I photographed this rainbow at the end of those many April showers that we have been getting recently. But at least the weather is to get drier and warmer across Ireland as we head towards the weekend

‘It doesn’t matter how you pray – with your head bowed in silence, or crying out in grief, or dancing. Churches are good for prayer, but so are garages and cars and mountains and showers and dance floors. Years ago I wrote an essay that began: Some people think that God is in the details, but I have come to believe that God is in the bathroom.’ ~ Anne Lamott

There is a growing awareness today how beneficial prayer can be in our spiritual lives. We sometimes think that prayer is long, complex and boring. We certainly feel it’s beyond our reach. But in many ways it is within our reach and especially when we apply prayer to those everyday events that happen in our daily lives. We can find God present in what we do right now, be it out for a walk, reading a book, working in the garden, getting in some exercise or watching the beauty of nature. The list can never be exhausted.

There is something powerful when you see communities gather together in prayer. We have all seen situations when there is a sudden or unexpected tragedy in a parish, the community gathers in their local church for a planned prayer service. The coming together gives purpose, meaning and hope. Those who attend will always say it brings great peace and comfort. It’s not about finding the right words, but that so many gather together as a show of support and love is so powerful. It is my heartfelt belief that God is also present bringing healing and love.

So if you find prayer difficult right now, just know that there are so many people praying for you right now. Even when all seems lost and gone, there is hope because of the support and prayers of others.

Thought For The Week is updated each Monday