of Ecclesiastes, (Ecc 3:1–8) and further to his statements could be added ‘a time for charismatic worship and a time for night prayer.’
Coming from what would be described as a worm-level Anglican church (lower than low), and now attending a Christian Fellowship, Night Prayer is in many respects a complete opposite to what I am used to. No dancing or clapping, no words of tongues; instead meditative prayer interspersed with the beautiful, repetitive Taize chants. Contrast indeed.
Or is it really quite such a contrast? Certainly totally different in it’s outward form, two observations cry out to be heard. A minor, but important point is that Night Prayer does not purport to be a full church service; it is a very special form of prayer meeting, and a complement to such services. Of course it is different but there is undoubtably a time for such a meeting; surely it can be infinitely valuable as a means to giving us a sense of balance and a wider perspective of the infinite richness of the Lord our God.
As a postscript I would like to add that on first attending, I was concerned it might be just a retreat for those who loved the music and a good way of lowering defences against the infiltration of the Enemy. On reflection, I realised that it could be thus if that was all you wanted to make it. I have continued to attend, and have found Night Prayer a source of enrichment and reflection most valuable.”
Wulf Forrester-Barker
“The first time I heard about Night Prayer it was just another one of the many events happening all over campus in the first week at University, so it was a few weeks before I ventured into Heslington Church with a few friends, wondering if it would be any different from the average prayer meeting.
One of my friends had been the previous week and seemed to enjoy it, but from what he said it seemed rather boring and not to my tastes (tending towards the evangelical) at all. When I went, though, I found a situation where I could pray, sing and generally come closer to God than I could at any other time.
It wasn’t necessarily the music (although beautiful) or the words (although occasionally thought provoking), but it was the chance to sit (albeit on a not too comfortable floor), pray and meditate fully, without distraction, for a full half hour and come out of the Church afterwards refreshed, satisfied and maybe not with all my troubles behind me but certainly feeling that some of my prayers had been answered.”
Paul Salaman
Night Prayer is held every Friday during term at 10:00 pm in Heslington Church. All are welcome (not just Students) and there is time afterwards to have a chat and some free hot chocolate (which comes highly recommended).
For more information on Night Prayer contact Tim Elbourne (Anglican Chaplain).
Literature on the Taize community can be found in most Christian book shops (e.g. SPCK and the Barbican).