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In 2005, on Monday 14th February 6.30pm to Tuesday 15th February 6.30pm
24 hours of prayer took place at Samares . This was part of the 24/7 Prayer
week which many churches in the Methodist Circuit are taking part in. Rev. Henry
Le Ruez writes;
I reacted impulsively when David Coote brought
up the suggestion that we should take up the challenge as a Circuit.
Of course we’ll do it at Samares!
Easy words which were to test my faith as the February week
loomed.
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The prayer mat! Roll the dice and everyone's a winner as we prayed for
the different situations that were associated with the numbers one to
six on the mat. |
| Filling the rota seemed challenging enough
with a small church although we were to discover that some who signed
for an hour actually turned up for more.
Nevertheless all the hours were taken and the opening service
around a table of candles awaiting THE candle from Bethlehem gave a
sense of expectancy and hope. Kevin
Jones arrived on his motor bike with the impressive candle he had made
for the occasion and stayed to share worship and prayer.
And so the prayer continued into the night when the Presence of
the Lord was definitely there carrying through into the morning hours.
People remarked on the sense of peace in the hall where the
prayer wall, the prayer map, the leaflets, booklets, Bible and song
books, the place for creativity in making things or drawing or
painting all were laid out in a warm welcoming atmosphere.
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A central candle was taken from chapel to chapel starting at
Bethlehem in St. Mary on Sunday the 13th |
| We did have visitors, which was encouraging
and some generously volunteered on the rota for much more than
expected. It perhaps was a
case of the more you put in, the more you found the blessing.
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A place where we could write down anything we felt was being said to us
during our time in prayer |
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A place to paint a prayer |
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The Sunday which completed the 24/7 week was
the day when Father Martin Poolton, Rector of St Peter had been
invited as our guest preacher. He
spoke openly of his own experiences of God at work in prayer and
provided us with encouragements – and homework.
At the close of the service, instead of people beginning to get
up for coffee and chat, the very reverse took place as everyone stayed
in their seats, without moving, aware that we were remaining in the
presence of God. This has
not happened at Samares for many months, and perhaps was a reminder
for us that the Lord has much in store.
Henry Le Ruez
March 2005
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