Waiting Quietly Before The CrossScot Bower - 30 Mar 2010

Last Friday saw the launch of 24-7 Prayer’s season of non-stop prayer for Europe. On Monday I received an email from my good friend Dave Quintana (more commonly known simply as ‘Q’) which brings us a timely reminder as our Europe season continues during Holy Week.

On Friday, the 26th, I awoke early and wasn’t able to fall back to sleep.  It occurred to me that it was the beginning of the season of prayer for Europe and so I got up and went downstairs to our prayer room.  And so I found myself sitting in our prayer room in the wee hours of the morning, with a candle lit burning solemnly on a small table with an open Bible on it, a cross on the wall behind it.  I found myself quietly, patiently, attentively, obediently waiting before the Word and before the cross, alight from the light of the flickering candle.  Perhaps there is something of an image for these coming months of prayer—all called to take a season of prayer, a season to cry out to the Lord, and a season to, quietly, patiently, attentively, obediently wait before the Word and before the cross.

As you pray this week can I encourage you to follow Q’s advice (he’s a wise man!)? Why not start your prayer time sitting quietly before the Lord Jesus, meditating on the cross and what that ultimate demonstration of the love of God means for you, for those around you and for this prodigal continent of Europe?

Q  is part of an ecumenical monastic order known as Servants of The Word and a great friend of 24-7 Prayer. Those of you who were part of our Eurogathering in Amsterdam last year would recognize him as the smiling bearded fellow who led our morning prayer times. Q also writes some fantastic daily devotions which he sends out by email, if you’d like to receive these get in touch with us and we'll pass your details on.

To sign up for a prayer slot and take your place in our non-stop prayer for Europe season check out the 24-7 Prayer Europe website.