Spreading passion for prayer in ScotlandDebbie Meehan - 15 Jul 2011
The challenge God set for us at the end of 2009 when Pete Greig came up to Scotland to meet with a bunch of church and business leaders was from 2 Chronicles 7:14:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Last year, this verse became a ‘life verse’ for many Scots who were involved with ‘The Big If;’ the coming together of many churches, groups, individuals and movements who prayed 24-7 or who prayed the Lord’s Prayer at 12 noon each day for a year.
There was an explosion of prayer and prayer rooms of all kinds, 24-1, 24-2, 24-7, even a 24-60!
We planned out a year of prayer, but God clearly and thankfully had other ideas!
24-7 Prayer has grown here to such an extent that we are now 24-7 Prayer Scotland. We are a small, enthusiastic team of people excited to be part of the wider 24-7 Prayer family and hugely excited to be a part of what God is doing in our nation, in our generation.
Prayer rooms have sprung up all over Scotland again this year, often two, three or four at the same time!
Even over the summer (what summer? It’s pouring with rain as I write this!) we have 24-7 Prayer tents at the ‘CLAN Gathering’ in St Andrews, where over 3000 Christians from all denominations come together for a week of teaching, prayer and worship and at the ‘Imagine’ youth festival in Aberdeen, where over 800 young people are expected.
From north to south, east to west, from the youngest to the oldest, all over this beautiful country God’s people are being stirred to pray.
We’ve heard fabulous stories of God speaking to children:
- A six year old boy awoke one morning to tell his mum they needed to pray for a lady who was sick, specifically naming where in her body the illness was and then recognising her story on an anonymous card in a prayer room. Wow!
- Children being so excited to see the Chilean miners rescued, because they had prayed for them in a 24-7 Prayer Room.
Then there is the prayer in schools!
As the economic climate worsens, life gets tougher for so many of our young people, optimism for their future dwindles. Many of them are without hope, lack direction, identity and self-esteem. We know the one who gives hope, direction and worth to our lives, but with less than 5% of the population of Scotland regularly attending church, how are our young people to hear? How do we introduce them to the God who loves them.
Prayer Spaces in Schools..
Schools prayer spaces were launched in Scotland in February this year and by the end of term, eight Prayer Spaces have been hosted in High Schools (12 to18 years old) and two in Primary schools (5 to12 years old.)
There’s a real hunger to give young people an opportunity to experience God and it appears that there is a real hunger among young people to explore the spiritual dimension of their lives. It’s been incredible to peel away the surface level confidence that they display and a privilege to share their cares, burdens and concerns, their compassion for family and friends and for the world around them.
More training events are planned later this year in Aberdeen and Dumfries. We’re also being given opportunities to talk with educators at the highest of levels.
Please pray for this amazing move of God among our children. There have been many prophetic words about revival for Scotland and a number of them are concerning young people and children.
Pray for us as we listen out and watch for His leading and move in that direction!
If you would like to find out more ways you can support the spread of 24-7 Prayer in Scotland contact: [email protected]