‘Running is time to pray and reflect on the challenges we face’

Lacing up his trainers and heading out for a run isn’t a chore for the Revd James Dwyer, it’s one way he intentionally spends time with God.

Having been a runner in his spare time for more than ten years, James admits he’s a better version of himself when he makes the time to get out and exercise. He can often be seen pounding the pavements round the village of Flackwell Heath, the parish he serves as vicar.

James explained: “Like a lot of people, I’ve certainly gone through seasons where I’d be better at running regularly than others. But over the last 18 months, I’ve been really consistent. The benefit to my physical health, mental health, and prayer life has been massive. One of the reasons it’s become so consistent is because of the benefits that I’ve reaped through being able to do it.”

James runs three or four times a week and uses the time to pray, reflect on his ministry and the challenges he and his congregation are facing. It’s one way he is visible in his parish with locals waving him on as he runs past.

He added: “I have found that bringing running in as a regular pattern and using it as a prayerful space has allowed me to work through hard things in a way that I’ve not been able to do previously.

“I pray an awful lot when I’m running and I find, because there’s nothing else to distract me particularly, it creates space for me to be able to just pray and chew through situations prayerfully and reflect on what God has been doing in my life.

“There have been some really, really powerful outcomes of doing what in many ways is a really basic, simple thing of just going for a run a few times a week.”

James has recently completed the Oxford Half Marathon, something he describes as a ‘bucket list moment’, and has now set his sights on doubling that distance for the first time taking on the Manchester Marathon next year.

The challenge will be a 40th birthday challenge completed, as he reached the milestone last May and pledged to run the distance in his 40th year.

Training starts on Boxing Day!