UK: 24-7 Takes to the Skies Above London - 25 Nov 2005
A Big Wave:'The Turn of the Tide'
goes airborne!
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A month-long prayer effort called The Turn of the Tide (more on that to come!) rocked London this October. The focus of the month was asking God to turn the spiritual tide of this generation back to Jesus in communities all around the easten parameters of the British Capital City. As part of the effort, a handful of indomitable 24-7’ers jumped in a plane together and followed the course of the River Thames, praying for universities, villages, and even the 2012 Olympics!
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Of course, some people ask 'why fly?' But Tim Harrold just laughs 'why not?', pops on a pair of shades and heads for the nearest airstrip.
Here Tim, leader of the 24-7 community emerging in East London, tells the unusual story as 24-7 prayer takes to the skies over London:
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 24-7's Tim Harrold - a 'Shady-looking' character... | |
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"Thursday, October 27 was an unseasonably clear day. Pilot Phil ‘Tin Tin’ Anderson described the day as having near-perfect flying conditions, except for some wind. Myself and the extremely excitable Ruth Verrinder of the Southend Prayer Wall climbed inside the Piper light aircraft and at just after 11.10am we took off from Southend Airport. |
.JPG) Ruth Verrinder and Phil Anderson | |
Our objective was to follow the course of the River Thames as much as possible and pray for the turn of the tide back to Jesus in this generation over the many villages, towns and cities along its course.
.JPG) Ruth Verrinder |
Immediately we prayed over Southend (that the Kursaal – the legendary leisure centre which means ‘Healing Room’ – would be a sign to that seaside city), and flew over the now burnt-out shell of the world’s longest pier, where we prayer walked only two weeks earlier. Soon we were above Canvey Island and the location of the proposed new container port at Coryton, symbol of the coming Thames Gateway development.
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Then over Tilbury Docks (‘Secundum Tamesim Quovis Gentium’) before crossing the river into southeast London just after the QE2 Bridge, the great silvery serpentine river snaking its way into the capital below us. We had to skirt London owing to the air-traffic restrictions over the city. But we prayed for the fresh water of God’s life-giving Spirit to be poured out over Thurrock and Erith – whose names both have to do with mud – and the Square Mile, financial hub of the UK. |
.JPG) View from 2,500: the River Thames | |
Phil guided us round the vast Nineveh-like sprawl of south London, where we prayed that grace-full Jonahs to come and preach human repentance in exchange for divine forgiveness. We rejoined the now diminutive river near Marlow and Henley, and were soon circling over the Reading and the Boiler Room, whose new premises is just up the road from the Thames.
We prayed blessings over Oxford and for all those studying at its ancient university, the famous ivory towers clustered below us. .JPG)
Thereafter, the Thames becomes even harder to pick out, and the towns along it less significant. We passed the quiet country typically English town of Lechlade-on-Thames, praying for the churches and for unity there.
Thereafter, the Thames becomes even harder to pick out, and the towns along it less significant. We passed the quiet country typically English town of Lechlade-on-Thames, praying for the churches and for unity there. We eventually reached Kemble, which is just a couple of miles from the meadow where the Source of the Thames is said to be. Phil had to fly around a few times to find the airfield – he lost it! The outward journey had taken about two hours, with superb weather all the way but for some cloud towards the end and some turbulence.
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After some fine victuals and fresh coffee at the airfield restaurant, the cool, calm and collected Phil, the very excited Ruth and I once more took to the air at about 3.20pm. This time we went round the north of London, across the Lea Valley where we prayed for the 2012 Olympics which will be held there.
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To the northeast we could make out the monolithic Bradwell Power Station on the Dengy peninsula near to where The Turn of the Tide had begun at the 1351-year-old St Peter’s Chapel 26 days earlier. We’d literally gone full-circle!
Afterwards, Ruth said, “It was truly a marvellous experience and one I'll never forget." |
.JPG) Phil and Ruth after a long | |
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A verse that was on Ruth's heart during the flight was Psalm 90:16-17:
"May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children.
May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." | ||
I’d just like to thank Phil for providing the opportunity to go on this kingshot venture, Ruth for her enthusiasm and encouragement, and Jesus the Great Tide-Turner for looking after us.
Tim Harrold (left) leads the emerging East London Boiler Room
To contact Tim, email him here.