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DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER: 18TH NOVEMBERDEAR FRIENDSBy the time you read this, the clocks will have gone back and we shall be well into the dark time of the year. But before November sets in, we have been treated to a glorious and uplifting tapestry of Autumn colour. I have been encouraged by the news that the new Archbishop of Canterbury is to be Sarah Mullaly, formally the bishop of London. She will be no stranger to the demands and expectations which come with that role, but she will also have to contend with extra pressures from some in the Anglican Communion, who can be less that charitable in their attitudes towards women in leadership. She will need our prayers to support and sustain her. This week, as I write, we have been uplifted by the ceasefire in the Middle East, seeing the captives from both sides reunited with their families and food and supplies going in to relieve the suffering in the Palestinian territories. However, only a day or two later there were reports of executions and shootings and threats of refusing further aid convoys. Who knows what the situation will be tomorrow, let alone in the future. We continue to pray. We can pray for the peacemakers, for the infinite wisdom and patience they need. But when it is unknown how such intractable problems can ever be solved, our very best prayer is %u201cYour Will be done%u201d. (NB. that%u2019s God%u2019s will be done not my will!) It happens that the reading from the New Testament set for Sunday the 19th Oct. %u2013 the day after this letter has to be with the Editor %u2013 is Jesus%u2019 story about the judge who was too idle and careless to give a widow the justice she deserved. In the story, she keeps on bothering him until, just to get rid of her, he finally acts on her behalf. The story is about prayer, encouraging us to be patient and persistent, not because God is like the judge in the story but because He will answer our prayers according to His timetable not ours.It is never easy to grapple in prayer over a huge world problem or a personal difficulty, especially when nothing seems to change, but we are encouraged not to give up or to feel that our problem is too small to bother God with or too big for Him to handle. It is said that prayer is always answered. The answer might be %u201cYes%u201d, %u201cNo%u201d or %u201cNot Yet%u201d. I would add to that %u2018Not exactly as you might want or expect.%u201c, but the thing is not to give up on telling God how you feel, what is troubling or hurting you, just as you might talk to a friend or relation. We need to be honest, patient and persistent. Prayer is much bigger than just asking for things. It is about building a relationship with God, not just talking to Him but listening to Him too, learning to recognise His voice. How do you do that? Through the centuries many ways have been tried and tested. We are all different and we all build relationships differently. One suggestion would be to go outside for a bit of a walk %u2013 round the garden or park would do. Breathe in the fresh air and thank God for whatever you see or hear which lifts your spirits.