|
Thurrock goes to Parliament
On Monday 8th June, situated in the bowels of the Houses of Parliament itself, a group of Thurrock residents went to Westminster to join in with the Week of Prayer for Parliament and Government. They attended the opening event in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft - located in a 13th century crypt, it's a low-ceilinged, slightly dim and subdued church, but richly decorated in an early Victorian Medieval style. The hour long service was God-incidentally being conducted at the very same time that PM Gordon Brown was addressing Labour MPs after a torrid week at the polls and in the aftermath of the expenses row.
 Led by Phil Anderson, 24-7 Prayer's man in Parliament, we were led through a very simple (but very effective) hour-long menu based on 'ACTS' - adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. These four 'stations' were interspersed with readings from the NIV and The Message, given mostly by Thurrockites! We were also led in worship by gospel quartet All About Christ. There were around 60 people there.
For the adoration and praise section, we all exalted the name of Christ and declared his rulership over the Commons and the Lords and the nation of Great Britain. We did this all at the same time, Korean-style.
During the confession and repentance section, Phil urged us to be still before the Lord, and to call out areas that we felt we should ask forgiveness for, in our government and the nation.
When it came to thanksgiving and blessing, we prayed for those Christians attending the service who actually work in Parliament.
Finally, we offered requests and intercession around four themes. Phil divided us into four groups for this, praying for the Prime Minister and members of Parliament and for a restoration for trust in them; and for the nation at this time and her involvement in world politics, conflicts and environmental issues where international co-operation is required.
 The picture shows Barbara Brown of Thurrock Healing Rooms waiting for Big Ben to chime 7.30pm!
Prayer events at and around Parliament are continuing all week. Please see www.christiansinparliament.org.uk and www.christiansingovernment.org.uk.
Go to this link to find out about the prayer meeting in Marsham Street, Westminster, this coming Friday night - led by Jonathan Oloyede of Global Day of Prayer London (who'll be at the Thurrock Day of Prayer on 24 October).
See St Mary Undercroft at www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/3468615879/ and http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/church_state/westminster_palace/st_stephens_chapel_08.shtml.
For Phil's book about Count Zinzendorf, Lord of the Ring, go to www.www.philanderson.org/lotr or www.amazon.com/Lord-Ring-Phil-Anderson/dp/0830743278.
Pray for Thurrock's MPs - Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock) and Angela Smith (East Thurrock & Basildon) - Angela has just been promoted to a junior cabinet post.
|
Tim Harrold, 12/06/2009 |
|
|
