We relocated and relaunched our Prayer Room in Spring 2025. The Prayer Room is a space for people to encounter Jesus, for themselves and for others. Here are 10 really great things about our new Prayer Room, compiled with the help of Sarah Schrack, our Impact Lead for the House of Prayer.
1. It helps people to pray. And prayer changes the world (and us).
Prayer is vital to our spiritual and mental health, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. ‘Prayer is the way we connect with God, but sometimes we can find it tricky for a variety of reasons,’ says Sarah Schrack. ‘In prayer rooms, there are prompts and helpful tools to get you started, so it’s a way to easily step into the conversations He is longing to have. Your community and this world will be changed by your conversation and requests with the Lord, because He is the only one who can change things. Even when prayer doesn’t change a situation, it always changes us.’
2. It’s fully accessible
Our new Prayer Room is on the ground floor of Waverley Abbey House, and open to all: staff, passers by, students, children (accompanied), visitors – everyone.
3. It’s creative
Not all prayer is silent and still, or confined to our hearts and minds. Prayer can be sung, drawn, written, danced… You’ll find all sorts of tools to help you pray creatively, in our Prayer Room. Maybe you’ll discover a brand new way to connect with God.
4. It’s bigger than before
More dedicated space for prayer can only be a good thing. We’ve already had feedback from people to say they love the new, bigger room.
5. It’s near the café
Not only does this mean it’s easy for our lovely pray-ers to grab a coffee before or after their time in the Prayer Room; it means the room is in view of visitors to the cafe. ‘It means that those who are curious can easily pop in and see what prayer is all about!’ says Sarah.
6. Views
‘But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you... In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.’ (Job 12: 7, 8 and 10)
Many people find that creation and/or nature helps them feel closer to God. There are views for days outside our new Prayer Room. People can soak in the greatness of God’s creation that surrounds our Prayer Room, and it will bring them closer to Him.
7. It has a door to the outside
Pray-ers can wander out to pray in the open air if they wish, and passers by can pop in. It also means the room can be used even if the main building is closed.
8. Flexible use
You can pray alone in the Prayer Room, or book a slot with your family, friends, church or other groups. Pray your way.
9. Time out
Prayer can take place anywhere, but it can be helpful to have a dedicated time and place to step away from the busy-ness of life and focus on God. Our Prayer Room provides just that.
10. In a place steeped in prayer
Waverley Abbey has a remarkable history as a site of Christian prayer and worship for over 1,300 years. People tell us it’s a special place to pray.
‘My absolute dream [for the future] is that we would be praying 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That Waverley Abbey would be what Isaiah calls “watchmen on the wall,” interceding for our nation and beyond,’ says Sarah. And we’ve made a great start towards that, with our Prayer Room open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
We would love you to come and spend time with God in our Prayer Room. Book your slot today!
If you’re new to prayer rooms and want to find out more, have a read of this introduction by 24-7 Prayer.
Dear God,
We lift up the Waverley Abbey Prayer Room to You, and we ask you to fill it with Your Spirit. We pray for every person who goes through its doors, that they will meet with You in a powerful way.
Amen