Thursday, July 13, 2006

Kitty O'Shea's Prayer Group - July 10

Eight regulars gathered at Kitty’s to pray today, joined by Hank’s daughter.

We heard of Allison’s plans to produce a secular movie, with a redemptive storyline, with a non-Christian colleague. We remembered this project in prayer. We discussed what it meant to communicate winsomely and effectively in this culture. Andrea mentioned that she had joined an open air worship and evangelism session in the pit at Harvard Square on the previous weekend; and that it had been good to have light brought into that place. We prayed for one Albanian man whom she had met and spoken with on that occasion. The event will be repeated on 21 July.

We prayed too for some of the struggles going on around us:

  • We were grateful for the Supreme Court Decision allowing the marriage amendment proposal to go forward, and prayed for legislators and those leading this cause;
  • The Anglican Communion is fracturing after recent decisions by the US Episcopal church, and we asked for wisdom for the leaders of Episcopal churches here and abroad as to how to respond.

As we prayed for the city of Boston, we prayed that we would know how to speak life to the people of the city. We were struck by the energy and enthusiasm generated in the city by the World Cup final the night before, and asked that people would come to know the true source of energy. We prayed for leaders in this centre of power and privilege to come to know the true source of life. We prayed for the leaders of all churches in Boston that they would be praying and seeking God at this time.

Some were impatient for God to show and grow his work in this city. At least one present felt like the disciplines on the Emmaus Road—uncertain and somewhat confused about recent events, where so much expectation had been built up of Jesus moving in power; and yet a crucifixion was all that seemed to happen. We gave thanks that, like the disciplines on the road, Jesus draws near to us, and speaks to us in ways which open our eyes and warm our hearts.

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