24-7 Prayer week for Justice and Peace in Leeds - 8 Mar 2005
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Churches and groups of Christians from all over the city of Leeds, northern England, are participating in an unprecedented week of 24-7prayer for Justice and Peace. Right now!
Katie Spicer was in the city-centre prayer room over the weekend and writes: |
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"I've been really encouraged through spending some time in the Prayer Room in the last couple of days, it's awesome to pray with others actually in the city centre! The installations in the main church are also a really helpful way to meditate on the beatitudes... so pop in if you are nearby!"
Gemma Bonham, who's been organising the week says;
"24-7 Prayer is an initiative for Christians in Leeds to cover the city in prayer 24 hours-a-day, and on this occasion for 8 days. The project is supported by members of all the major denominations including the Chair of the Methodist District and the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds. It is also endorsed by Leeds Churches Together in Mission, Leeds Speak Network, Spirit in the City, Leeds Faith in Schools, TIDAL, West Yorkshire Ecumenical Council, 24-7 Prayer and NETWORK:LEEDS."
Throughout the week there are a variety of prayer events and activities that people can get involved in, including a vigil on Wednesday night and plans for 'something special' on Red Nose Day! The week ends with a 'Feast of Nations' on Sunday night. For more details, do check out the website -
- and if you're in Leeds somewhere, it's not too late to get involved!
24-7 Prayer has always been a bit of an uncomfortable 'prayer movement', not quite fitting the usual stereotype. And perhaps that's ok. More recently, we've felt that God has been calling us to become an answer to our own prayers, to become *more* responsive to the mission of Jesus, and the justice of his Kingdom. As we respond to Jesus' command to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers" we find, to our surprise, and to our occasional discomfort, that the 'Lord of the harvest' is sending us.
There will be many more weeks like this one in Leeds!
24-7 Prayer has always been a bit of an uncomfortable 'prayer movement', not quite fitting the usual stereotype. And perhaps that's ok. More recently, we've felt that God has been calling us to become an answer to our own prayers, to become *more* responsive to the mission of Jesus, and the justice of his Kingdom. As we respond to Jesus' command to "pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers" we find, to our surprise, and to our occasional discomfort, that the 'Lord of the harvest' is sending us.
There will be many more weeks like this one in Leeds!