24/7 prayer vision for Norfolk launched
 Around 70 Christians from across Norwich and Norfolk gathered at St Luke’s in Norwich on November 12 for the launch of a proposed 24/7 prayer and worship centre for Norfolk. Report by Gail Halley.
The event was hosted by Call to Prayer and the guest speaker was Jonathan Oloyede, who leads the Global Day of Prayer in the UK and has initiated 24/7 prayer for London.
Jonathan spoke of a vision he had of the British Isles: he saw people meeting in groups of five, 50, 500 and 5,000 praying on the streets, in factories, offices, churches and homes. Over each group was a light bulb and each bulb was connected to the next so the whole nation was lit up like a Christmas tree. Jonathan said, “Don’t start anything new – join the dots.”
Jonathan stressed that this initiative is for all Christians. He said, “Come with your style of prayer and don’t let anyone talk down your style. It is the wise traveller who drinks from each of the wells which are available. If you pitch your tent at one well, it could run dry in certain seasons.”
Jill Gower, Director of Call to Prayer believes this is a very significant time and the start of something powerful in the region. “The dream of having 24/7 prayer always seemed something way out there, and unattainable” she said, “But now it seems possible.”
Jonathan left the meeting with a great deal to think about:
- Start a prayer chain.
- Prayer is a lifestyle not an event.
- Take a chance – church can make us very unadventurous!
- What is the plan? Jesus is the plan!
- Be Marys first and then Marthas. We have to be before we can do.
- Recover the weapon of fasting – not legalistically but under grace and anointing
John Betts of Transforming Norwich encouraged those present with the belief that “spring is coming … and God is going to bless His body across the city and the county. These are momentous days and the call to prayer has never been stronger than it is now.” He added, “I am confident that the Lord has many praying people who will gladly respond to the opportunity to join with Him in this way.”
Weekly prayer meetings
Prayer for revival has already started with a prayer meeting every Friday at St Edmund’s Fishergate 7.30 – 9 30pm (on 5 December it will be held at New Hope Christian Centre). This is open to all from every church background.
Pictured above is Jonathan Oloyede, Jill Gower and John Betts |