Amazed & Confused

London Calling...

Yesterday the 24-7 Office was a buzz with note taking, database sifting and phones ringing. Dan, Lottie, Toggers, Wardy and I undertook the challenge of calling as many 24-7 supporters as we possibly could in one day... all to say a big THANK YOU!  The lovely men and women who given financially to 24-7, have supported the movement in an important way throughout the last decade.  Each and every person is an incredibly vital part of all we do.  

Having our leaders down tools for a day to call all of them may have taken a lot of organisation but it was certainly worth it.  There were a lot of nerves (we would be rubbish telesales people), some competition: "I've spoken to three people." "I've spoken to six", many answering machine messages and lots of emails saying "Hi, tried to get hold of you but thought I'd write my thanks instead."  The only disappointment was realising how many supporters we don't have phone numbers for... If you're one I'm sorry I didn't get to say 'hi'.  

Hmmm... though... if you are a 24-7 supporter (or want to become one) and you're reading this why not email me your phone number and I promise we'll call.  What could be more enjoyable than a little natter over a hot beverage of your choice about the things God's been up to and a personal invite to next year's Birthday celebrations?  (carla.harding@24-7prayer.com)

21 Days...

21 Days for Global Harvest from SVM2 on Vimeo.

I come across a lot of campaigns working within 24-7 Prayer... This week, this one caught my eye... xc

Talking About a Revolution

Everywhere I go, the topic of conversation is the same... whether I'm hanging out with friends in the 24-7 office, Guildford bowling green or a stone's throw from the red light district in Amsterdam... whether I'm talking to my hubby over tea or gathering with my church community for prayer and worship... everyone wants the same thing...

The presence of God

I can't get away from it.  It's like it's being broadcast subliminally to all the followers of Jesus I know...  Programs, roles, rotas, jobs, friendships, targets, holidays, anniversaries, information, confirmation, incarnation... it all means little without the presence of Jesus...

"Well if your not really here, then I don't want to be either, I want to be next to you..."
Sam Sparro, Black & Gold

Sometimes God whispers, other times I think He shouts, right now I'd have to be deaf not to hear the hunger... "Spend time with me... revolve... return to the beginning to my original call... reconnect with me... remain.. remain..."

It's even on the X-Factor.  As Robbie Williams launched himself back into the media and minds of the British population I give my head a shake certain I'd mis-heard his lyric... but there it was again,

"Jesus really died for me.  Jesus really died for me."
Robbie Williams, Bodies

"I tell you... if they stay quiet, the stones will cry out."
Luke 19:40

So on day 14 of the 40 days of prayer the Revelation community is in together I'm hearing Him loud and clear.  "Don't tire, don't waver, remain in me."

I'm glad He cares enough to remind me.  It's sad I still need it.

Two Videos That Bring a Smile to My Face...

Two videos have crossed my to do list this week and both have brought a smile to my face for different reasons.  The first is an answer to prayer in the shape of a fourth floor office space in the centre of London for the 24-7 team!  We are no longer homeless, hurrah!  Our lovely general manager Pete Ward made a video to give our scattered staff a virtual tour.  The second film was one I watched first over a year ago I think.  It's a beautiful and creative explanation of why we pray 24-7 made by the very talented Bryan Hicks in the USA.  I've just posted it to the 24-7 YouTube channel for everyone to enjoy... xc

24-7 Has Left the Building

If you're reading this on FaceBook then the YouTube link is here.

Pete Greig: Call to Gather for Europe!

For those reading this on Facebook click here to see Pete's video... 

Wed 1st Jul: A Day of Prayer for 24-7

I have a big smile on my face today and it’s not just because it’s sunny.  In the last week I have received reports from prayer rooms in China, Russia and the Philippines of faith being strengthened, of an eight month 24-7 that’s still going strong and of a teenager who walked into a prayer room and gave his life to Jesus!  God is good, He’s doing good things and He’s still involving us in making them happen.  I love this movement. 

As we approach 24-7 Prayer's tenth Birthday we’ve been looking at the vision God’s set before us for the next decade.  As we aim to build the Kingdom by growing missional communities locally and facilitating prayer globally we know there will be a cost.  We’re doing lots of sensible, practical things to make sure we wisely prioritise the resources God’s given us and to generate more, but through it all we still feel that prayer is essential.  Bringing our needs before God is absolutely vital and must work hand in hand with all our stewardship efforts.

So I’m emailing you today to ask you to join us in prayer.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 1st of July

The 24-7 Family will be having a day of prayer and fasting 

Wherever you are if you’re able to join us we would very much value your prayers for:

1. God’s specific provision of £40,000 by this autumn to invest into resources generation for the international movement
2. God’s provision of an extra £400,000 in the coming year to invest into the next ten years of following God.
3. God’s provision for all areas and aspects of the 24-7 movement (finance, workers for the harvest and buildings)
4. Churches, cities, campuses and communities to continue to be impacted by prayer-centred life. 

If you’re unable to pray with us tomorrow then we’d appreciate any prayers prayed over the coming month!  If you also feel moved to become part of the provision any one off donation or monthly support for the 24-7 Prayer movement would be greatly appreciated.

Susanna's Discipleship PrayerCast

Today's PrayerCast comes from Thun, Switzerland from one of my favourite people and long-standing role model Susanna Rychiger.  I know Susanna practices what she preaches which makes her passionate challenge all the more impacting... xc

Brian Heasley from 24-7 Ibiza leads the prayers for Europe today...

Today's PrayerCast: End People Trafficking

I was really moved when I was editing this prayer cast this morning.  I can't believe it happens within this continent!  I've been adding my amen this morning.

Today it's my turn...

A Government in Crisis

It was amazing to pray in and around the Westminster Palace yesterday.  This week is the 24-7 Prayer week for British Parliament and as only God could orchestrate it, the prayer week falls at an incredible time of turmoil.  I was there yesterday to pray and to film today's 24-7 PrayerCast.  It was amazing to film inside an MP's office and walk the halls of a government that are truly transforming.  Check out the prayer cast and add your amen!

24-7 Prayer Cast: Andy Freeman Prays for Euro Government

I love Andy and his passion for engaging with and praying for government.  Can't think of anyone better to do this PrayerCast.

Spread the Word: Pray for Europe!

I filmed this little gem with Pete in Reading this week and I am unbelievably excited about the potential prayer we could stir up for the continent this week.  We'll have Andy Freeman leading us in prayer for the European election results, David Landrum talking about the state of the British parliament right now and Emma Brown talking about the significance of Obama's speach in Cairo and Europe's unique opportunity with the Middle East.  It's going to be amazing!  Subscribe to the YouTube Channel, iTunes will be up and running shortly or just keep an eye on the 24-7 website.  More info here :)

More of the BCDO

Videos of the Big Church Day Out are popping up all over You Tube.  My particular favourite is this fantastic little phone vid capturing the crowd surfing mayor.  It was a bit weird realising that it's existence and the prayer surfing itself has become speculation for the national press.  I just uploaded a 24-7 blog story about it and a summary of the event on the 24-7 international site. All good fun.  I did get a little scared today though when I realised that the whole day will be televised on God TV in June 14th.  Gulp - never fun to see yourself on telly... xc

Snapshots from Kansas City

Smiley happy faces after steak and jazz at the Majestic in KC...

Crowd surfing prayer at the Kansas City Boiler Room...

Anna and Emily prepare a gorgeous breakfast for the 24-7 crew...

Lovely to meet Chris Jones's other half the lovely Kathryn...

It was lovely to see the wise Peter Stanley interacting with more of the 24-7 community...

I got to hang out with some amazing women during my trip like Susanna and Terri...  Unfortunately I was so busy I didn't take many more photos.  To see the album in it's entirety pop over to my Facebook page. xc 

A Journey's End

A journey never really feels over until I open my journal.  Even though I've been home a day now it wasn't until I gathered the scraps of paper and fabric that symbolised different parts of my journey and filled a few more pages of my nearly finished journal did I feel like my Kansas City adventure was behind me... 

My boarding cards - lovely peaceful journeys full of productive work time, movies (Reader *****, Changeling ***, Frost/Nixon ****) and books (nearly finished and absolutely LOVING Tom Wright's commentary on 1 Corinthians).  

A welcome card from the Kansas City Boiler Room Community - what an incredible bunch of people.  They're maturity and knowledge and passion for God inspire me every time I'm with them.  This trip was no exception - it was a delight to join them at one of their main gatherings and see how the community is growing.   

I didn't stick it in my journal (obviously) but our snazzy little 24-7 USB sticks which to me symbolise months of dreaming and scheming.  Why are you dreaming about a USB device you may wonder... well I haven't really - it's what's on them I've loved.  24-7 grows so fast that better equipping and training our prayer leaders in each national team has really weighed on my mind.  Along with my team I've been condensing years of experience resourcing 24-7 Prayer into a training strategy and block of free resources.  The idea is we don't do it all the same, but that we adapt the best from our brothers and sisters around the globe to see prayer spread in our nation.  Susanna Rychiger and I had two fantastic days with Kathryn Hawkins who currently heads up prayer in the US and Daria Tomiuk who's championing 24-7 like crazy in Canada.  Firstly - wow - what fantastic women.  I absolutely LOVED hanging out with them.  They were great.  We had a brilliant time sharing experience, challenges and questions and as we explored everything we'd prepared and it was so satisfying to see real value in training and equipping them.

Food - the photo above is of a gorgeous breakfast that the lovely Anna Walker and household prepared for us.  In fact the KC community were incredibly hospitable and most meals were eaten at one house or another as different Boiler Room members welcomed us to their nation.  Particular highlights include BBQs, the breakfast I've already mentioned and the most fantastic steak and live Jazz at the Majestic... yum, yum...

This leads me quite nicely onto how the USA rated on my infalable system of judgement... (for those of you who haven't heard me speak about this before let me state that it is ironic ;)

Criteria 1: Do I eat well?

Answer 1: Yes!  For all the reasons stated above (though I did feast on brown rice and veg when I got home)

Criteria 2: Did I sleep well?

Answer 2: Yes! Thank you Thad's for your kind hospitality!

Criteria 3: Does my hair look good here?

Answer 3: For the non-curly among you this may seem like an odd question... the truth is things like water softness and humidity affect how nicely your hair curls.  Thankfully, despite a few muggy days, my hair pretty much rocked ;)

Criteria 4: Am I funny here?

Answer 4:  I had my moments (the English gifts story being a particular highlight)

So all in all the USA, and Kansas City more specifically, rate highly in my scientific system of assessment.  I had a fantastic time and was a little sad I couldn't bring Steve and all my friends with me to enjoy it... xc

I'm still alive...

...and having a fantastic time in Kansas City Missouri.  It's been a busy week but very productive week with strategic meetings, inspiring conversations, great Whisky, much to mull over and lots of prayer.  Can't ask for more really... oh apart from Steve being here to share the most delicious steak I have ever eaten with me.  I have another day before I jump on a plane back to England and hope to spend it engaging in some super important stuff with some inspiring women.  More when I'm back on my side of the pond. cx

Sssssshhhhhh!

I have an idea.  How much money would you give me to be silent... totally silent for say 24 hours?  Let me clarify.  I'm mean no speaking, no phones, no internet (blogging, twittering, facebooking), no writing, no music, no TV... total silence for 24 hours.  'Why do this?' I hear you cry... well to raise money so more people will use their voices...

Regular readers (and good friends) will be aware of my near constant references to the global, Christian movement I'm a part of called 24-7 Prayer.  If you're a Christian reading this you may have even met me through this weird and wonderful community of people giving their lives to equip others in prayer, mission and justice.  If you wouldn't call yourself a Christian you may have been utterly baffled by my job and are a little uncertain why it deserves a few of your hard earned pounds.  Well... here is why prayer rocks...

For those of the faith in Jesus persuasion... I'm preaching to the choir.  There are a dozen quotes from the Bible and from the heros of our faith that eloquently sum up why it's important to stay connected to our God, learning to love Him and those around us, but I'm gonna go with the one I read this morning... words from the big man himself... "Abide in me, and I will abide in you..."  Forget the fruit of prayer for a moment (answers, growth, gifts, impact on us and the world around us) this is an amazing place to start...  Problem is, if your anything like me and most of my friends prayer doesn't always come naturally.  There are many preconceptions and much intimidation built up around conversation with our Father, so 24-7 is here to brush that aside, present a fresh way to explore prayer and then challenge everyone to act when God speaks back.  For a funky little video explanation checkout Prayer as Movement.

For those not of the faith in Jesus persuasion... Prayer may seem pointless if you're not sure you believe in the person at the end of the line.  The amazing thing is though, great stuff comes out of a place of prayer.  People I know who've prayed believe God has motivated them to work alongside authorities battling human trafficking in the UK, Macedonia and the USA to name but a few.  Others have moved to other countries like the community in Ibiza who look after clubbers with their aptly named 'vomit van' scraping them off the streets and ferrying them home or to the hospital (check out Prayer as Mission).  I've met people who's entire lives have changed direction and now they're all about looking after the women and their children involved in the sex industry in Mexico (see the amazing film Prayer as Justice) or the homeless men and women that populate the streets of their city.  You don't have to be a Christian to care about people... but there's something about believing that God wants you to love the people around you that breaks down class, cultural, financial or geographical divides and motivates people to do something about the rubbish stuff our world is filled with.

So... this is my idea: sponsor me to raise money for 24-7 Prayer. 

I will give up my voice...

So that others are encouraged to use theirs...

I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Do I need a greater challenge?  Is this something you would sponsor?  Your thoughts in the comments would be much appreciated. xc

Come on 100!

Drum roll please... after a little updating and number crunching 24-7 Prayer has now had over six thousand three hundred 24-7 Prayer Rooms in over 96 different nations!  New nations this year include Albania, Dominica, Moldova, Turkey, Jamaica and Togo.  Awesome eh?  I thought I'd been chatting to people from places I'd never heard from before but I hadn't realised that we were growing so fast, that's more than a nation a month.  It may just be a person here and a small cluster of churches there but the challenge of extreme prayer is spreading.  Come on 100... xc

Wild Goose Wanted

I am thinking about working with a Wild Goose next year... I don't mean that I'm considering taking up ornithology or building a bird coop in the back garden... I'm considering offering to take on an intern who wants to take a year to go on a unique journey of mentoring, shadowing, teaching and time within the inner workings of 24-7 Prayer.  I've been watching the fabulous Emma Nicholson shadow Phil Togwell this year and have loved to see how she's served and blossomed under Phil's gentle guidance.  Plus she's just an absolutely fabulous young woman!  I may not have gotten to see that if she weren't there alongside me in the London Office.  She's been such a massive blessing to us and I think Phil has been a big blessing to her too.  

I started thinking about my next year and how many exciting projects and trips I'm getting stuck in with and I thought... "Hmmm... I think I would enjoy shadowing me this year."  A lot of what it takes to encourage and resource a movement of prayer internationally is a lot of typing, skyping and saying big cyber 'Hi's. I can't think of anything more dull for someone following me around... but this year the faithful plod is interspersed with projects, trips, training and new ventures... plus maybe I should give out some of the invaluable mentoring I have received from so many friends and leaders in this movement.  I think I might chat to Toggers about it some more... xc

Creativity, Beauty and Prayer

I've kicked off my writing week on the 24-7 blog.  Check out this article on the fantastic creativity and colour that one group of Slovakian Christians have poured into their 24-7 Prayer Room.  It's very inspiring, I absolutely love it... reminds me of the Cathedrals we used to build to honour God or the Spirit infused craftsman that created such beauty for the Tabernacle (Ex 31).  I love it when people pour their best into time with God and reflect His creativity back at Him.  I think this Prayer Room made Him smile... xc

Big Church Day Out

You might have already heard about this, but 24-7 Prayer are joining up with Delirious? and a huge list of other friends for a one-day festival on Sunday 24th May - called the Big Church Day Out - on the incredibly beautiful Wiston House Estate, West Sussex.

From 2.30pm in the afternoon until 10pm late that night, there will be a whole variety of experiences for all the family... with worship bands and speakers, fun stuff for children and activities for young people, an acoustic cafe and other food venues, and our very own 24-7prayer chapel.

Charlottie-to-Hottie Terris and her small team have been dreaming up all kinds of creative ideas to turn the 700 year-old Wiston chapel into a beautiful prayer room, based around the Lord's Prayer. It's all very exciting. Tim Jupp, from Delirious, said that the prayer room should become the focus as the day progresses... prayer for the area, and for our nation. It was great to chat with Tim at a Wedding on Monday and see the passion and enthusiasm he has for the event.  Already churches have been buying blocks of tickets and booking coaches for the day... up to 10,000 people are expected. For more information, and for tickets, you can click across to the website.  I'll see you there.

Drum Roll Please...

Presenting the new 24-7 Prayer International website!  Doesn't it look fab?  It's much cleaner and clearer than it's older incarnation, and information can be found in logical places.  This is the fruit of over a year's hard work and I have to take my hat off to the guys at Worthers.com for the ninja web skills.  Click the image above to see the real thing.  

A Day of Industry

I find myself really looking forward to our 24-7 team mornings each month.  I get to hang out with lovely people I normally only see at gatherings or on a video call, get some inspiration from some wise minds, and hear about all the fantastic things we're up to together. Yesterday's gathering was phenomenal.  So much is happening, it was great to take some time out to pray together about it all.  As we broke at one, I rushed off to a nearby cafe to sign off on the new international website, it's super exciting keep your eyes peeled to see the change in the next few days.  Jonny and Worthers have worked so hard and our new online presence is a massive step forward :) From that meeting I rushed back to a meeting of the international leadership team and heard about very exciting happenings accross the globe as well as some significant challenges for the months ahead.  A shortish journey home (watching Entourage, which is such a bloke's program) and I was rushing home, bolting down dinner and then trying to sing at a DeLoreans rehearsal with a belly full of Chinese.  Not the easiest thing in the world.  Needless to say I slept really well last night!  This morning... well it's 11:37 and I still can't seem to think straight.  It's like my brain's still protesting about the clocks going forward.  Ah well, early nights for the rest of the week.  I need to be able to think straight on Sunday... xc

My Favourite Photo From a 24-7 Prayer Room This Week

Isn't this amazing. I just received this photo with a whole bunch of others from a 24-7 Prayer Room in Slovakia.  I love the clarity and colour, it's so vivid.  This station would definitely give me pause for thought in an hour with God.

Peace at the Carnival

Every now and then I get a story from a 24-7 Prayer Room that makes me particularly smile.  It might be a dramatic answer to prayer or just the enthusiasm of the person I'm chatting too from the other side of the world.  This week my favourite email was from Trina in Brazil.  The story will be going live on the 24-7 site in the next week so I guess this is a bit of an exclusive.  I think these guys are amazing and this story shows you don't have to be big and flashy to make a difference...

“We really enjoyed praying!” Writes Trina from Brazil.  “Our church is tiny so it was pretty incredible that we managed to fill all 24 hours but people were wonderful.  On average, each person gave around 5 - 6 hours of his or her time to prayer.  The youth were the most incredible; they wanted to carry on once we finished.  Some of them were trembling with the power of God and one young man says that for some reason, the extended prayer has simply given him a new perspective, a new way of being in life.  That is so precious.

Our city is a violent one in the state of Rio de Janeiro.  Normally during the Carnival period there are many deaths here.  When I felt God put 24-7 prayer on my heart for the start of carnival, I felt as if we were being given a commission, a watch for the city.

We prayed over the previous week’s newspaper, which was full of stories about assaults and deaths, and asked the Lord that the following newspaper would be free of all that stuff.  Incredibly it was! 

No one died during this Carnival! 

The headlines were something about how quiet the Carnival period was. We are so grateful to God!  Sadly, as soon as carnival finished we had a number of shootings and violent deaths nearby.   Though that doesn't detract from the prayers that were answered it brought home to us that prayer is so needed here.  We will definitely be doing another 24-hour prayer session, probably around Easter time.”

Twittering Away

Sooo I'm a Twitter virgin and I'm not entirely sold on the concept but I thought I'd let everyone know that I'm diving in in an impersonal with the new 24-7 Prayer Twitter.  Follow the happenings of 24-7 Prayer internationally with the latest tid bits of news before anyone else hears them and prayer requests as they happen.  If I get into it I may set one up of my own but I've heard it's frighteningly addictive!?!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered...

Today the 24-7 team is printing, folding, stuffing envelopes and sticking stamps all in an effort so send some super encouraging stories to all the amazing people who support 24-7 Prayer financially.  As I took my turn in the proof reading duties yesterday I was blown away by how much God has done in the last year.  We have sooo much to be thankful for: prophetic promptings that lead to churches planted, a Prayer Room in Bagdad, a global explosion of prayer, people saved and lives changed.  Amazing.  I am chuffed for the people who are going to be getting this booklet of sunshine through their doors in the next few days.  What a privilege it is to send them such good news... and a nice new copy of Relevant magazine just to celebrate that we're the feature.  So where ever you are, you people who make it possible for 24-7 to happen, I really hope you enjoy this! xc

From Somewhere in Surrey...

Today I am somewhere in the middle of nowhere at a beautiful home with the International Team of 24-7 Prayer.  We're meeting to talk and pray about all the life and challenges within the movement and to look ahead at 2009.  I'm gonna miss Mr Brian Heasley who is absent for a super exciting reason... the 24-7 Ibiza team are moving into their Farm today!  The meeting will be quieter and not quite so much fun without him.  If you're of the praying to Jesus persuasion please do pop a few up for us: wisdom would be very helpful. xc

Living on a Prayer

Seen the front cover of Relevant magazine this month?  The feature story is all about the 24-7 Prayer Movement and the vision of Campus America!  Hurrah!  Spread the word you lovely publishing people.  Campus America is one of the most exciting visions to come out of 24-7 in a few years (and that's saying something when you work with this many visionaries)!  Get your copy of Relevant and check out the Campus America website to find out more... They almost make us look slick!  Miracles happen in 2009 :) xc

God Was Busy in 2008

I've just finished my favourite job of the year.  I've being going back through all my correspondence with people praying round the world in 24-7 Prayer Rooms and pulled out a selection of prayers and stories to make everyone smile.  A much larger selection is available in an article I've just uploaded to the 24-7 Prayer International site but here are a few of my favourites...

Philippines>>> “This is life changing for me. I have been praying and fasting for years but none of it can compare to praying 24-7.”

New Zealand>>> “Greig rang the office to have an urgent prayer request put in the prayer room for his sister who had just had a baby and was bleeding dangerously.  From his own knowledge as a doctor, Greig knew that the condition she had was usually fatal…  Not only did she recover, but she had an encounter with God through it all.  As soon as she opened her eyes she apologised to family members from whom she had been estranged and there was an amazing reconciliation in the family!  Isn’t God amazing!”

Australia>>> “Our prayer room has now been operating for nearly 18 months and God has been so awesome in His continuous answers to prayer and many, many blessings!  Our prayer room is a shop front that we rent and is operated by the combined churches in our community, which is situated in a very troubled neighbourhood… We have seen about 6 people come to faith this year and have had reports of a number of healings.  We continue to marvel at the impact of the prayer room when the churches of our community come together in prayer!”

UK>>> “We are still covering three days a month… every hour is filled now its flowing well.  It took a bit of perseverance and God’s grace!  We have recently seen a lady get out of the wheel chair, and another throw away her crutches. Another had an inoperable cancer disappear.  All verified by the medical people. It’s in direct relationship to the 24-7 prayer.”

Australia>>> “A couple of months ago, a young lady who has a drug addiction wandered into the Thrift Shop next door wanting to turn her life around.  Deb, the shop manager, began building a relationship with her and God gave Deb an opportunity to speak into her life.  Just before Christmas Deb was able to invite the lady into the 24/7 Prayer Room for prayer and the next day she came back into the shop all excited because she had given her life to Jesus!  God is transforming her life and she is making positive steps to overcome her addictions.”

Uganda>>> “Praise the Lord. Thank you for 24 Prayer it works and has worked for us... In our prayers the lord revealed to us an island without the Church and yesterday the island was found and 50 people got saved and church is planted because of prayer... The island is called Kacunga… I have just come back from there and the fellowship is so strong... [Kacunga] has no power, school [or] hospital and 99% are HIV/AIDS victims but prayers are making a difference. The island is on Lake Victoria in [the] Kalanga district… their occupation is fishing. I am blessed to carry on Jesus’ ministry of raising fishermen from fishing to fishers of men”

It is an amazing priviledge to be a part of 24-7 Prayer and hear about all these amazing lives being changes.  I've printed these little snapshots and stuck them in my journal.  If I am ever in doubt of the nature of our God, reading these paints a pretty clear picture... xc 

24-7: Enlarge Your Tents

"Clear lots of ground for your tents! 

   Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!

Use plenty of rope, 

   drive the tent pegs deep.

You're going to need lots of elbow room 

   for your growing family.

You're going to take over whole nations; 

   you're going to resettle abandoned cities."  Isaiah 54:2-3 (MSG)

These are the verses that Pete Greig read at the open of our prayer morning yesterday in Guildford.  The ensuing three hours with 24-7 friends were the most encouraging of 2009 so far (I suspect it would take something particularly spectacular to knock from the top spot in the next six months).  Any of you who've spent any time around the 24-7 Prayer family will know that though God has spread the movement far, we are a very small and disparate bunch of people helping to coordinate the Holy chaos.  It's rare that lots of us can gather in one place but this is set to change somewhat here in the UK this year.  The people who are vocationally committed to 24-7 are being invited to gather monthly to share our encouragements, challenges and to pray together.  Yesterday was our first gathering and it was absolutely awesome.  "Enlarge your tents..." said God... those words from Isaiah still mulling around in my head 24 hours later.  Enlarge... wow, it's all pretty large already!  Interestingly though I've been mulling over ways in which we could open our hands even further and give away even more in prayer... Brian Heasley's word before Christmas about upending bottles to let things flow faster, my own practical thoughts and the words of Isaiah are colliding in my busy mind firing off ideas.  I think 2009 will see interesting change and yes even more enlargement... Hehe, sounds like fun xc

Campus America: The Time is Now

I watched a draft of this film at a technical rehearsal during the 24-7 Home gathering.  As I stood at the back of a massive meeting room leaning against a wall and taking a breather from the joys and strains of event management I was moved to tears by what I saw.  Undoubtedly Bob Jobe is a gifted documentarian and unequivocally the Campus America vision is very exciting and very much from God. This film and passion and people behind it are so impacting that it captured even my frazzled mind and gave be fresh hope and fresh energy even in the midst of the practical and mundane.  Check out the feature story in Relevant magazine and the Campus America website for more. It's gonna be an exciting year... xc

Short but Sweet

If you're yet to have the pleasure can I introduce you to the 24-7 Shorts.  Five mini documentaries that introduce the cyber-world to slices of life within the 24-7 Prayer movement.  Until now they've only been accessible to Rewind (24-7's E-Newsletter) recipients but now they're out there, open wide for everyone to enjoy.

Sometimes I struggle to define 24-7 to people who ask me what I do.  How do you summarise so much Holy, colourful, crazy, fun mess in a sound bite?   I fail, miserably, every time.  The phrase "but it's also like..." gets repeated ad nausium as I give example after example of the places prayer takes you.  The Shorts are my life saver.  Want to know why I spend all my life sitting behind a computer encouraging people all round the world to pray?  Click here, meet some of my friends and find out why... xc

Blast From My Photo Past

Today we are reveling in the invention that is the portable heater in 24-7 Prayer's new London Basement lair.  Our last few weeks here as a team have been decidedly chilly as we've opened boxes and discovered filing we might have been ignoring for the last few years.  As I nosed through one such pile sitting by my desk I found a stack of old photos amongst miscellaneous stationary.  My mouth fell open at the sight of my younger self dressed as a monk with a lip ring!  These photos were taken after one of my trips to Ibiza which means it was either 2001 or 2002, I was a weenie little fresh faced student.  Look how great my hair is!  Right that's it.  If I can find a way to use fake hair for the DeLoreans I'm cutting it all off again!  This particular photo escapade was an attempt to be organised and come up with some copyright free images for some of our first ever 24-7 Newsletters.  Bizarre to think how long ago that was and how far we've come.  iStock photos are much more convenient but how much fun would it be to run out and do a photo shoot each week for every article we write for the site.  It could be Be-Kind-Rewind style photo mock up madness!  xc

Big Change for 24-7

Last week I hinted towards a big change for 24-7 Prayer International and UK that was both sad and full of hope for new opportunities.  That change is... the loss of the basement that hosts the City of London Boiler Room and the UK and International Offices :(  An incredibly generous Christian Business man gave us the space to host a prayer room, meeting rooms, all our merchandise and resources, our offices, an art room and a dreamed of future Boiler Room community in the heart of the City.  That (at times damp, mouse infested, though greatly loved) basement held great significance for us as we discovered it was also the site of Wesley's foundry and he probably preached right where we meet (though the building was probably quite different).  Our base on the corner of Worship and Tabernacle street seemed eerily fitting for an international prayer movement concerned about the poor.  Did something go wrong?  Did we not seize some opportunity we could have?  I don't know but I can't help wondering...

Practically we're not leaving because we did anything bad.  There's a very practical business reason why the part of the company that owns that particular building is closing down and all within her are shipping out.  The generosity of our good friend within the company is continuing as they immediately offered us many alternatives to make our new home and that's where my curiosity and hope is peaked.  Where might we end up?  Which location around London could we choose?  Who will we meet when we get there?  Where will be working, laughing and praying next?  I guess I might find out on Wednesday when I pop back up to London to help pack up the moving vans.  As I packed up boxes on Monday I walked into the art room and was stopped in my tracks by the years of painted prayers that had built up in there.  I had to nip back and get my camera to snap some shots before I started to strip the room.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do...

Tip Tap Typing Away

You may have noticed over the last few weeks that my creative writing juices (ew that  sounds gross) have started flowing again (gag).  This year I've found writing very draining and have poured the little energy I had for it into articles for the 24-7 Prayer website.  However a couple of weeks ago a switch flipped and the desire to write returned.  What changed?  A great reduction in work and stress.  Like all creative expressions a little pressure can motivate a lot of pressure stifles. 

Jonah Bailey, the fantastic guy who holds the 24-7 web content together, was very kind to let me have a break from writing even those articles while I recovered from my most enjoyable but draining month of the year.  I couldn't let him hold down the fort on his own much longer though so last Friday my first two contributions for a month or so went live.  The first is an observation on how prayer has been spreading in both quantity and depth and what that might mean across the globe... and the second is about a rather interesting and negative piece of feedback one of our books received on Amazon recently.  I love Pete and the international team.  They teach me a lot about humility and grace.  Have a read of the article and join in the conversation they've invited about whether 24-7 Prayer expresses creative spirituality or paganism.  Ooo er... xc

Don't You Hate it When You Miss a Birthday?

September went by in a bit of a blur for me as the two 24-7 gatherings of the Round Table in London and Home in Southampton consumed my attention.  I did however pause for thought at the beginning of the month and realise that it was nine years since the first 24-7 Prayer Room here in Chichester, England.  It is absolutely amazing that so many years have passed and that such a small idea was used by God to further His presence and purposes in the lives of so many people across the globe.  Sometimes I feel like I get it, I get 24-7 Prayer and all that's happening through it and then I hear about something new, something that God has been doing for such a long time without us ever touching it and I am truly humbled and inspired all over again.  

It's been a privilege to work alongside such friends as Brian and Tracy Heasley who love people with such sacrifice in Ibiza, Andy Freeman who gives so much of himself to see communities strengthened and even more planted in places that need a little light, Phil Togwell who's so committed to authenticity and supporting people that the UK network is flourishing in weird and wonderful ways, Jon Petersen who I think is the wisest man I know and has given so much time to support all us young 'uns who have so much to learn, Kelly Greene... if you don't know about her yet then you need to go here and find out, Charlotte Terris who is most definitely my joy mentor, Lyndall Bywater who dazzles me with her perspectives on prayer, the Arbuthnots who impress me with their faithfulness and generosity and many many many more people I could spend thousands of words writing about.  God has been good to me, to us.  It's an honour to be around so many great people working at something so worthwhile.  

24-7 International is celebrating our anniversary by giving people to opportunity to contribute to all that's happening.  £9 for nine years.  If you would consider giving 24-7 a Birthday gift then click this button and let the adventure continue... xc

 £9 for Nine Years of 24-7 Prayer

The Audacity of it!

I'm starting to lose the will to live.  Everyone who's been patiently waiting for the recordings of the Home gathering to go online will be encouraged to know they'll be available super soon.  The delay hasn't been caused by lack of effort, in fact Charlotte and I have given up our last few working weeks purely to editing, exporting and uploading words of wisdom.  It gets pretty tedious but we're nearly there.

Our lovely friend Pete Greig popped in yesterday to say hi and dream and scheme about ways to embrace and encourage the wildness of the 24-7 Prayer movement.  As I've been sifting through the talks we have available online we chatted about the idea of having a teaching Podcast to help spread the stories, vision and teaching about prayer out across the world.  I'm a bit of a Podcast junky so this greatly appeals to me but if you're reading this I'd love to know if you'd be interested in it.  The 24-7 Prayer Spaces Podcast - a daily devotional led by the Guildford Boiler Room - went down very well and was number one on the iTunes religion and spirituality chart.  If this is a way we can resource people in the way they want then by jove I'll make it happen...

Double Destiny

I love knowing that not only does God exist but He takes the time to know my thoughts and listen to my prayers. Steve and I are very fortunate and blessed people and have had the opportunity to be part of so many exciting things and dynamic communities. One of the not so positive things of this year has been that we feel like we've both dived in to one to many things. Our lives are very full, at times they're bursting at the seams, but how do you what to stop doing when you love everything and there's no obviously needless thing?

I was journalling such questions during the Round Table last month and I wrote "please tell me clearly... what should I do?" The next morning the amazing Ken 'one-sentence-is-so-deep-it-takes-a-week-to-process' McGreavey was speaking to us and he had a few words he felt he had to share for different people in the room. Turns out one of them was for us...

Download ken_mcgreavey_carla_steve.mp3

Double Destiny - one intwined, one separate but alongside. Could part of why Steve and I are feeling the strain be the balance of together and alongside? We've made a few tweaks in light of it and feel hopeful about the wisdom to come. Good to know that God's in my head and way ahead of me... xc

My Three Video Highlights of the 24-7 Round Table and Home Gatherings!

The Round Table and Home gatherings passed for me in an enjoyable bur of people, inspiration, challenge, hard work, late nights, early mornings and a lot of satisfaction. I've been through my headless chicken phase, my sit back and see what I can learn phase, my wow I'm exhausted and sleeping like a teenager phase, my leave the country and avoid thinking organisationally for ten days phase and now I'm looking back with a smile. Each year after these gatherings I am amazed to be surrounded by so many fantastic people and humbled that God is still letting us be involved on his movement. Three of my highlights are represented in video fashion below:

The Round Table>>>
1. A heart felt but slightly cringe worthy response to Pete Greig's call to er... I can't remember what but it was very stirring: Download Response.MOV

2. Pete's revenge on all the people who could have made his response a greater success but chickened out: Download Revenge.MOV

Home>>>
3. The AMAZING Triibe drummers leading us in prayer and intercession! Download triibe_at_home.MOV

Boiler Room Open Day

Please believe me I have two blog posts awaiting some work in my drafts resplendent with video evidence of the last few weeks but I've been a little brain dead since the 24-7 Home gathering (I actually dropped a knife on my foot last night).  In lieu of their swift arrival in the cyber universe (the posts not my severed toes) I have this quick shameless plug below...

5631 Prayer Rooms Later

I'm taking some time tonight to sift through the feedback, photos and prayer rooms of the last year. It's a fun little job I do periodically to keep our stats up to date and to know what I'm thanking God for. I was amazed as I checked our newly functioning prayer room counter... we've had nearly a thousand prayer rooms in 2008 which has jumped us from just over four and a half thousand in February to 5631 in August! Wow - the wave of prayer seems to be getting stronger. I then flicked back over the last few years and it was obvious once I was looking for it, there's been a steady build in the number of prayer rooms since 2005. We've also had quite an increase in nations. We've gone from 74 in Feb to 87 in Aug. Nice to know God's on the move and He still wants to hang out with us.. xc

Tunes to make you mmmmm

I just uploaded this article on the 24-7 website about the annual competition and auction happening at 'HOME'. The comp is one of my highlights of each years gathering: blue-peter-make-it-yourself style entries being sold for ridiculous amounts of money. It would be criminal if it didn't mean we've raised thousands of pounds to help some amazing people and projects of the last few years. I cried as we blessed the couple leading our Swedish base with a honeymoon, when we blessed the only youth church in Macedonia and when we helped a Massai foster mother send her children to school. I laughed as Pete Greig cut Markus Leagel's hair off just to raise a few hundred pounds more and as Kelly Greene taught Pete how to be a cheer leader (hmm Pete features a lot). Each year is someone and something different, the comp and auction itself the most hilarious and ridiculous act of generosity from a bizarre and varied family. xc

Greetings from Brno

So we're a day into the 24-7 Euro Gathering in the Czech Republic and it's going great. There is an excitingly diverse mix of people, old friends and new. We came with a word from England that this was the right place, at the right time gathering the right people. We still just story telling and getting our bearings but I'm excited about what God might say to us about the continent of Europe. Got to see a little more of the city today as well so click below to see some picks... xc

The 24-7 Euro Gathering

I'm in the car with the lovely Helen Monkton on my way to the Czech Republic for the 24-7 Euro gathering. Bit sad to be leaving Steve so soon after he's returned home but quite excited about all the friends new and old I'm going to hang out with. Wonder what God's gonna say as we pray and chat about our great continent? xc

Three continents of encouragement

It's that fun time of month again when I look back at prayer room correspondence and the inspiring people I've been in touch with and pull out just a few extracts to encourage myself and those that work hard for God and the 24-7 movement. Below are the words of men and women on three continents loving the presence of God in the prayer room. Reading fresh stories and experiences like these remind me why I do what I do. Enjoy...

24-7 Prayer Spaces: iTunes #1

On the first day of release the 24-7 Prayer Spaces Podcast has shot to the top of iTunes Religion and Spirituality chart. This puts it higher than Oprah Winfrey, Worship Central and many other fantastic Christian Podcast resources...

Something I'm excited about...

24-7 Prayer Spaces is the new prayer Podcasting project from the Guildford Boiler Room. Steve and I were up there yesterday with Pete G, Mark, Adri and Jenni helping them with recording, listening to the first one and recording the outtro for all future Podcasts...