David Adam

A course to lead us into a deeper awareness of the ever-present God. There are times in our lives when we struggle against the darkness, seeking to disperse the gloom. Advent comes at the darkest time of the year when the nights are longest. It is about the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, who comes to us, transforming our darkest days by his presence; it's a special time of candle-lighting. Candles in the Dark is an Advent resource for groups, but it is an equally valuable and enriching book for individuals, comprising six sessions which include scripture readings, music, candle-lighting and visual symbols, prayers and reflections. Each session draws meaning and inspiration from a special theme: the Patriarchs, our ancestors in the faith, such as Abraham and Moses; the Prophets, for example Elijah and Isaiah: John the Baptist; the Virgin Mary; the Shepherds and Wise Men - those whose faith shone out like candles in the dark, who brought us the Light and the Word, through whom the Lord sought to guide us, who prepared the way, who came and sought the Lord. He seeks to be born in us, and awaits entry into our hearts, our lives and homes.

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David Adam's writing on prayer and spirituality is loved the world over. In this book, we have gathered 1000 of his finest prayers and arranged them thematically for the key seasons of the Church year and all areas of Christian life. The result is an invaluable resource for those who prepare worship. Contents Introduction Blessed be God! Call of God The Christian Year Encountering God Intercessions The Journey of Discipleship The Journey into God The Human Journey Celebrating the Faith Blessings Specifications Book Format - Paperback Published - February 2009 Page Count - 1000 Dimensions - 152 x 233 x 16mm ISBN - 978-1848670686 ISBN 10 - 1848670680

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Looking and Longing is a weekly course for groups, looking at characters from the Old and New Testaments. It covers not only Advent but also the Christmas season to Epiphany. It aims to help us to open our blinded eyes and see, to open our ears to God's call, and to open our hearts to his love.    

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One of the desert fathers once said 'Joy is the echo of God's life in us.' This six-week course aims to celebrate the joy of knowing that everything we do - even the problems and trials we face - is transformed by our awareness that God loves us and comes to us. Each week from Advent to Epiphany the course looks at a passage of Scripture where we see joy or delight expressed: the joy of Creation, the psalms, the triumph of joy over adversity, the joy of Mary, the birth of Christ and the love of God. To explore the Scripture readings, David Adam employs the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina. The purpose is not to study the Scriptures but to be still and open enough to hear the echo of God in our lives.

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Many people look upon prayer as a long distance call when in reality God is present and waiting to meet us. Our God comes today and comes to us. Advent celebrates this joy. David Adam is celebrated as one of the world's finest spiritual writers, and these prayers are some of the very best - succinct, full of meaning, attractive and easy to read. They will help you to celebrate the God who is with you, and who comes to you.

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It is better to light a candle than to complain about the darkness.' Advent and Christmas are about the Light of Christ coming into our lives, to conquer the darkness for each of us. Each service in this book is based around a candle lighting, to mark Christ as the Light of the World and also to observe that we take this light into our own hands and hearts as we turn towards him. Welcoming the Light has been written in a way that also makes it suitable for individual worship, lighting a candle to welcome the new day and to commit our lives to God.

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Light has long been a symbol of power and hope, a reminder of the abiding presence, peace and love of God; of triumph over darkness. The services in this book take inspiration from the many different ways candlelighting has been used over the centuries for devotion and thanksgiving. There are services for special occasions including Advent, Titles of the Christ (the 'O Antiphons'), Easter and All Saints as well as for relevant themes: Birth, Journeying and for times of darkness. They are adaptable so that they can be used at the lighting of the candles in church before the Eucharist, at home as an evening devotion, at the start of a Bible group, or with each candle prayer used as a meditation in itself. Each service is structured to include a welcome, candle-lighting, special intention and closing prayer, with a focus on quiet reflection in the presence of God and the aim of carrying his light out into the world.

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We live in a world of rhythms and seasons. Each day has its sunrise and sunset, its day and its night: each year has its spring, summer, autumn and winter. The services in this book aim to give a rhythm to the year that is based on the Church's teaching and helps to keep us in touch with the complex patterns of ourselves and the world around us. They focus on the major festivals of the Church year, with opportunities for morning and evening prayer as well as for themed occasions such as birth and in times of darkness. In all our worship we affirm that God is always with us, he never leaves us: in his love he enfolds us. Rejoice, for the Lord is here and his presence is with us. The material in the book has been drawn from Candle Prayers, Rejoicing in Newness of Life, Welcoming the Light, The Way of the Cross and Remember War, Make Peace.

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