CHIC Launches 24/7 Prayer Initiative

CHICAGO, IL (September 13, 2005) - Covenanters across the country this week began taking part in a prayer movement to pray for CHIC 2006 and other needs for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the culmination of CHIC 2006 next July.

Thousands of young people will once again converge on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville from July 16-21 next year. The current prayer emphasis is intended to engage individuals in local churches, affiliated institutions and various Covenant ministries in prayerful support of this major youth endeavor, as well as other needs, including victims of Hurricane Katrina and those volunteers who are striving to assist them.

An online registry has been created by the CHIC Council that tracks all of the weeks from now until the end of July 2006. The intent is to secure commitments from local churches for each of the weeks, so that on any given week until the end of next July, at least one church somewhere in North America is praying for that entire week in a prayer room established by that congregation.

Local church youth leaders are encouraged to register churches for one week of 24-hour, non-stop prayer, says Kjersten Jennings, CHIC administrative assistant. Churches are asked to set aside a room, designing that space to encourage an experience of prayer that involves all of the senses.

Church pastors desiring to register for the CHIC 24/7 prayer initiative may do so by visiting Prayer Registry. Other online resources containing "how to" tips, will be found at the end of this article. Resources also may be accessed on the CHIC website as well as the Covenant website (using the special 24-7 Prayer link on the home page).

The prayer initiative joins the 24-7 prayer movement begun in 1999 in Chichester, England, that has expanded to include thousands of churches in more than 50 countries. One of those churches, Deerbrook Covenant Church in Lees Summit, Missouri, was the featured cover story in the February 2005 issue of The Covenant Companion (see link to that story below). The church, which created a uniquely interesting prayer room, already has registered to pray during the week of September 18-25, which marks the one-year anniversary of that church starting its own prayer room.

Many churches began praying this past Sunday noon and will continue through next Sunday at noon, Jennings says. By asking churches to register for prayer times, CHIC organizers can help ensure that every minute of every day is covered with prayer. Jennings adds that although she hopes churches will sign up for a week, they are encouraged to register for whatever period they can, even if it is just a day.

She adds that although the 24-7 prayer initiative provides an opportunity for demonstrating commitment, even more importantly it is a time for people to draw closer to God. "This movement is not so much about being in prayer, but rather about taking time to sit and be in the presence of God," Jennings says. "It's all about discovering the true heart of God. This experience is an invitation rather than a challenge."

Setting aside a special room in the church or another place to which all people can come and pray is important, Jennings says. Community is built and greater encouragement is developed as people come to the same location. And, the space can be designed in ways that encourage focused prayer - maps identifying needs for different countries, prayer requests for individuals or areas of ministry, and photos of those involved in mission and ministry.

One prayer room example is at Evangelical Covenant Church offices in Chicago, where staff members are praying this week in a space normally used each week for chapel services (see accompanying photos). The area was redesigned for the 24-7 prayer initiative. Lighting is muted - "quiet and reflective, giving one the sense of entering sacred space," one staff member commented. There is a large cross in the center. Fabric was creatively draped to create a sense of defined space in an otherwise large area. There is simulated candlelight, soft background music, two large paintings of Jesus, a CHIC display, and a large map of the world with stick pins identifying each area of shared Covenant ministry. And, there is a common prayer journal with each participant encouraged to jot down some impression or reflection of their experience.

A DVD has been sent to all Covenant churches that further explains the movement. Youth pastors are encouraged to show it to their congregations. For more information, call Jennings at 773-583-0220 or email her at kjersten.jennings@covchurch.org.

To access additional resources, visit one of the following links:

home | email to a friend
print this page | site map

Share this page on facebook

News Comments