24-40 Prayer is on its way to Lagan

At the moment, in addition to normal parish duties, I am working on a 24-40 prayer event in willowfield which begins this friday evening.

In the October edition of the Columban (our parish magazine) I wrote ...
"As we come to October one of the major events which is taking place within the diocese is 24-40 prayer, which you will read about elsewhere in the magazine. I would really like to encourage you to pop down to Willowfield and see what this is all about. Whilst in college in Dublin I was asked along with another colleague to arrange a similar event for the students. I wasn’t sure how it would go down but it was quite amazing. We set out various areas in a room for prayer, we had space for people to pray silently, places were people could write down their prayers, places were people could curl up on a sofa and pray, kneelers where they could kneel. This 24-40 event is not on its own, across the globe there are people praying continuously 24-7 in rooms, in churches, in shops. I was amazed at the different people of all ages who responded in college to come up to the prayer room and to pray.

It is so important that we pray, this event is all about setting a little bit of time aside to pray by yourself or with others if you wish in a slightly different way than we are used to. If you wouldn’t normally pray, I would encourage you to take the opportunity to drop into Willowfield and see what is going on! "

Other people have been asking me what it is?, and what do I have to do if I sign up?

Basically Willowfield Parish Church is going to be open for 24hrs throughout the 5 days. Each parish in the Deanery has been given a set of 1 hr slots at all times day and night. Individuals then sign up for a slot and go down and pray.

Around the church will be 10 stations, some have likened it to stations of the cross, which I suppose it is but instead of focusing on events of the passion of Christ we are focusing our attention on ten aspects of prayer incorporating Bible passages related to the issues, some books & resources to find out more for those who wish to engage further with a particular topic.


Below is some of our ideas which will be implemented on Friday. All are very welcome to attend, whilst there are slots you are more than welcome to drop in at any time to pray. A handover service is taking place at 8pm on Friday evening to which all are welcome.

Prayer Station 1 : Journey

Using a full size Sailing dinghy, with sail. Encourage prayer on stepping out, journey, hoisting the sails to the Spirit using the Bible as the compass, direction etc

Prayer Station 2: Lagan Deanery Churches

A map displayed flat on a table, with location of each church in the Deanery depicted by a small photo and then a cord/string to a prayer card with each church contributing 3 prayer points . Praying for our local areas

Prayer Station 3: World Mission – Diocesan links

A very large world map displayed vertically on a pin board. Individual flags (made from large pins and sticky label) for people to ‘stick in’ countries/ places of interest/commitment to world mission

Prayer Station 4 : Healing from memories of the ‘Troubles’

Display photo’s and newspaper cuttings remembering the troubles

Prayer Station 5: School/education.

Praying for education, school, college – set up a mock classroom, with 2 small desks (cover in paper for doodle prayers), Graffiti wall using black paper and chalks. Prayer points and possible church involvement

Prayer Station 6: Embracing diversity.

Prayer Station 7 : Harvest thanksgiving

Focus on Fairtrade. Posters, facts and examples of Fairtrade goods.

Prayer Station 8: Health care.

Area at front of church with large cross to be used. To pray for those know to us as sick, stones/pebbles to write their name on and place at foot of cross. General facts about health ie hospitals, care homes, community nursing, mental health teams

Prayer Station 9: financial poverty.

Prayer Station 10 : Worship corner/room.

Bibles, Cd's etc will be available in the worship section incorporating a full range of tastes from choral to taize, piano to Worship

Basically it will be a silent space to pray for the vaious issues around the church.

More information on 24-40 is available on the website www.24-40prayer.org

as we go through the preparations & the event hopefully images will be added to the blog & facebook.

Robert