Feedback: We were privileged to be able to hold a service of thanksgiving and prayer inside our Parliament Buildings at Stormont, hosted by one of our MLA’s, Naomi Long. So far as we are aware, this was the only GDOP event to be held in one of the participating nation’s seat of government and it was fitting to come together to add to prayers said over many years for our nation. Because of security concerns it had to be an invitation-only event but over 200 gathered from all parts of the province and farther a field, and from all denominations to pray and to worship the Lord.
The first part of our service started with Colossians 1:15 – 23 declaring the supremacy of Christ. This was followed by a time of reflection and thanksgiving led by representatives from both sides of our community for what we have seen God do for us here in Northern Ireland and people were moved by the live visual presentation to the song “The Troubles and O’er” by Jonny Parks. God has surpassed our widest expectations with the major breakthrough and change in our political situation so it was with great enthusiasm that we corporately declared “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy”.
Our corporate repentance focused on the failure of the Church in the past and how it has allowed our God given authority to be hijacked by ideologies and false covenants, to become subservient to secular powers and that we had misused Christ’s authority and holy name. Many got on their knees as we sang “We bow down and confess You are Lord in this place”. Having done this we rose and made a corporate declaration of our desire to see our politicians blessed with, among other things, the fear of the Lord and that they would become peacemakers and be used to bring healing to our land.
As worship leader Roo Stewart sang, “Lord Turn Your Footsteps towards this Nation” impacting visuals and statistics were used to introduce a section that focused on praying into three issues affecting communities and families throughout Northern Ireland – suicide, violence and caring for the elderly. It was very moving to hear the hubbub of heart felt prayer as people prayed in groups made up of three or four.
It was also a privilege at the end to be able to represent the broader church in declaring hope for 2008 over our families, churches, communities and nation using the Hope 08 Declaration. A specially commissioned candle of Hope made by Benedictine Monks in Rostrevor was lit at the conclusion of our meeting to mark this declaration and everyone was encouraged to pray for and bless one another.
Our time together finished as we sang “In Christ Alone our Hope is Found”.
We are still in awe of having had this amazing God given and timely opportunity to gather from across our different backgrounds and expressions of church to give thanks, to worship and to pray in our seat of government.
Feedback Report by Margaret Clarke, Transformations Ireland.
