Prayer @ a Presbyterian Church

I went to both the 11am and the 7pm service yesterday at Fisherwick Presbyterian (there's a picture below of the church), and I have never seen such strong commitment to the ministry of prayer and an openness to the direction of the Spirit in a Presbyterian church. John Lenschow and I both commented that it was something one would only see in a charismatic church in the US.

However, it was really responsibly handled and, for me at least, exciting to see that this church with such great a history is desirous of and open to the Spirit being alive and moving in their body today. The first service had a prayer team beforehand praying. After his sermon, the pastor mentioned four people (not by name, but rather by a characteristic - depression or a certain image) that the Spirit had laid on the prayer team's heart and a word of encouragement for them. Then, in the night service with young adults, it ended in prayer with the pastor and the prayer team going around the room, laying hands on, and praying for each of the individuals.

I was really impressed and encouraged by it. Evidently, prayer is a passion of Pastor Derek's. It was definitely a great first Sunday in N. Ireland.