Please excuse the blogging flurry… the last few days have zipped past faster than I could comprehend. It’s so strange that another week is almost past, another year is waning, another Christmas beckons.
Anyway, as I said in my last post, last Saturday involved a fair bit of trekking round the nation. I wanted to blog about it, because it was another of those important times of connection, of inspiration, of realising that we are not on our own with the passions God has given us.
After an (unhelpfully) early morning, we arrived at the World Prayer Centre in Birmingham. About ten of us had gathered, from far-flung climes such as Halifax, Harrow and Banbury and…Birmingham among others.
The group was made up of some of the original group that gathered for ‘prayer school’ back in 2004, (with some lovely additions that have joined in along the way). Back then, we met in Birmingham, in that same room, one Saturday a month for nearly a year. I still remember the first day, everybody sat wondering why they had been summoned to such an event, everyone nervous that everyone else was much better/much more worthy of being there etc. I remember how our relationships deepened over the months, how we were still all unsure, but how we became increasingly aware that we were part of something bigger than ourselves.
It’s amazing to see what God has done with that original group of people. Some have moved location, some are serving God abroad at the moment, some are working or filling roles they could never have imagined back then. Every time we gather now, there is a sense of awe, a sense of thankfulness, and a sense of anticipation for the future.
We started the day with some creative prayer – praying scriptures, laying down our worries, praying in pairs etc. Then we went round the room telling stories about what God’s been up to in each of our settings. We heard some amazing stories – churches slowly being changed by prayer, young people catching the vision, campuses and colleges opening up to 24-7 and prayer in general.
We also prayed for each other. Some of the group are on their own in really tough places, it was great to hear God for each other and be encouraged by the prayers of the group.
In the afternoon we chatted and prayed about ‘The Gathering’, which is a big prayer conference/event we are holding in January. There was a tangible sense of excitement as we planned together. We also talked around some other prayer requests and other exciting things that are happening next year.
I am always so encouraged by the lives and testimonies of the ‘prayer-schoolers & extras’, I love spending time with them and hearing stories. I am excited about where this journey of prayer in the Salvation Army is going, and how our motley crew is going to be part of that. Thrilling stuff!
One amusing feature of the day was the musical accompaniment. Due to the close proximity of Christmas, a German market had set up outside the prayer centre, and was merrily pumping loud Christmas music into the atmosphere. Praying to the sound of Slade and The Pogues was definitely an interesting first!
After a dash to the station (which was thoroughly too last-minute for my liking!) we headed back Londonwards. The temperature was dropping and everyone looked pinched and hurried (it later snowed there). We boiled on a stuffy train, but thankfully there were no delays, and we actually arrived a few minutes early!
I headed straight to Bromley, and found the corps, where I attended ‘Encounter’, which was like an interactive bible/worship/discussion experience, in their newly refurbished coffee shop. It was a great atmosphere and was lovely to spend time at the end of the day focussing on the Fatherhood of God, what this means and our response to that. I really enjoyed the chance to be somewhere pretty anonymous, and to be able to simply relax in and connect with God.
Next month is Christmas focussed, and will be on Sat December 15th, if you’re in the vicinity and aged 20-40, I’d definitely recommend it!
