2024
ANGEL: The angel reminds us that “there are angels hovering around” as God’s agents. A reminder that God has sent angels to watch over us, all night and all day! The Bible says to treat strangers well because they may be angels!
BIBLICAL GARDEN: There are 195 plants named in the Bible. Not all grow in this area. Each plant here has a story. Go to the mailbox for the list of plants in this Biblical Garden. For the complete list, go to the Prayer Library.
BUTTERFLY GARDENS: These are re-seeded annuals that take care of themselves and attract both bees and butterflies. One of the gardens was seeded with milkweed to attract Monarch Butterflies.
CHILDREN’S PRAYER PATH begins at the Magic Miracle Garden, crosses the Japanese Bridge, goes through the Secret Garden to follow the path all the way to the woods. Notice the places to jump and climb as you follow the trail.
CIRCLE OF PRAYER: A circle has no beginning or ending, and we can circle our visions or problems in prayer. Never give up. Walk around the circle until you are satisfied that God has heard your prayer.
COMPOST: Used in the gardens. Re-use, Re-purpose, Recycle, Restore. Composition of vegetation (green), leaves (brown), and water. What should NOT go in compost?
HEALING HERB GARDEN: A healing ministry that combines prayer, anointing, and use of natural plants that have healing properties. Smell, taste, pick and harvest for your health.
HELEN KELLER SENSORY GARDEN was designed for those in wheelchairs or whose sight and mobility are limited. Each raised bed is used to explore at least one sense: sight, smell, taste, touch.
HILL OF CROSSES: The idea comes from Lithuania where there is a Hill of Crosses, set up as a form of civil disobedience to the atheistic Soviet/Communist invaders. You may wish to find some sticks and erect your own cross. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” What does that mean to us?
HOLY GROUND HEMLOCK GROVE: The soft ground under the hemlock trees is ideal for taking off your shoes and earthing. Connect with the earth, from which we came. Lie on the hammock and look up – you are in God’s cathedral! Cool off here in the summer.
JAPANESE BRIDGE was made by Samuel Reyes, Finn Sandford, and Tye Sandford. It marks the entrance to the Secret Garden and Children’s Prayer Path.
LABYRINTH: A circular Prayer Path designed in the Middle Ages for pilgrimages. Notice the beautiful bench in the middle, designated by Aaron Reyes.
LIBRARY: Located in the Sun Room, there are books about Prayer and books about Plants. Enjoy looking through the books. You may take some to keep, others sign out to return.
LIGHTHOUSES: Built by the three boys. “Brighten the Corner where you are. Someone far from harbor you may help across the bar.”
MAGIC MIRACLE GLADE is for celebrating God’s miracles. Surprises like Springtime, the first snow, clouds, flowers – this Glade is a place to laugh and enjoy God’s magic miracles. Treasures for children to find. A fairy garden, place for little people.
MAILBOXES have things you might need: a raincoat, umbrella, flashlight, and bug dope. There is a map of the area, Biblical plant lists, and various things to enhance your self-guided tour.
MEMORY GARDEN: This quiet place is for Reminiscence Therapy: remembering a loved one, an experience, or an event. You may light a candle or write about a memory for the Memory Jar. Jesus said, “Remember me.” Memories,, good and bad, happy and sad, bring them all to God in this safe place.
MUSEUM: Artifacts that have surfaced from the ground over the past forty years. What are they? How were they used? Why are they here?
PATIO: A place to sit, eat, write, use your tablet, visit, or rest.
PEACE PLANTS AND PRAYER PLANT: Pray for Peace within, with others, and World Peace. Shalom
PERENNIALS and NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIVES demonstrate God’s creative and sustaining plan for this earth. New Hampshire natives grow without human intervention. They revive themselves.
PET MEMORIAL GARDEN: God loves animals, and so do we. This is a place to commemorate and honor pets and all animals. You may bring an artifact to place there in memory or honor of your pet. We will celebrate a service for the Blessing of the Animals. Receive a blessing for your beloved animal.
PINE GROVE: Secluded from the rest of the Place of Prayer, it is a good place for reading, writing, making melody, or meditation.
POND: Frogs, fish, pond lilies, beaver, and other animals (dogs) attracted to water. Use the boats and pull up some lilies to take home. Even though beautiful, they are invasive. The Pond is used for skating and walking when frozen. Enjoy the water and water life.
PRAYER CHAIRS and HAMMOCK: Singing Prayer Chair. Sleep in prayer in the hammock!
PRAYER GARDEN: This was the second station set up, designed in 2003. A place for solitary prayer, to sit quietly and meditate. If you wait long enough, a bird may join you at the bird bath.
PRAYER LIBRARY in Sunroom: All books are available to you. You may take a book and find a quiet place to read. If you wish to borrow the book, please sign it out. There are also free books available for you to keep and give to friends.
PRAYER PATH: Fourteen stations to help you expand your prayer life. Each station is for a different type of Prayer. It has been here since 2002, and was the original Place of Prayer.
PRAYER WALL: Designed to be like the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, where written prayers are stuffed in the cracks. Slip a piece of paper with your prayer into one of the cracks.
ROCK GARDEN (rockery) is a challenge to the Alpines on the steep bank. Each rock is native to the area. (There are 43 named boulders on the property.)
SECRET GARDEN, based on the book by that title, The Secret Garden, written by Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1911, is a sanctuary for enjoying shade flowers and meeting Jesus “in the garden.” This garden was designed by a Bedford Girl Scout Troop in 2021.
SLOPE to the Pond is used for sliding in snow, and watching Pond life in summer.
STUMPERY: Stumps on the property are arranged for their artistic root design.
SUNROOM is seasonal, sometimes too hot or too cold. It is the fallback place during rain. The books are located there, as well as a collection of crosses.
TRAILS and DIRT ROADS go around the Pond, and to the North. They are protected conservation areas, and are open to the public for walking. Many wild flowers, wild fruit, and natural conservation area. Across the road is The Pulpit with trails maintained by the town of Bedford.
TRIANGLE GARDEN has many perennials enjoyed throughout the summer, planted years ago and still thriving.
VEGETABLE GARDEN inside fenced area, and FRUIT TREES (apple and pear), also RASPBERRY PATCH, Blueberries in Prayer Path area, and many wild strawberries scattered everywhere.
WATER GARDEN: Companion gardening of water and plants. The Pond is a natural water garden. There is a water garden created near the labyrinth, containing water plants that are either submerged, above the water, or partially above and below. Frogs and toads seem to find their way also.
WELCOME CART: Decorated seasonally. Sign donated by neighbor.