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 PrayWithout Ceasing Ð a marathon 14 months of non-stop prayer. Aninitiative of the young people of Methodism, this 'year of prayer'encouraged churches and individuals to focus on prayer, affirm thatalready taking place and encourage fresh thinking about prayer. Theresponse was overwhelming, and Methodists are determined that thespirit and creativity of Pray Without Ceasing should be carriedforward into daily church and personal life.
Pray Without Ceasing started with early-morning celebrations on abeach in Torquay in June 2005, travelled throughout the UK and willfinish in North Wales, 1 September 2006. Despite a number ofnational events, such as a multi-faith prayer conference, the realwork has taken place in the local churches.
With an estimated 22, 000 hours spent in prayer, there was plentyof room for variety, including a prayer graffiti wall, Celticprayers, an overnight youth prayer lock-in and dance workshops. TheKidderminster and Stourport Circuit even chartered a train on whichto pray through different stops, with a candlelit communion serviceon the platform at Upper Arley train station.
Revd Michaela Youngson, Methodist Secretary for Pastoral Care andSpirituality, said; 'We hope that people have found that theirrelationship with God has deepened as a result of this renewedfocus on prayer. We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm andcreativity of Methodists across the UK. Although the ConnexionalTeam has produced many of the resources, it is the local churchcommunities who have really caught the vision and so many inspiringstories have come out of it Ð a church in Mississippi has been sotouched by it that they hope to launch their own year ofprayer.'
Expressing the positive response found throughout the UK, HarryAlton, of the Chester-le-Street Circuit, said; 'When we get to theend 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 tooÐ wherever we are, whatever we are doing'.
The year of prayer has been supported by a website, offeringresources, ideas, chat forum, details of events and even an onlineprayer space. Though the year has ended,
Part of the legacy of Pray Without Ceasing will be a new onlineprayer labyrinth, to be launched in September.