Lent Talks

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BBC Radio 4 LW

Religion & Ethics

Six people reflect on the story of Jesus' ministry and Passion from their own perspectives

Six people well known in their fields reflect on the story of Jesus' ministry and Passion from the perspective of their own personal and professional experience

BBC Radio 4 FM

Lent Talks: The People's Prayer - Thy Will Be Done

The People's Prayer - Thy Will Be Done

BBC Radio 4 - Lent Talks, The People's Prayer - Thy Will Be Done

Six people well-known in their fields reflect on the story of Jesus' ministry and Passion.

In the face of loss, how does that impact belief in God? This personal story reflects on Jesus' ministry and Passion and asks what the words 'Thy will be done' mean today.

Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates experienced the heartache of baby loss five times between 2007 and 2011. 

Zoe speaks about their grief, the impact it had on their lives and their faith, and how they turned to God in prayer in their darkest moments. In mourning for their children, they decided that they needed to bring something positive out of the pain and have since worked to shed a light on this issue, to break the taboos that surround it, and to support all those who has suffered baby loss.    

Jesus' words in the Garden of Gethsemane, 'Not my will, but yours' have been spoken to people down the ages. He prayed for the suffering to be taken away from him. But then submitted to God's will.  

But in the face of such tragedy, how can that be accepted as God's will? When the hand that life has dealt is not as you hoped, can we still pray 'Thy will be done'? Is it the will of God that they should feel such pain and suffering? Is this really all God's plan?

In this series six people reflect on Jesus' ministry, teaching and Passion from a deeply personal perspective focussing on words from The Lord's Prayer. Their life experience is echoed by the words of The Lord's Prayer. These are words shared across Christian denominations but they go further; they are part of our culture and tradition. They express universal themes that speak to the hopes and dreams of humanity, bringing together both spiritual and physical needs. 

It could really be thought of as The People’s Prayer. 

Producer: Katharine Longworth

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