Reflecting God's Spirit in the CityTheresa Stone - 8 Jan 2013

There is now a 24-7 prayer room in the heart of one of the world's most influential cities. London has impacted the world and has shaped nations for centuries through economy, art and culture, and now, the city is seeing a new heartbeat of prayer and worship.

Fresh fires of intimacy with God are being stoked by the official commissioning of a permanent prayer room, following the culmination of a whole year of prayer in the United Kingdom and Ireland.  

The Bishop of London declared the prayer room outside Holy Trinity Brompton Church, open on the 8th January, joining 24-7 Prayer’s Pete Grieg, 24-7 GB's Brian Heasley and HTB Vicar, Nicky Gumbel and a few hundred others.

Right Rev Richard Chartres reminding those gathered of St Augustine's words:

"God has a beauty that is ancient, but always fresh." 

He encouraged; "We should be spiritually credible, rooted in God, and able to reflect the divine spirit in this great city." In order for the Church to have "confidence in proclaiming the Gospel," it has to be "rooted in God by prayer," leading to an outworking of compassion and creativity. 

"Being church doesn't mean being a spiritual tescos that caters for people's spiritual needs. God desires a church that is fully serviceable and full of his spirit."  

Nicky Gumbel, HTB Vicar said: "For many years I have gone from time to time to pray in a convent in Ham. I never really found anything quite like it until I visited the htb:24-7PRAYER Room shortly after it opened this year. From the moment I walked in I felt an extraordinary sense of the presence of God there. It has already become one of the highlights of my week. I look forward to it enormously and enjoy every minute. The time always seems to go far too quickly."

Paul Cowley from the William Wilberforce Trust encouraged those present to pray for restored lives for ex-offenders, while Graham Tomlin spoke of the need for the church to "recapture the imagination of the culture," particularly through creativity. 

At the heart of the permanent htb:24-7PRAYER room is ‘The Furnace’ community led by HTB Curate, Bill Cahusac. The intercessors will host the room which will be continuous during term time. The spring term runs from 1st Jan until 22nd March.

If you are in London, you can sign up for a slot and reflect God's spirit in the city.

"it is in prayer, that we are open to the God of surprises."