Top 10 Magnify MomentsScot Bower - 27 Sep 2010

Last weekend over 400 people from 22 countries gathered in Scotland for 24-7 Prayer's international gathering Magnify. Edinburgh is an incredible city and served as an amazing backdrop to an inspiring weekend.

It would be impossible to draw out all the events of the weekend in less than 1000 words but hopefully highlighting just a few special moments will jog your memory if you were there, or give you a taster of what you missed if you weren't.

Moment 1: The legendary George Verwer (founder of Operation Mobilisation) hands Pete Greig his 'global jacket'.

George had finished speaking but returned a few minutes later asking to do something he 'very rarely does'. He then took off his trade mark world-map-jacket and gave it to Pete. This was more than the trading of a neat coat! It felt like George had passed a mandate to Pete to carry the gospel into all nations; that the world was on Pete's shoulders now (too). I should say as well that this was NOT the passing of a mantle. George is still George and OM are one of the most incredible world mission organisations around. But the moment did remind 24-7 Prayer of the need, and affirmed their call, to take the message of Jesus to all nations.

Moment 2: Kneeling on a makeshift world map and praying for the nations.

George Verwer led us in prayer as, together, we knelt on a huge world map and cried over and prayed for countries, nations and people groups.

Moment 3: James Thomas, the chairman of24-7 Prayer's board of directors, being crowd-surfed in the main venue. 

Commissioning through crowd-surfing has become something of a custom in 24-7 Prayer. The person being commissioned is passed over the heads of the crowd, who respond by praying for and 'laying hands on' the man or women who is passed above them, this results in the person being commissioned also feeling the tangible support (I don't think we've dropped anyone yet!) of the movement. James Thomas is such a key figure in the growth of 24-7 Prayer who works sacrificially behind the scenes much of the time and it was great to see him commissioned and recognised in front of the international community.

Moment 4:  Sean Feucht with his long blonde hair and equally free-flowing Burn24-7 style teaming up with Ben Cantelon and the band (Soul Survivor, Worship Together).

We had some fantastic times of pressing into God over the weekend. Ben and the band continually led with sensitivity to what the spirit was up to, and on Thursday night Sean Feucht led an after hours Burn24-7 worship session. But the highlight for many came on Friday evening when Sean and Ben joined forces and led worship together, they appeared to be having a lot of fun and the rest of us were certainly enjoying diving into the presence of God after them.

Moment 5: At the front of the hall stood a line of incredible men and women, in front of them an even longer line of folks waiting to be prayed for.

A few years ago 24-7 Prayer were asking God for mothers and fathers to help guide and parent the movement as it grew. This year it was great to see so many fantastic experienced couples stand and pray for the rest of us. Watching the likes of Joe and Angie Steinke from the States line up alongside Tom and Jo Gillum from the UK, as well as so many others, was one of those significant moments of realisation as you see the answer to your prayers paraded in front of your eyes.  

Moment 6: Sammy Greig bidding (with help from friends) a ridiculous amount of money for 'his and hers' matching bobble hats for her and Pete!

It must be said Pete looked slightly less enthusiastic about his new hat than Sammy!

If you haven't experienced a 24-7 auction then the idea will probably seem quite silly, even ridiculously frivolous. However once you’ve been part of the experience, seen the crazy acts of generosity and laughed at families bidding against each other only to give the thing away afterwards anyway, I'm sure you’ll be joining in!

The extraordinary amount of money raised at auction always goes to an individual or 2 within the movement who are in particular need. This year several thousands of pounds were raised for Susanna in Switzerland and Emmanuel in India.

The heroine of the auction for the last few years is also (probably) the eldest supporter of 24-7 in the UK; Peggy from Stanford Boiler Room knitted 8 hats for the auction this year including those worn by Pete and Sammy! Thanks Peggy.

Moment 7: A friend from Iran, watching the crazy whirl of a Scottish Ceilidh on Saturday night and timing his move impeccably to cut in and whisk a partner into the dance!

Evidently the Scottish jig is similar to traditional Persian dancing!

An important part of any 24-7 gathering is the evening celebration, this year being in Edinburgh it was all kilts and fiddles as traditional Scottish music filled the venue.

Moment 8: Walking back from dinner with friends and seeing one of our main session speakers sat in a doorway sharing fish and chips with a homeless man.

When 24-7 hits a city it’s always fun to walk along crowded streets and see tables of international friends in pubs and bars laughing and dreaming together. This time though there was a prophetic reminder in seeing one of the leaders of the movement sat on the floor sharing his dinner; we need to make sure we don’t become so enthralled in the lives of friends that we neglect the image of Jesus in the face of those we meet who are tired, hungry and hopeless. 

Moment 9: The first showing of Jon Bilbrough’s ‘Fairylights’ video.

Throughout the weekend we played video greetings from around the world, made to help celebrate our 10th birthday. There was an Irish one with St Patrick walking up to Pete Greig and asking ‘What’s the vision, what’ the big oi'dea?’ which was very funny, and it was nice to see faces of friends from around the world who hadn’t made it to Scotland. But it was Jon’s creative offering that wowed us all. Carla, who was hosting the session was visibly stunned! All prayer Rooms need Fairylights (and post-it notes, cargo netting and little candles!) and the mp3 track is available to download for just $1 (with all proceeds going to 24-7 Prayer). Thanks to Jon and of course everyone who took the time to record a video greeting.

You can check out more of Jon's work and download his latest EP at his website.

Moment 10: Standing together.

Sometimes all we need to know is that we're not alone. That God is with us is enough, but it also helps to know others are standing alongside us too.

As Pete Greig finished his talk 'Magnifying Christ in this Generation' he invited those who would commit themselves to 24-7 Prayer over the coming years to stand together. It was such a thrill to be able to look left and right and see such amazing people that God has somehow brought (and continues to bring) together to play a part in changing the world through this movement of Prayer, Mission and Justice. If you want to see where the movement is heading you might like to have a read of the 2020 Vision, Pete Greig's article from last week which introduces that vision or watch his Magnify talk 'Magnifying Prayer in This Generation' (which will be available soon.)

Well those were my top 10 moments of Magnify, but I'm sure there we're loads I missed (too much going on in one weekend) or have already forgotten. Please do leave a comment below or jump to our FaceBook page and let me know what your favourite moments from the weekend were. 

All the content from the weekend sessions will be posted on the website just as soon as it’s edited and uploaded, keep checking the blog to find out exactly when it goes live.