This article was originally published on the Official website of the National Service Committee for the Charismatic Renewal in England and is available to view here: http://www.ccr.org.uk/articles/coronavirus/ it can also be downloaded here.
When lockdown was announced due to the coronavirus, Ros Powell felt led to make a virtual prayer group invitation, leading to many graces.
St Teresa’s prayer group in Stoke-on-Trent usually meets every Monday at 8 pm for prayer, praise and worship, intercession, scripture readings and prayers for healing. We have done so for over 30 years.
As prayer group leader, then, I felt such frustration that we were unable to meet together as usual, due to the closure of our churches.
I have also been self-isolating since 17 March, and already missing fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to neglect meeting together. It goes on to say: encourage one another. On Monday 23 March, the Lord put it on my heart to text all prayer group members.
I asked them to join me, united as one in the Spirit, between 8-9 pm for a time of praise, worship, prayer, intercession and scripture reading, as the Holy Spirit led them. In Colossians 3:16, we read how the Lord encourages us to read God’s word, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to God.
I then felt led to extend the virtual prayer group invitation.
A Heaven-Sent Text Ministry
As a Catholic speaker, I have been blessed with a heaven-sent text ministry!
I am able to text a lot of wonderful people, at the touch of a button, who will then partner with me in prayer, for protection and the success of any mission the Lord sends me on.
They will also forward the prayer request on to many others. So, when I’m on assignment, hundreds or thousands of people could be praying. How awesome is our God!
Many of the intercessors are elderly. Some are unfamiliar with Skype/ Zoom and similar modern technology, so this was a good way to meet up in the Spirit and pray together.
So, at 8 pm we all kicked in each one of us in different locations being led by the Holy Spirit. Immediately I could feel the presence of the Lord, and knowing that all my brothers and sisters in Christ were in fellowship coming as one voice with me.
It was amazing how the presence of the Holy Spirit fell.
“Keep Your Eyes Focused On Jesus”
For my hour I was led to praise and worship, followed by the Word of God; my focus was on Psalm 91. I made a decree, then declared the sacred words over my family and friends, which was then extended to cover the people all over the world.
I prayed loudly using the gift of tongues, which was followed by a time of silence, during which the Lord gave me these words: “Unchartered Choppy Waters.”
Keep your eyes off the visible circumstances which you see all around you, I heard. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, the rock of ages, and you will not sink beneath the waves. Do not be afraid.
The feedback was amazing. People texted the scriptures, words of knowledge etc. they received during the hour of prayer. It was powerful. As a result, we plan to meet spiritually (Ephesians 2:6 seated in heavenly places)-same time, same place next Monday. We are even being joined by a prayer group in Portugal!
We all are struggling to find fellowship in these unprecedented days. Please can I suggest the structure above for your own prayer groups. Feel free to join us each Monday in the Spirit.
What the enemy intends for bad, the Lord can and will turn it around to his greater glory-see Genesis 50:20.