Revival and unity are Prayer in park themes

2006: Revival and church unity will be the key themes for the latest Prayer in the Park event in Norwich on Saturday September 23 at the OPEN venue. Rev Madeline Light looks back at the series of city prayer events.

 

In September 2004 1,200 Christians met one Saturday evening to pray together in a large hall at Norwich Aqua Park. We gathered at the invitation of a small group of ministers who wanted to give a unique opportunity for people to pray together for our city and county.  There was a trumpet call and the Bishop of Norwich greeted the people. We prayed for families young and old, for the various Christian organisations that work in our city and for Israel.   

In July 2005 in sweltering heat we gathered in Chapelfield Park. This time we prayed for all those that serve us through the schools, hospitals, local government and emergency services.  I shall never forget seeing the Mayor, who had been on the platform, walk among the groups as we took a break, thanking them.   

In September 2005 it was quite different, this time with much noisier prayer and more passion for the needs of our area, pleading with God for those in trouble on our streets sometimes, forgotten, used and sad.

This month it will be different again as we meet at the new youth venue OPEN on Bank Plain and pray for revival and unity in our churches. I work in The Great Hospital with many older people who remember huge Sunday Schools and moving Good Friday marches as every choir processed behind a cross towards the cathedral.  

Although there is life in our churches it is diminished, so prayer for the churches to be more alive again, it seems to me, can only be a good thing. This new life is not just for us to enjoy but will spill over into our communities. In Manchester people from all churches started to pray together once a quarter in 1993. It is now making such an impact on the city that there is an established partnership between church, police and civic authorities. The latter have gained such trust in the power of prayer that they send specific requests.

Join us as we unite in the love of God and pray with a common purpose to see His will be done on earth, for His love to be so prevalent in our lives that it touches our communities and area in a positive and dynamic way.    

Prayer in the Park invite everyone – young and old from every denomination to join usat Open, on Bank Plain in Norwich, on Saturday 23 September from 7pm to 9.30pm.  The nearest car parks are either St Andrews or Castle Mall.