By CCCNZ Prayer Coordinator Jackie Millar
In March 2020, I met with two elders from Hillcrest Chapel (Waikato) to talk about prayer in their church community. Their heart for “more” in prayer was evident; not only for themselves or the elders but for the whole church.
Fast forward through various COVID-19 lockdown levels, changes within their church community, including changes in pastoral staff, a few Zoom prayer meetings, and hosting the Waikato Prayer Gathering in August... and I met up with elder Anna Mills to see how they were going.
After hosting the Waikato Prayer Gathering, they set about organising a week of prayer for the church, encouraging fasting of various kinds as people felt led.
This was preceded by two weeks of teaching on prayer and fasting and the various prayer focus points for the week were highlighted. During the week of prayer, they held a 30 min Zoom prayer meeting every morning at 6:30am.
There is now enthusiasm for this being morphed into a weekly Zoom prayer meeting, open to everyone. The Prayer Room had various prayer stations which focused on the Lord's Prayer. At the end of the week, during the Sunday service, they shared testimonies followed by a pot-luck lunch together.
The elders also continue to meet weekly, via Zoom to pray together and are intentionally looking at ways to raise the banner of prayer in their church community. They’re excited for 2022 and growing together in prayer.
In sharing a small part of their journey, may it encourage you to press on in prayer for your church community.
