Setting off

The first evening meeting of the Southampton House of Prayer discernment group.

So far 30 people from 14 churches have said they want to join the discernment group.

On this, the first meeting, there were 20 of us. From 9 churches.

We signed in and ate shepherds pie, sitting around in tables of 4.

Setting off in the right direction

Richard and Kathy offered some opening thoughts, as we set out to become a praying community together. 

Of the many things we could think about, here are some guiding thoughts.

• We are joining in with what God is already doing

  • We have been filled with a holy awe, feeling the weight of what God is already doing.

  • Each of us has a story of how we came to be here - get to know them.

  • We are going to be finding out what He has in mind

    • Picture Francesca had when we were praying back in December: A network of paths and roads hidden with dirt and dust and the Holy Spirit came and blew on it and the network of paths emerged. We know there are many people around the city who pray with passion individually and in various gatherings. How do we bring the right people together to form the core group? The Holy Spirit will reveal who.

• We are pilgrims

  • A helpful way to think of ourselves

  • A community of people always moving towards God

  • And we are committed to the end result of having a house of prayer

  • ‘In essentials unity in non-essentials liberty in all things love.’ (Richard Baxter cited in Dirty Glory p.317)

• Let us always walk in humility and dependence 

  • None of us are here because we are experts or capable.

  • Always praying: “Lord teach us to pray”

  • Never forgetting our dependence on God.

  • Mustard seed of a beginning - in an unexpected moment I heard God say “you and Kathy need to lead that”.

  • Not our will but yours

Prayers

Kathy led prayer time, reading Ps 84:5,6,7 for us to reflect on and listen to God. See what we discovered.

• Spend 15 mins focussing on, listening, in God’s presence

  • 5 mins quiet - I’ll pray after that.

  • Out loud after that is ok.

  • Draw, write, read bible

• Share anything particular (see Psalm 84 blog post)

Groups - a community that prays = what is our rhythm?

Rhythm of prayer = some kind of pattern or patterns that we adopt to help us pray.

• Groups of 4 max

• Ask each other - Why do we need a rhythm of prayer? 

• Ask each other - How do we develop it?

• Feedback is 3 reasons why and 3 practical things to develop a rhythm.

  • Tell us the reasons (note taker) [see blog]

  • Write up the practical things on flip chart  [see blog]

• Question for the group - how do we put these practical things to use?

  • We chose to go for “morning and evening prayer - be aware of His presence; not legalistic” We are aiming to do this every day some time between 6am-9am and 6pm-9pm. So our rhythm begins - as you pray, others will also be praying.

Ending

• Eating together: next week we all bring something to share (that doesn’t require heating).

• Set up - Richard here at 6pm to set up drinks, move chairs around. Helpers? Ken Fishlock.

• Milk for drinks - Richard will bring it next week.

• Do we need a rota for washing up? Just muck in each week.

• Car share? Sorted out a lift that was needed. 

• Homework - will send out by email.

1. Read John 9 - Discerning what God is doing. 

   1. 1. How did each of these groups react to the miracle: the blind man; disciples; friends and neighbours; pharisees; parents; Jesus. 

      2. What can you identify with in each reaction?

• 1. Start the rhythm of prayer with morning and evening prayer. Feedback next week how it was.

• Other? Fasting was suggested as something we should look into.