North West
We decided to have a week of 24-7 prayer on the North West district during the Methodist churches year of prayer. Thanks to the help of the youth department and two cars traveling around to set up prayer rooms and brief people on how it works. We had a launch service on Sunday night in Omagh on the Sunday evening and 12 hours prayer there then castlederg took over. Followed by Strabane, Donegal town, Carlise rd in Derry, Innishowen, Limavady, Coleraine and back to Clooney hall for the final 24 hours and closing service 8pm. Each church varied from 6-12 hour slots with the final 24 hours in Derry.
Why did you decide to pray this way?
We decided to do this because the district has drifted apart over the years and we needed something to bring us all together with a common goal.
And we were introducing the idea to the members of the churches as most of them hadn't heard of the idea before and were a bit skeptical what it was all about.
How did the churches respond?
The church responded amazingly we could have filled slots many times over and many people can for an hour and stayed for 2-3, everyone was blessed and god spoke to his people.
It was a fantastic week and many people found it a great experience and many of the churches continue to have a prayer room during lent or the Easter period.
Tell us about the challenges and blessings
My advice is just go for it the blessings far out measure the problems and hurdles you'd face planning and getting ready, as God just takes over and its awesome!
(Editors note - This Experience took a lot of hard work and coordination on the part of and the district churches, at times it felt impossible and a little bit mad, but it truly was a privilege to be part of helping churches across this district set up prayer rooms and get excited about prayer and experience God in new ways over the week. The final service was a celebration of God at work, and it did bring the district together with a packed church on the Sunday night to tell and hear stories! If your district would think of attempting this contact Gillian Best on gillianbest@irishmethodist.org for detail of how it worked practically.)
