The Prayer Hatch

I've been wanting to write up the following account for a long time, but wasnt really sure if it was bloggable material really , but felt strongly today that I should write this piece, if for nothing else but posterity's sake.

The following occurence is a great example of God at work from vision to fruition, and I think gives hope to the innovative, strength to the initiators out there, and fuel to the creative minds amongst us.

It started one freezing morning in a prayer room at sanctuary 21 Durham, a city centre 24/7 prayer centre.

Dawn and I were praying.

It was very early on after we had opened the doors for the very first time following a year and a half of spiritual preparation for the planting of S21.

The location of S21s amazing grade 2 star listed building which historically goes back to the 1600s is of critical value to the base element of the missional outflow of the prayer house, from knees to street. it is located on a pedestrianised street that is the main thoroughfare that runs through the City centre of Durham UK. The foot traffic that continually move through the street day and night means that you have to think through how best to connect the sanctuary to the street and the street to the sanctuary.

That is precisely what we were praying about that very morning.

Lord, how do we best reach the people who walk past this place every day, any ideas?

As we were praying that very simple prayer, God dropped a picture and a thought direct into my head.

He showed me one of the doors on the frontage of our building, the middle door out of three entrance doors that we have spaced out at various points on the front of the building facing the street. The door was open and I heard a voice saying, "Get a table and put it the open door out onto the street, put some blank cards and a few pens and make up a sign saying pray here."

I digested the strong thought and picture and suddenly laughed.

I said to God, "Is that all you can come up with God? Thats not very innovative or exciting is it Lord?"

God replied, "So?"

I replied, "So is that really what you want then Lord?"

"Yes" was fired back at me in no uncertain terms.

So I found an old table that was about the width of the door, and painted it silver to make it look a bit more exciting.

It didn't work it still looked like an old table, only a silver old table.

I went down to a card shop and bought a couple of packs of plain cards.

I then printed a sheet out with the very words God had given me, "Pray here".

It took all of ten minutes to open the door, lay the table across the opening onto the street, place the cards and the pens on the table, and hang the sign to pray here over the edge of the table.

We called it the prayer hatch.

And it looked a bit naff really.

I said to God, "OK God you'll have to do something here then because on the face of it this isnt really a groundbreaking mission innovation is it?"

Within a minute of saying that daft prayer a young girl came up to the table off the street, and she started to cry.

Anyone who knows me will know I'm not well gifted when it comes to crying girls!

I'm a bit rubbish with that stuff really.

But here she was writing out a prayer and crying at the same time.

I tried to get Dawn!

But I couldn't find her.

So I had to ask. "Are you OK", (That old line) was all I could think to say.

It turned out that this was her last day in Durham after being at the university for four years and she was saying goodbye to the city. She said she wasn't a Christian, but just saw the table and felt she needed to write something.

As she talked with me, I noticed a bit of queue was forming behind her.

The next person was a girl who shared with me that she was a single mum who had tried to go to Church. But because her two year old son was a bit noisy, she had been basically asked to leave by two different churches, but she said she believed in God and wanted to worship. This girl two years on comes to the prayer hatch every day and prays, she says it's kind of her church now.

Two years on, we have had thousands of people come to the prayer hatch.

Our walls are adorned with prayers direct from the street. They ar everywhere. thousands of them. We now have a team of intercessors who pray for every card and request.

To read these walls is a mission in itself, as the most heartfelt heartcries of the nation and in fact the nations connect with those who read them. we have had queues on more than one occasion, lining up to be prayed with or write a card. I could sit here and write a hundred stories of how God has touched a life at that table.

It is  a mercy seat on the street.

Just the other day, an official from Durham City vision, who are involved in the outward appearance of the streets of Durham, came in and wanted to see me about the work that is being done to renovate the next phase of our building overhaul.

He was so taken by the effect the prayer hatch is having in the city that he is looking into funding a proper prayer hatch designed specifically for people to come and pray from the street.

It all started with an old table and a sign saying pray here.

I'll stop the story there for now.

The thing I wanted to say though, is whatever God shows you, no matter how crazy it seems, test it. Do what he asks. we like to create our complex strategies in Church, strategies that work incredibly well in the world of business.

But the thing is.

This is not the world of business.

This is Kingdom business.

And the rules of engagement have to be different?

If God is in something, no complex strategy will ever matter really.

Because God will have his way.

So if God is speaking?

ACT!

For the Kingdoms sake.

Because God is the ultimate innovator. (He has got a track record in creativity afer all!)

Collision

The thing is I get lost sometimes.

Lost in a world of technology and communications.

This afternoon I was lost in one such world.

Yeah it was work and definately not play, nevertheless I was still lost in it.

Working on my computer is not best done in the cafe of my Church S21, because within five minute I will be engaged in conversation with someone or other or something or other.

Richard came and sat with me with his bowl of freshly made soup and his cup of hot tea.

So there we were.

Both of us sitting around a trendy alluminium table on trendy alluminium chairs. Me with my treasured computer, a treasured work tool, and Richard with his bowl of soup and cup of tea.

Richard is homeless and is fighting every day for warmth food and alcohol. Every day is a struggle for survival. Here he was with something treasured more than any computer, a bowl of steaming soup.

I am not homeless.

Here I was wrapped up in preparing a series of talks I have to do around the UK over the next few months.

Two people.

Same building.

Same table.

Two very different worlds.

As I watched Richard put the first spoonful of soup in his mouth, I saw him kind of close his eyes in an expression of sheer joy. He had found some food and he badly needed it.

It was sweet moment in the middle of a hard life for him.

Suddenly I felt our two worlds collide.

I was trying to carry on with my work while he was eating.

But I felt God ask me to lay down the computer and step into Richards world with him just for a while,

He needed to talk, to experience human contact just as much as he needed the soup.

And I think I understood just a little bit more that scripture that says, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15: 13)

So laying down your life of course means literally that, and many throughout history have done that, and there is no greater love that. But I also think this laying down also includes laying down your own life for a second or two to help someone in need or take some sort of action to make someones life much better.

I also think we should rediscover or improve the art of laying things down for others.

It is a vital element of the mission of God.

So what are you doing right now? (Apart from reading this!)

Is there someone who could do with  touch from God throough you right now?

Is there someone who needs you right now?

Then let your two worlds collide.

Its a love thing.

And there is no greater love than this.

Fight in our Bellies

The UK Salvation Army has gone "I'll Fight" crazy.

Excitement is stirring towards the I'll fight Congress next year.

Let's remind ourselves of the word that the founder William Booth delivered to salvationists in his last ever sermon at the Albert Hall London.

While women weep as they do now, i'll fight.
While children go hungry as they do now. i'll fight.
While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, i'll fight.
while there is a drunkard left, while there is a lost girl upon the streets, while there is one dark soul without the light of God, i'll fight. i'll fight to the very end.

So let's put this in perspective for a second.

This is absolutely no little Salvation Army ditty that sounds good in a song or some play on some platform somewhere.

This is massively prophetic.

It is a timeless word that deals directly with the end game, the reason, and the mission of the Salvation Army.

It is as fresh now as it was when it flowed from Booth's beard surrounded mouth.

And listen, he was the visioner, the initiator, the courageous freedom fighter, that started it all, as God worked his wonder working power right through his being.

Its a statement of justice for the poor, freedom for the captives, a communal ground for the lost and the lonely, it is a declaration of the will to succeed for the kingdoms sake.

It is an invitation for every salvationist that ever lived, or will live, to direct every ounce of energy to saving a dying world. To give everything to release those who are trapped, to bring liberation to the unfree, to bring the healing of Jesus to the sick. To befriend the friendless and the lonely, to stand alongside the poor and live out the power of the gospel.

It is a statement that says put every other thing aside that is useless to the kingdom and bring the amazing love of Jesus through the Holy Spirit to a world that desperately needs him.

While we are focussing on this statement it is a good time to take a long hard look at ourselves and give ourselves an honest answer. Is this the Army we belong to?

A few days ago I sat with the friend of a homeless guy who had just died alone in a bus shelter in the centre of the City. He is homeless himself, and on this day he was drunk. As we talked, lots of other homeless guys came in and I was amazed how they each brought him things. Food, clothes, books, chocolate. They hugged him and cried with him. 

And I thought.

This was the most amazing demonstration of kingdom values being shared that I think I am ever likely to see.

They were fighting for their brother.

So here is the thing.

How prepared to fight are we?

I want to ask that again.

How prepared to fight are we?

As we gear up to expore the i'll fight word, let's check ourselves, are we really prepared to fight for the very lives that walk this broken earth?

If we are not, if excuses surface, if duty has to be done before the fight starts, if business and strategy and finance takes priority, if our doors are closed to the outcast, if prayer is way down the pecking order, if the prophetic are shut down, if risk takers are stifled?

Then we can say with honesty that we really are finished.

Lord bless us. Ignite our passion for the lost.

Put a fighting Spirit in our bellies.

So we can fight to the very end.

Tears of a Jeremiah

Speak this word to them: "Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing: for my virgin daughter, my people, has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow." (Jeremiah 14: 7)

My mobile phone rang this morning.

I kind of wish it hadn't.

A very alarmed voice on the other end was the bringer of bad news.

One of the homeless guys that are part of our community at S21 in Durham was struggling to get his words out.

He told me that Ian, a guy in his forties who came in regularly had been found dead.

My heart just took a dive.

Ian came in regularly for some warmth and some food and drink. he hung around with another homeless guy called Richard. They went everywhere together and even shared a doorway to sleep at night. they had both recently gone missing for three months, in fact the police came into S21 asking if we had seen them recently as they were listed as missing.

But one afternoon they just walked into our building as if nothing had happened.

They had walked to Scarborough from Durham, about 100 miles or so, as they said, "to see the sea."

I had taken a shine to both these guys.

They are amazing.

Yeah they are dirty, have nothing but a tin opener, knife, mug and tent, and are both addicted to alcohol, but boy I could sit and listen to their stories for hours.

Ian had not had a chance really.

He told me he had been abused all his life, which left him angry and bitter. That anger eventually put paid to his family, his job and any prospect of a future. he turned to alcohol which in turn took a hold of his life. This completed a downward spiral that saw him sleeping rough and life became a daily grind to search for the means to get the alcohol he desired to feed his addiction.

about three weeks ago he came into S21 nd his face was a mess.

H had either fell down drunk, or he had taken a beating .

he couldnt remember which.

I sat with him then and asked him if he wanted to change his life around. He turned his head, a messed up head, and said, "Gaz I do want to so much, but I just can't."

I remember I was angry with alcohol. Angry that yet again it has gripped another beautiful life. yeah I hear an uncompassionate world saying it was his choice, his fault, but if they heard this guys story? I think the world would think again.

But today? It probably claimed his life.

Way to early.

Richard his friend, had to go an identify the body apparently, and I fear for him. another amazing life in danger.

In fact today I am upping my prayer for those vulnerable people who live on the edge of alive.

Writing this in the silence of one of the prayer rooms  S21, I cry the tears of a Jeremiah who, like God, would weep over a nation.

I weep over a nation that largely walks on by the homeless and the broken.

I weep for Ian and Richard and those who for whatever reason have nothing, they live in despair and lack of hope.

Its sad today that another person has died so young.

Ian suffered immeasurably, rejected by a world that had no time for him.

He was rejected and despised.Then left to die alone.

Ring any bells yet?

Yeah, I weep today the tears of Jesus who knew exactly how Ian felt. Jesus knew him, loved him, hung around with him, wanted the very best for him, treasured him.

Ian couldn't seem to see that.

But, I rejoice in the fact that he did experience God's amazing love through the kindness of a Church who loved him, did have time for him and showed him the practical love of a saviour.

And there lies the mission heart of Christianity.

Acceptance, love and compassion.

I challenge the church today, all of us who say we are part of it, to let those things course through our veins.

I challenge us to not be afraid to weep the tears of a Jeremiah that would weep over a nation.

Because from those tears flows action, flows love, flows the Spirit of God, flows mission.

Massive blessing all over your life today.

Watchable Chaos!

The first day back from our holidays was special.

Well I think so anyway!

It's freshers week in Durham. Hundreds of new and returning students are filling the streets, buzzing about. Some looking a little pale and lost, others loud and brash.

A kind of watchable chaos!

But the City has taken on a fresh vibrancy this week.

And so has Sanctuary 21.

The worship Studio is converted into a kind of freshers market place where churches and various Christian groups like the University CU and of course us at S21 are making contact with new Students and welcoming back the familiar students that we already know and love.

There is a 24/7 Prayer event going on downstairs with loads of young people heading to our Prayer Centre to pray.

The place has been packed with people coming and going, praying and eating, laughing and crying.

There is definately a spiritual electricity riding in the air.

It is so so so good to be back.

But adding massively to the vibrancy are the really needy people who flock into our place for friendship, food, drink and warmth.

The homeless, the poor, the lonely, yeah, even the sick.

James, an amazing guy who works for Emmanual Church in Durham and has a big heart for the lost, and I, this morning set about making bacon sandwiches for these people (well, James did, I am just useless in the kitchen) as we have planned to do every thursday morning and give them opportunity to talk to us about anything.

I want to say this morning, I felt so humbled by sitting with these people, and the welcome they gave me back from my holidays. I felt loved and accepted and needed in my work for God. What a massive lift I got this morning.

What a contrast though.

Amazing young people at the start of their time at university in a new City and all the excitement, hope and newness that comes with that.

On the other hand, equally as amazing people who in many cases dont have anything. No place to lay thier heads, no money, they cant see any future, they have lost hope in many ways. many of them are probably at the lowest point a human can reach. I sat with a beautiful girl later on in the morning, who told me she had been sleeping rough for the last year and how she had to resort to working the streets to get money. She looked at me with awesome green eyes that were vibrant yet really sad and said, "I just need someone to talk to." My heart flipped over a few times and I locked into her pain a bit.

I want to talk to her.

For hours.

I want to be available day and night for these guys.

I say I want to see the lonely making friends, the homeless getting shelter, the alcoholic getting dry, the drug addict getting clean. th prostitute getting off the streets.

looking at this contrast between hope and no hope, I just knew more than ever to day that Jesus stands there.

I knew with a strength of confidence I havent been able to reach in a while, that he is there for everyone. No one who has ever walked this earth has been without the love from a saviour.

Hes there for the student.

He is there for the homeless guy.

He is there for you.

And listen, God needs every Christian to be there for the whosoever.

It's good to be reminded that we are his hands and feet.

We are it, the Church, his hands and his feet.

Are we there for the whosoever?