31 August 2006
Methodists celebrate 'enthusiastic' year of non-stop prayer
· 14 months
· 33 Methodist districts
· More than 22,000 hours spent in prayer
As September begins, the Methodist Church bids farewell to Pray
Without Ceasing Ð a marathon 14 months of non-stop prayer. An
initiative of the young people of Methodism, this 'year of prayer'
encouraged churches and individuals to focus on prayer, affirm that
already taking place and encourage fresh thinking about prayer. The
response was overwhelming, and Methodists are determined that the
spirit and creativity of Pray Without Ceasing should be carried
forward into daily church and personal life.
Pray Without Ceasing started with early-morning celebrations on a
beach in Torquay in June 2005, travelled throughout the UK and will
finish in North Wales, 1 September 2006. Despite a number of
national events, such as a multi-faith prayer conference, the real
work has taken place in the local churches.
With an estimated 22, 000 hours spent in prayer, there was plenty
of room for variety, including a prayer graffiti wall, Celtic
prayers, an overnight youth prayer lock-in and dance workshops. The
Kidderminster and Stourport Circuit even chartered a train on which
to pray through different stops, with a candlelit communion service
on the platform at Upper Arley train station.
Revd Michaela Youngson, Methodist Secretary for Pastoral Care and
Spirituality, said; 'We hope that people have found that their
relationship with God has deepened as a result of this renewed
focus on prayer. We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and
creativity of Methodists across the UK. Although the Connexional
Team has produced many of the resources, it is the local church
communities who have really caught the vision and so many inspiring
stories have come out of it Ð a church in Mississippi has been so
touched by it that they hope to launch their own year of
prayer.'
Expressing the positive response found throughout the UK, Harry
Alton, of the Chester-le-Street Circuit, said; 'When we get to the
end of this year, there is no suggestion that we will stop praying;
it is good to be reminded again of the importance of prayer and,
because life is a moment by moment experience Ð that prayer is too
Ð wherever we are, whatever we are doing'.
The year of prayer has been supported by a website, offering
resources, ideas, chat forum, details of events and even an online
prayer space. Though the year has ended, www.praywithoutceasing.org.uk
will continue to offer ideas and inspiration to individuals and
churches seeking a new dimension to prayer.
Part of the legacy of Pray Without Ceasing will be a new online
prayer labyrinth, to be launched in September. www.lostinwonder.org.uk
will be fully interactive, inviting visitors on a spiritual journey
of encounter and challenge. To encourage people to keep the spirit
of Pray Without Ceasing alive, a new book will be published,
telling the stories of those who have taken part. It will also
offer even more resources and ideas for exploring prayer, both
individually and as the body of Christ.