Every other Thursday during term time, we meet together from 8-9pm to thank God for all He has done, and to pray for the needs of our church family, our community, and our nation.

Every other Thursday (see our calendar here) we meet online using Microsoft Teams from just before 8pm to say hello, and then spend an hour in prayer for the many needs around us. Meeting online allows as many as possible to attend our prayer meeting, such as if travelling or living away for work.

Why is prayer important?

Just as we need to breath in and breath out to stay alive, the Bible and prayer are critical for our Spiritual lives. In fact, the first thing the early church did after Jesus ascended into Heaven is to gather for prayer…

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 1:12-14

And we ourselves are often instructed to pray often, throughout the Bible. Of course, few mentions are more famous than what we read in Philippians chapter 4:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

The apostle Paul himself was also a great example of a man who valued prayer – we read that he prayed for the churches he wrote to in Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, Thessalonica, as well as asking for or thanking for previous prayer from the church in Corinth, Thessalonica, plus from Timothy among others. And we read in 1 Thessalonians:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer isn’t the last resort, and as such should be a huge part of our lives.