As part of a joint initiative, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and BMS World Mission teamed up to issue a call to prayer to British Baptists that began on Feb. 26.
The Wave of Prayer began that Friday. Baptist Union churches responded on Saturday and Sunday to the call made by Baptist Union president, Rev. Kingsley Appiagyei, to pray for revival. Monday, March 1, was set aside as a specific day of prayer for BMS World Mission.
Appiagyei has made prayer for revival a main theme of his presidential year, focusing particularly on 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
He said that it was deeply encouraging to know that many churches had supported the prayer weekend. “Personal comments have been received from ministers generally stating that the day of prayer has stirred something among their congregations,” he said.
“Knowing that the whole Baptist family across the U.K. [is] praying on the same day in itself gives a sense of ownership and motivation.”
Quoting Jeremiah 6:16, he stressed the importance of seeking the “old paths” where the “good way is.” He warned against the danger of Britain losing its religion in the face of an aggressive secularism.
“In terms of praying as a Baptist family, we have only just began. We should not stop but keep praying until change comes; till the heavens open; till the U.K. is filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. Until these things come to pass, we need to keep praying.”
Baptist Union general secretary, Rev. Jonathan Edwards, said that he was “thrilled by the Wave of Prayer initiative and for the way in which Pastor Kingsley as president of the Baptist Union has consistently encouraged prayer.
“It has been good to see BMS World Mission and all three Baptist Unions in these islands working together. I am deeply convinced that without prayer we are in danger. We will make bad decisions and live our lives in a distorted and destructive way. Prayer needs to be pushed much higher up all our agendas if we are to be truly effective for the Lord.”
The BMS day of prayer was observed at Baptist House, where staff were encouraged to take part in prayer sessions throughout the day. These were broken up according to geographical regions and areas of particular concern to BMS strategy. Among the themes for prayer were evangelism, global economic justice, believers with Muslim backgrounds, health and education.
In a first for BMS, the day of prayer was given a Web dimension as well, with churches encouraged to contribute via a blog and Twitter. Contributions ranged from Bible verses to written prayers from BMS staff and participants from churches throughout the country and abroad.
BMS general director, Rev. David Kerrigan, began the day with an address to staff. He read 1 Thessalonians 1:2, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”
“Part of what this weekend of prayer has meant for us is a reminder of what it means to be constant in our prayers,” he said, stressing the need to pray regularly and frequently for people for whom we have a concern.
This article appeared originally in The Baptist Times of Great Britain.
