Town hall prayer call on bombings anniversary
2007:  A call was made for Christians across Norfolk to gather outside town hall at 12 noon on July 7, exactly two years after the London bombings, to pray for their communities. Gail Halley of Norfolk Call to Prayer reports.
Two years ago, the London bombings killed 52 people, injured very many more, and unleashed a wave of fear across the country.
Now, leaders of Britain’s prayer movements – being mindful of the date, 070707, as well as the anniversary - invited Christians to gather at their local Town Halls to pray for their communities.
The vision for this local-but-national prayer initiative emerged in the wake of the London bombings when Cindy Jacobs of Generals International, together with several UK prayer leaders, were praying for the nation. During this time of prayer Cindy released the word ‘070707 Open Heaven’, and they began to pray about gathering, maybe in Trafalgar Square for a day of forgiveness and prayer for all the pain and fear caused through the London bombings. As they followed the leading of the Lord, however, they sensed He wanted something new for the nation, at a grass-roots level.
At a London meeting Julie Anderson shared the word of 070707 with Dr. Jonathan Oleyede, Leader for Global Day of Prayer, London, who also sensed the significance of the date of 070707. It had been on the heart of Julie Anderson, and Lois Gott – founder members of the Deborah Company UK – to ask Church leaders, and Christians to pray for the nation on 070707.
As the vision has grown, the plan has gained backing from several national leaders so far, and is growing as a grass roots time of prayer. It is also taking off around the nation and is by no means confined to London.
Joel Edwards, General Director, Evangelical Alliance, “Prayer always has, and always will be the engine room in any Christian movement. 070705 shook our Nation. In response, we must shake our Nation with our prayer. "
Jane Holloway of World Prayer Centre, Birmingham says, ‘This is a wonderful opportunity to link up Watchmen across the nation to stand and pray at the same time in every community on 070707’.
Cindy Jacobs, Generals International says “There can be no doubt in my mind that this is the time for a mighty move of God in Britain! '07 is Open Heaven for the nation. Satan meant to wound the nation with the 070705 bombings but what he meant for evil God will turn for good in this powerful time of the church agreeing together in prayer at the Town Halls all across the nation.”
Julie Anderson, Co-founder of Prayer for the Nations says, “We ask you to join us in fulfilling this vision by being at your own local Town Hall at 11:00am to pray in preparation for a nation wide prayer to be corporately lifted up at 12 noon on 070707.”
Jill Gower, Call to Prayer, asked as many people as possible from the region to participate. “It would be great to see gatherings around the local Town Halls and the City Hall in Norwich.”
As Prayer for the Nation points out, “Your participation to pray at your Town Hall is very easy. Simply be there with members of your Sunday School, Youth Group, and Church congregation, and along with local Pastors, worshippers, take the light you have and pray for your church, family and friends, and the youth and children of your community. Also, if you wish, invite some public officials to participate with you in prayer.”
Suggested prayers
THE POWER OF BLESSING
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:14
Lord God we forgive those who have committed evil, in thought, word or deed, and sinned against You, and our nation, causing fear, pain or anger to enter the hearts of those who live in this town, and in our county. We release peace to rest unhindered over this local government and Town Hall, and pray that the decisions made by those in authority from here will release fairness and justice. On this day of 07 07 07 at 12 noon, we pray for every man, woman, young adult, and child who will be going in and out of this Town Hall. May Your peace flow from this Town hall to the entire city.
May all those who live in the jurisdiction that this Town Hall covers, be filled with wisdom and integrity from this day forward. May Your sovereignty will be released, upon all those within this Town Hall, working to rebuild hopes and dreams, and heal shattered lives in this community.
THE POWER OF AGREEMENT
Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18
We know that You Almighty God, can take whatever is meant for harm and turn it for good. Please do this, in our county, in the Name of Jesus. We release what is lawful in heaven into this community, and we bind here on the earth what is unlawful in heaven. We pray that all that is blocking the impact of Your love, peace, and joy in the hearts of all those in this area is released, and we pray for the fullness of Your provision of safety and peace. May Your will be done, may Your kingdom come. We ask that we will all have eyes to see, ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts to respond to love. We pray in particular for every family under the jurisdiction of this Town Hall, to be reconciled in Your peace.
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