The recent Parish Away Day at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, reminded me of a story about Michael Ramsey, who was mentioned by Richard Carter as a Cuddesdon student who went on to be Archbishop of Canterbury. In my church in Enfield, we were blessed to have him lead a study day for us, many years ago.
The former Archbishop told us of an interview with a journalist where he was asked rather pompously ‘How much time do you spend in prayer each day, Archbishop?’
Rather mischievously, the Archbishop replied ‘Hmmm, about two minutes’.
‘But sir,‘ came the response ‘you’re the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Anglican Church. How can you spend only two minutes praying each day?’
With a glint in his eye, Michael Ramsey responded ‘Ah, but I take about two hours to get there’.
I find that response profoundly helpful. When I stop to pray, my thoughts are so often diverted towards the jobs that need to be done, the people I need to contact or the emails that I need to send. I’m finally realising that it’s not a failure on my part for that to be the case – it’s just the way that I am. Those things can be set aside (I find a note pad helpful) or even incorporated into my prayers. And rather than beating myself up about it, I can give thanks for the chance to get my mind in order. Like St Martin who divided his cloak rather than giving it away, we need to attend to our own needs at times of prayer as well as those of others.
Jeff Claxton
