Praying for the Healing of the NationsPhilip Evans - 26 Feb 2010

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessaloniki urging them to ‘pray continuously’  (1Thes 5:16-18). Last month a representation of the church from modern day Macedonia travelled 200 km south from Skopje, joined the saints in Thessaloniki, and did just that. 

Thessaloniki was once an important Roman port  and capital of ancient Macedonia and it was to the church here that Paul directed several of his epistles. Modern day Thessaloniki is a chaotic city heaving with people and thick traffic jostling for space. For a weekend we added to it's noise and chaos with our travelling band a representation of the nations as Americans, Albanians, Macedonians, Greeks, Latvians, Brazilians, Swedes and English responded to Paul’s ancient call.

The political backdrop to our gathering is an ongoing dispute between Greece and Macedonia over land and heritage (way to complex to even begin to tackle here). We know though that Jesus cuts through all our differences and binds us together as one body: ‘We are citizens of heaven’ Tommie Naumman, the pastor of the church in Thessaloniki reminded us.

We kicked off with 9 hours of prayer and worship from Saturday evening through to Sunday morning led by a local Bouzouki player (traditional Greek stringed instrument). Later Alek from Skopje led some creative liturgy to the sound of Sigur Ros, and we danced to African music as we interceded for the many African immigrants in the city.  

A week of prayer shared between 3 communities from 2 bitterly divided nations followed with the baton changing hands between communities in Thessaloniki (Greece), Veles and Skopje (Macedonia).  This was a significant spiritual statement made to those who seek the advancement of physical kingdoms, rather than the rule and reign of God in the hearts of people. Let prayer be for the healing for the nations!