UK ablaze with prayer as Olympic Torch ignites the 2012 gamesCarla Harding - 26 Jul 2012

As the Olympic Torch ends it’s 70 day journey through the hands of 8000 people, covering 8000 miles of the United Kingdom, a wave of prayer has followed in it’s wake.  One special runner carried the fire of the Spirit with the Olympic flame as he ran through the city where the 24-7 Prayer movement began…



Anthony Stewart (pictured above with his wife Ruth and their two sons Ben and Joe) is a living legend. One of the best known men in his city, he was nominated to run with the torch for his many years of youth and children’s work, impacting hundreds (possibly thousands) of lives in Chichester, England.  A passionate follower of Jesus, Anthony is part of Revelation Church, the community that first prayed 24-7 in 1999 (read their story in Red Moon Rising).  For him, carrying the torch was more than just an honour; it was an opportunity to pray for the fire of God’s Spirit to be poured out afresh on his city and nation.

“I wanted to prepare a prayer to carry in my heart as I ran,” says Ant. “The words of Matthew 5 inspired me…

“You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!”  Matthew 5:14-15 MSG

As I ran with the torch I tipped it toward Chichester Cathedral that stands in the centre of our city.  As the flames of the Olympic Torch merged with the Cathedral in my mind’s eye, I prayed for an outpouring of the fire of God’s Spirit over Chichester and the UK.  It was a profound moment.”

Anthony is one of thousands of Christians who have prayed in different ways in the run up to the 2012 Games in London.  As the Olympic Flame has passed through the towns and cities of the UK, a wave of prayer has united the Church.

Flashmobs of Christians have gathered in the streets to take hold of God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and pray for the United Kingdom.   A praise bus has gone ahead of the Olympic Torch declaring God’s glory in a 70-Day Cascade of Praise and Prayer.  Many other Churches and initiatives have gathered as well and through it all, across the UK and Ireland, there has been an unbroken year of 24-7 Prayer passed from place to place throughout 2012.  Churches have prayed 24-7 for a week or more as part of the Kingdom Come call of 24-7 Prayer and Alpha.  It’s been a year of incredible growth in prayer rooms, prayer spaces in schools and more. 

Jesus is using the Olympic Games to galvanise his Church to prayer and mission as millions visit the host nation.  What will God do with so much prayer?
 

As the games get underway the prayer continues.  Add your amen with prayer resources like these from More than Gold, or join the cascade of 24-7 Prayer through 2012 by hosting a 24-7 Prayer Room in your community between now and December.