Events
Yorkshire ‘concert of prayer’
In December 2010, the Yorkshire Reformed Ministers’ Fraternal issued a call to prayer to Yorkshire churches for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our churches and nation. A united gathering was convened in Leedson Saturday, 26 March 2011.
It was a rich encouragement when about 120 people came from more than 20 churches in Yorkshire. Some had travelled 70 miles. As many led in earnest prayer, the sense of God’s presence was very real.
A second united gathering was held just before Whit Sunday, on 11 June. A satellite meeting was held simultaneously in Whitby for those living a long way from Leeds. Again, the response was encouraging, with about 90 at Leeds and 35 at Whitby.
Once again, we knew the leading of the Spirit and fervency in prayer. As on the day of Pentecost, our prayer is that thousands upon thousands of true conversions will take place across our nation.
We then held a morning of prayer on Saturday 17 September, with seven simultaneous gatherings around Yorkshire — in Doncaster, Halifax, Hull, Mirfield, Otley, Ripon, and Whitby.
Our hope was that having more local meetings would enable even more to attend. This proved to be the case. About 200 came, representing about 40 churches. On that September morning there was an uplifting quality to the praying. It was a blessing to be involved.
Our need is truly desperate and our only hope is in God. We cannot turn the tide; only an outpouring of the Holy Spirit will enable the gospel to advance with power in the UK.
As I write, we are planning the next event — another central, united gathering for prayer in Leeds on the morning of Saturday 5 November, with a simultaneous meeting in Whitby.
That evening people will be lighting their bonfires. May it please the Lord to send spiritual fire from heaven on our needy generation.
Jonathan Bayes
