Snapshots from the Year of Prayer for IrelandTash Creaney - 8 Aug 2011
It was a Saturday afternoon when two motorbikes sped into an empty church car park in Antrim, The two riders, Steve and Mel, saw a sign for a ‘prayer room’ and entered. Kattie was there. She welcomed them and listened to their story; how they were over from England on holiday for a week, were going to bike around Northern Ireland and then return to Antrim to be married. The thing was they needed two witnesses to be present at their ceremony in Antrim Civic Centre… While Steve and Mel set off to tour ‘our wee country’, we got busy with plans! Shirley and Leslie were going to be the official witnesses, aka ‘the bridesmaids’! So Shirley set about cleaning her silver mini and putting ribbons on it, while Leslie sorted the flowers. Shirley’s daughter Katie was tasked with getting confetti and Ben had the role of photographer. The five of us were so excited to be a part of a wedding for two strangers, who suddenly felt like friends…Then came the highlight of the story – the Wedding Day!! The bride and groom arrived in the mini and Ben snapped away with his camera. They looked lovely and the ceremony was beautiful. Steve’s poem brought a tear to the eye of all the girls who were there and we celebrated together as the Registrar announced them as man and wife. Then outside for more photos and confetti. Everyone was filled with joy; such a sunny day and such a joyful occasion.” (Ben Connolly, Antrim)
The first half of July saw a rare, if not unique, event in recent years in Ballymena: 15 local churches and pupils from three of the town’s secondary schools taking part in a joint prayer marathon/relay, praying for the local community, the church, and the whole island of Ireland.” (Jonathan leakey, Ballymena)
4 diverse people decided to join the 24-7 prayer revolution for Holy Week in Killarney to glorify God, using the local Methodist Church, one man had the vision, three women collaborated on the preparation so that on Sunday April 17th after the morning service the entire church building was given over to prayer.
We launched on Monday evening with a beautiful worship session and we remained available for prayer until Easter Sunday. At one point we had 17 people representing 6 churches praying, another time we had the all local pastors praying. For lots of people there was the quiet of the Cross and peace. The room was peace-full.” (Suzie Gallagher, Killarney)
We had a great week at New Horizon and were so excited to have the Prayer Room! The icing on the cake was the testimony of someone who left their cigarettes and lighter at the foot of the cross because God broke their addiction.” (Pauline Wilson, Coleraine)
Post-it prayers are a simple creative photography project thought up by some students in Wicklow. Ireland. It was an idea that brought together prayer and photography!
Opening of the peace bridge in Derry this evening followed by vigil of light & prayer tent. Historic day followed by an historic night #bring the light (Brian Somerville, Derry)
If you'd like to find out more about the What If year of Prayer for Ireland visit the 24-7 Ireland website.