Life Changing Moments

Carla Harding, July 26th, 2010

Something happens when God's people get together; the creator of the universe shows up.  Crazier still if we listen, He speaks!  What happens next, how we respond is then up to us...

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20  

So many significant moments in my life have happened at gatherings of the 24-7 Prayer tribes.  At IAM5 in 2005 (the fifth Birthday celebration of the movement) I started dating this funny, kind and interesting young man called Stephen Harding.   At the International Leader’s Gathering (2006 in London) I hung out with our international family as Miss Carla Trundle for the last time (can’t believe I organised a Wedding and a conference at the same time).  Then in 2008 I had one of the doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo (said in a spooky sing-song voice) moments when I asked God whether He wanted me involved in 24-7 Prayer for the long haul only to have someone turned around the next day with one of the clearest answers to a question God has ever given me… it was like the person God was using had read my journal… obviously they hadn’t… and of course the answer was ‘yes’ (I’m still here).  God has consistently inspired, challenged and motivated me when I've spent time with Him alongside hundreds of others who's lives have been affected by exploring a lifestyle of prayer, mission and justice.

I lost count of the number of times I've been moved to tears in prayer, by the generosity of the whole gathering towards someone in need, the testimony of someone blown away by Jesus' love and an overwhelming sense that we're not in this alone.  It would be impossible to estimate the number of times I've rolled around laughing at unbelievable stories of the divinely comical, at the over-enthusiasm of so many at our annual competitions and auctions, and over cups of tea, glasses of wine or a good meal with friends I've just made form a different part of the world.  Uniting around prayer, to the only one worth praying to, brings together such a diverse bunch of brothers and sisters from this big family we call the Church.  I guess from my experience I no longer see each gathering as a conference, but I anticipate with relish every international get together because of the opportunity it presents…

What will happen this time?

It's a dangerous thing to turn up at a gathering of the saints.  At just one 24-7 gathering a few years back God brought Dan Jones, the guy who's led 24-7's Transit course for the last few years in the UK, to serve the movement.  At the same time He connected the Bower family into a myriad of friendships and sent them around the continent of Europe as 24-7 pilgrims, today Scot is the editor of this very site.  Not satsfied to stop there, at the very same gathering, a couple called Brian and Tracy Heasely shared that God had called them to establish a missional 24-7 community on the party island of Ibiza and were prayed for and commisioned... From their courage and the sacrifice of their family and the others that have joined them  24-7 Ibiza was born and has been loving the residents and holiday makers on the White Isle ever since. 

This was just one gathering... these are only the three people I know about...

This why I always arrive expectant.  We have a Father who is eager to be involved and to see His kingdom established in the earth.  His track record always prompts me to wonder what is God going to say to us this time?  How will I walk out different?  I guess Dan, the Bowers and the Heasleys suggest thatit’s not just me… others have met their future spouses, been called to move countries, started pioneering communities, prayed night and day, gotten fuelled up for the gospel and changed the direction of their life in big ways and small.  As we have met, worshipped, prayed, discussed, ate, drank and made merry; new friendships have been formed and dreams birthed.  

Let me be clear.  There's nothing unusual or mystical about 24-7 gatherings.  It's the God we worship who loves our unity, prayer and passion I'm excited to see.  

Right now a lot of my working week is taken up by preparing for our next 24-7 get together.  ‘Magnify’ is the next 24-7 Prayer International Gathering and it’s happening from 16th – 18th September in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Practically what that looks like for me is lots of phone calls, emails and brain-storming sessions to arrange speakers, worship bands, décor, tours of the city, ceilidh’s, 24-3 Prayer Rooms and more.  But with each administrative task a great big welcome is being formed, a moment is being shaped when people from the UK, US, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Switzerland, South Africa, Brazil, India, New Zealand and many more nations will make their way by plane, train and automobile to be with each other and God.  It makes every long working day and unexpected challenge incredibly worth it.

Have you been to a 24-7 gathering before?  Maybe in your nation or continent?  I'd love to hear how God used it in your life.  Send me an email or maybe tweet, blog or Facebook post about it.  There's so much more to being together than just a program or a great location...

I don’t want anyone to miss out… You should come!

All the info for Magnify can be found be found here.  If you’ve not been to a 24-7 gathering before you are very welcome.  There’s always a mixture of new faces in amongst the usual suspects and it’s a great place to be if you’re interested in kick starting the prayer life of your church, new forms of Christian community/Boiler Rooms or how we can tackle injustice throughout the earth.  If there is someone you think would benefit from being there then spread the word with these handy banners, thumbnails, flyers and info.  I’d love the invitation to go as far and wide as possible. Download and go wild.   

Prayer has taken us to some incredible places and I can’t wait to see where else there is to go...  See you in Edinburgh!