The prayer trees that are scattered around our country are visible signs of our common journey. Many times, sitting at the roots of one of these trees, I am reminded how we are all united in spirit: old and young, men and women, sick and able-bodied. The prayers that hang as rags on the branches are snapshots of people’s lives: their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their gratitude and pain. They speak of untold stories, deep secrets, joys and hopes, illness, grief and loss. In places like that, you get a sense of the prayers that are in all of our hearts.

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The photos in this post were taken at prayer trees beside the following Holy Wells:

St Brigid – Liscannor (Clare), St Gobnait – Ballyvourney (Cork), St Fachnan – Carron (Clare), Wether’s Well Ardfert (Kerry), St John – Minard (Kerry), St Patrick – Belcoo (Fermanagh), Tobernalt (Sligo)

“Then shall the trees of the wood sing with joy before the Lord” 1 Chronicles 16:33

“The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing is come” Song of Songs 2:12

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” Psalm 9 v10

We come to this place…. To sit, to pray, to remember….. The Lord has promised He will not forsake us.

The sureness of faith and the promise of our Heavenly Father leads many to the sure hope “heal me Lord and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise” Jeremiah 17:1

“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47 : 12

“For only in God does my soul wait in stillness. From him comes my salvation.” Psalm 62.2