24-7prayer for Parliament and Whitehall - 29 Apr 2005
Election Fever
The cover of today's Metro newspaper is dominated with three very familiar faces - Tony Blair, Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy. It's almost impossible (here in the UK at least) to avoid the election-campaign-antics of the main Parties right now... and it's very tempting, even for Christians, to slide into cynicism and dis-engagement. But here's a novel idea... how about we resist that temptation and 'get stuck in' instead? Obviously, vote of you can. Get in touch with your Parliamentary candidates (there are a whole heap of questions worth asking right now!). And best of all, let's PRAY!Soul in (the centre of) the City
Tomorrow (7pm, Saturday 30th April), Soul in the City are hoping to gather up to 2000 young people in Westminster Chapel, to pray towards the coming elections. The web-article says, "Concerned about our nation? Let Heaven hear your heart!" Get along there if you can!**24-7prayer in Parliament and Whitehall**
We're *really* excited about this! From Sunday 19th June until Sunday 26th, a 24-7prayer week will take place right across the Parliament and Whitehall area - prayer groups will gather in offices and conference rooms, up in Big Ben and along the line-of-route, in the MOD and the DTI, the Foreign Office and the Cabinet Office... throughout the whole week, focusing once again on 2 Chronicles 7v14, "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray..." These groups will be praying for the light and life of the gospel to spread throughout these extraordinary places, and amongst the people who work there. And us? Well, we can join them... here's how...
1. you can encourage your church or group to cover a night-shift during the week. For security reasons, rooms cannot be booked in Parliament/Whitehall during the 19th-26th week, so we can fill that gap. The just-opened City of London Boiler Room will be taking on at least one of the night-shifts. If you're interested, get in touch (email below)!
2. you can come into London and join in prayer-walking around these amazing streets and buildings. Join us in Queen Victoria Park Gardens, at the Southern end of the Houses of Parliament, from Mon 20th - Fri 24th, 10.30am onwards. (Some prayer-walkers may be able to join in with prayer groups in the afternoons as well.)3. you can come into London in the evenings that week too. We're hoping to host a variety of prayer events in churches across central London where people can gather and pray for Parliament and Whitehall and for the nation. (Details to follow.)
4. or you can just pray where you are. You can email anything you feel God speaking to you about at this time. The more the better!
contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
pray4parliament (We love this crazy bunch!)
Not long ago, a group of students in Norwich felt that God wanted them to pray for people who work in Parliament, specifically for those in Government and for MPs. So they started... they wrote cards to Cabinet members (and got some fascinating letters back)... they talked with churches, and students, and then bumped into some MPs, and Cabinet members... and it's gradually become very exciting! Do check out their website, here. They're hoping and working towards mobilising students and churches to pray for their local candidates - for God to bless them and keep them and give them wisdom. Do get involved.