POWER OF PRAYER

If you truly believe in the power of prayer then please pray and keep on praying! That was the challenge given to Baptist churches in Gwent as they concluded a special 24-hour prayer event with a service of prayer and praise at Tabernacle, Newbridge on 25^th January.

Organised by the Rev’d. Jonathan Forman (Blaenau Gwent, Abertillery) on behalf of the Gwent Baptist Association, the around-the-clock prayer drive was just one of a number of initiatives the association has planned to mark 2020 designated by the Baptist Union of Wales as a Year of Prayer. The aim is for all of us in the Baptist “family” to seek God and His guidance as churches and chapels face ever-growing challenges in this secular society in which we live.

Jonathan produced an easy-to-use prayer pack with Bible readings and prayer suggestions for each of the 24 hours with special attention being given to how David was able to maintain an intimate relationship with God through the ups and downs of his life as underlined by Psalm 23. Some churches chose to hold extended prayer sessions while others selected specific slots during the period.

BUW director of mission the Rev’d Simeon Baker gave an all-Wales perspective on prayer needs at the final service and highlighted the exciting development of new “reverse missionaries” – from countries which we once thought of as the overseas mission field – arriving to serve our churches. Tim Moody, assistant pastor at Moriah Baptist Church, Risca, focused on the need to pray for the churches in Gwent. “If you really believe in the power of prayer, then please pray and keep on praying!!”, he said.

Jonathan said: “It was great that we could all pray with one heart as we seek to better serve God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”