A Week of 24/7 Prayer

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in south Edmonton is currently in the middle of a week of 24/7, non-stop, around-the-clock prayer. The week caps off four weeks of focussed prayer in the parish through the month of June.

During this week, individuals and small groups are invited to pray both indoors in the sanctuary and in the courtyard outside the church building. Organizer Robyn Thompson and her team have prepared a space filled with creative prayer stations for both adults and children, and are using a sign-up system to make sure there aren't too many people in the space at any given time. When a participant signs up to come and pray, they receive an email with detailed instructions on accessing the church and safety precautions.

Response from attendees has been great. One person told Thompson, "I was actually dreading my hour because I'm not a contemplative, I'm a do-er. How on earth was I going to sit and pray so long?! But then I got here and there is so much to do! It's just wonderful. I'm going to come back tomorrow."  

St. John's rector, the Ven. Richard King says, "It’s fantastic to see people joining in prayer and I thank all those who put this week together. Robyn and her team have done a great job. God is at work. And it proves again just how wonderful it is when members of the church family use their gifts to build up the Body of Christ."

Thompson asks the diocese to pray for this endeavour as well, "Please pray for St. John the Evangelist parish in our week of 24-7 prayer. Pray with us that God will breathe new life and deep joy into each of our parishes."