Prayer for the nation in 2005
I have found the following entry in the IIP journal of 2005 very significant on rediscovering it in July 2016. Significant in terms of where we stand as a nation today, 11 years later, but also in terms of projects that began to form around this time such as Town Pastors and Talitha Koum.
"Tuesday 12th July 2005
Just five days after the terrible events of 07/07 in London, five Christian leaders from Ipswich travelled to Parliament, to join in the National Prayer Breakfast. Time as spent with hundreds of others from across the nation worshiping and praying in St Mary Undercroft, beneath Westminster Hall, where we had breakfast.
Together we knelt to pray through 2 Chronicles 7:14, and together we stood to sing and proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ over Parliament and over our nations. It was a special privilege and atmosphere, praying within the Historic Walls.
We were addressed by a number of Christian MPs, who spoke of a new dialogue developing between Church and State, about a new agenda for our nation, with the Church being called to be at the forefront and not in the background. We as Christians are on the front foot, declaring what is God's vision for this nation.
Those of us outside Parliament need to support in prayer and trust the men and women who God has sent into this place to do this. We need to build, along with them, something to bring honour and glory to God.
We heard from one MP who has spent 15 years waiting on God and praying, since she first knew that one day she would be standing for election to Parliament. In the space of 3.5 months it suddenly happened, and the preparation time has become the 'such a time as this' time.
We finished the morning by singing 'In Christ Alone' over Parliament and the Nation.
We then had coffee on the Terrace with our own MP for Ipswich, who we thanked for his sacrifice, assuring him of our prayers."
Now in 2016, let's remember again that 2 Chronicles 7:14 verse - the foundational verse of Ipswich in Prayer, as we pray for God to hear from heaven, to forgive our sins and heal our land. Let's pray together for the raising up of Goldly leaders and leadership in and for our nation, for the 'Moses anointing' needed to lead us forward into uncharted territory.
I have found the following entry in the IIP journal of 2005 very significant on rediscovering it in July 2016. Significant in terms of where we stand as a nation today, 11 years later, but also in terms of projects that began to form around this time such as Town Pastors and Talitha Koum.
"Tuesday 12th July 2005
Just five days after the terrible events of 07/07 in London, five Christian leaders from Ipswich travelled to Parliament, to join in the National Prayer Breakfast. Time as spent with hundreds of others from across the nation worshiping and praying in St Mary Undercroft, beneath Westminster Hall, where we had breakfast.
Together we knelt to pray through 2 Chronicles 7:14, and together we stood to sing and proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ over Parliament and over our nations. It was a special privilege and atmosphere, praying within the Historic Walls.
We were addressed by a number of Christian MPs, who spoke of a new dialogue developing between Church and State, about a new agenda for our nation, with the Church being called to be at the forefront and not in the background. We as Christians are on the front foot, declaring what is God's vision for this nation.
Those of us outside Parliament need to support in prayer and trust the men and women who God has sent into this place to do this. We need to build, along with them, something to bring honour and glory to God.
We heard from one MP who has spent 15 years waiting on God and praying, since she first knew that one day she would be standing for election to Parliament. In the space of 3.5 months it suddenly happened, and the preparation time has become the 'such a time as this' time.
We finished the morning by singing 'In Christ Alone' over Parliament and the Nation.
We then had coffee on the Terrace with our own MP for Ipswich, who we thanked for his sacrifice, assuring him of our prayers."
Now in 2016, let's remember again that 2 Chronicles 7:14 verse - the foundational verse of Ipswich in Prayer, as we pray for God to hear from heaven, to forgive our sins and heal our land. Let's pray together for the raising up of Goldly leaders and leadership in and for our nation, for the 'Moses anointing' needed to lead us forward into uncharted territory.