Charitable launch for Norfolk Call to Prayer

2008: Some 160 people witnessed the commissioning of Call to Prayer and its launch as a charity at Norwich Central Baptist Church on April 2. Gail Halley reports

 

The initiative for this came from John Betts, Chairman of Transforming Norwich who, in introducing the evening, said: “Tonight we are taking a very important step together. For the first time for a long time, perhaps ever, in Norwich we’re giving open public recognition to prayer ministry. We are releasing you to pursue your calling, function in your gifting, serve the church with your spiritual insight and understanding, obey God and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, as you minister before the throne of God on our behalf.”

 

Jill Gower, Director of C2P, gave a brief outline of its history and expressed her gratitude to those who had been instrumental in C2P’s inception. The Revd Madeline Light, who had approached Jill back in 2000 regarding stronger prayer support for Living Water, and who is now a trustee, said: “It is exciting to see a new strand of unity in prayer. In the past Christians have worked together in social action and there has also been institutional unity.

 

“Now a charity has been launched that draws Christians from any church into exploring, learning and gathering together more to pray. I am delighted to have been a very small part of this and look forward to seeing how God uses people to ‘seek his face’ in the future and how that makes a difference to our city and county.”

 

Recognition was also given to REAP – represented by Brenda Huddleston – Lydia, Aglow and Kingdom Faith at Holme-next-the-Sea, who have all been at the heart of the prayer movement and who, as Jill put it: “have for many years sown faithfully in what was a very dry place – and now we are beginning to reap the harvest.” 

 

Jill added: "For so long the prayer ministry has been very much behind closed doors, so to have such public recognition was a real honour. We are looking forward to what God will do through C2P now as we believe many more doors will open to us.” 

 

The main speaker, Jane Holloway – prayer co-ordinator for the World Prayer Centre – brought a wider focus to the gathering as she spoke about the remarkable and exciting increase in prayer around the nation.

 

“There are many causes for anxiety in our nation,” she said, “but there are also many great encouragements: schools signing up to Hope08, a great move amongst young people, a plethora of 24/7 prayer initiatives, being just a few of them.”

 

She challenged us not to speak negatively – or as those without hope – about all the things which appear to be going wrong, such as Terminal Five, or the Embryology Bill. God may have to humble us before He lifts us up, but He has not, she believes, finished with our nation yet.

 

Call to Prayer is now seeking charitable status and has recently appointed a Board of Trustees; chairman, Lorie Lain-Rogers, said, “This was a memorable and very moving occasion – seeing local churches coming together to support the ministry of Jill Gower and the Call to Prayer team, and celebrating the importance of prayer in the life and work of the church.”

 

Call to Prayer is working in five main areas and those who would like to know more about any of these are asked to contact the relevant person: