24-7 Prayer Room
Praying for the community
Last weekend was ‘National Prayer Weekend’, an initiative to
encourage local churches across the UK to pray for the communities around
them. The churches in the area where I
live co-operated in a variety of ways.
Firstly, flyers were delivered to the houses in the area
which simply asked if there was anything they would like prayer for. Any requests sent in are now being prayed over.
24-7 prayer room
Secondly, a special prayer room has been set up for two
weeks of 24-7 prayer focussed on the local community. Folk from across the local churches have
signed up for hour long slots in the prayer room. Most of the slots have been filled (the 1:00
am – 5:00 am slots are usually the last to be filled!!) This largely uninterrupted flow of prayer for
the community will continue until Sunday 11 October.
On the streets
Thirdly, a small group were on the High Street on Saturday,
asking those passing if there was anything they would like prayer for and,
where appropriate, praying with them there and then on the street.
I was interested by how people responded to the question,
“Is there anything you would like prayer for?”
Some people carried on walking with a simple, “I’m alright,
thanks.” Others commented, “I’m not
religious.” One person walked past
briskly saying, “You don’t like our lot!” but was gone before anything further
could be said, and left me wondering what was behind the remark. Other people paused and then said, “Well
actually, yes, there’s . . .” and then shared an obviously painful situation
for which they were grateful to have someone pray.
It’s great to have had the National Prayer Weekend to
encourage prayer. Were you involved at
all?
