24/7 Prayer Week: 24th – 31st May 2020
It seems that Christ Church’s teaching series based on Pete Greig’s book ‘How to Pray’ came at just the right time. The series had barely finished before we were driven to our knees as the coronavirus took hold across the world and many of our earthly securities were snatched away or changed beyond recognition. Whilst we may struggle to understand God’s plans and purposes in this somewhat overwhelming period in our history, we’re called to trust in the one who created us and assures us of his presence and love.
During the period between Ascension Day and Pentecost we’ll cry out to him afresh and seek to hear what he might have to say to us as individuals, as a church and as a society.
This year’s Thy Kingdom Come prayer week will have a twin focus
- A united worldwide commitment to praying for our world in these challenging times, partly through sharing in prayer with and for our mission partners. Several of our prayer partners have committed to pray for us at specific times during the week. Others have provided some pointers for our prayers.
- Prayer and Care – Praying for those we care for and caring for those we pray for. (praying for those we’re looking out for in our homes, communities or workplaces; and showing care to those who we are praying will find new life in Christ)
Members of the Christ Church family are encouraged to sign up for specific prayer slots between 10am on Sunday 24th May and 10am on Sunday 31st May. Please sign up here.
You can sign up as individuals, life groups or prayer triplets – let’s try to ensure that every hour is covered in prayer.
Everyone will use their time of prayer in different ways, but for those setting out, a possible approach might be to break the hour down into four 15 minute segments.
- Praise and Thanksgiving – recognising who God is and meditating on his nature and character, expressing our gratitude
- World prayer – Mission Partners (see the Mission Prayer leaflet)
- Prayer for our nation – the BBC for the latest news and Care’s 10 ways to pray about coronavirus.
- Prayer and Care – Praying for the people we are caring for and for those who we long to come to know Jesus. Reflecting on how God might be calling you to show practical care for those you pray for.
Bread for Today
Our daily YouTube reflections during our 24/7 prayer week will focus on different ways of praying from the ‘How to Pray toolshed’.
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The Lectio 365 app is also using the Toolshed resource for its devotionals.
Virtual Prayer Room
Iona Clark and Susie Dobson have created a fantastic Virtual Prayer Room which offers lots of creative approaches to prayer and includes space to share scriptures, words and pictures during the week, as well as links to worship songs, and prayer themes.
Here is the link to the Virtual Prayer Room.
When you follow the link you will be asked to create a free ‘Trello’ account with your email address and a password.
Click on the various cards to access each prayer station, you can also create new cards and add your own insights, words and pictures in the response column – it might take a few minutes to get used to, but it’s a very intuitive site and a great aid to prayer. Ideally include your name or initials in any post, but don’t include anything you wouldn’t want others to see.
However you pray, do share your experience with others – we’d love to hear how God has prompted you, and any specific insights relevant to the wider Christ Church family.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)