Global Day of Prayer

2nd May  2008

Global Day of Prayer – Sunday 11 May from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. in Castle Gardens

As part of this international initiative we have planned a united church gathering in Swansea Centre to pray for the city and region, as well as for Wales and the world. We do believe that when Christians are united and speak with one voice God hears and responds.

We have a full programme planned, which we attach for your information. Please do encourage your churches to come along and bring flags and banners as it will bring colour and life to the event. Please also pass word on to other churches and encourage them to be involved and pray that this event will have an eternal impact on the city.

As part of the programme we will be praying for the police, local government and especially for the people. We will finish by making a declaration over the region, then expressing our repentance on behalf of the city and nation and then praying that God will pour his love and mercy on our people. To that end we would very much like every church leader to come up on the stage at about 3.30 so we can make this declaration and prayer together.

We look forward to seeing you and experiencing this historic event with you.

Please do contact me if you require any further information. We do have a DVD available for The Global day of Prayer which is quite inspiring. You can also find our more information on www.globaldayofprayer.co.uk  

Mick Walford

Castle Square  – May 11 – Programme Suggestion

1.   Host of the Event - Kevin Johns

2.00 – 2.20 Worship – Ben Evans

2.20 – 2.35 The world Matters to God – Dave Ward
• 10 people praying in their own language
• A parade of flags
• United congregational prayer for Europe/World
• Two Welsh speaking people to pray for Wales

2.35 – 2.40 Drama – You can make a Difference – Alun John

2.40 – 2.55 The City and Area matters to God – Mike Sutton-Smith
• Mark Mathias – Chief Super
• The Lord Mayor of Swansea
• John Samson
• Prayer for City Leaders, Street Pastors, Hours of kindness and Regions of Swansea

2.55 – 3.05 Worship – Ben Evans

3.05 – 3.20 Every Person matters to God – Mandy Harvey
• Child, teenager, young married, middle age and pensioner speak of their Hope for the future
• Prayer for neighbours and families
• The Hope Poem

3.20 – 3.30 Short address – Julian Richards

3.30 – 3.40 The Church matters to God
• Unity Declaration – All church leaders on stage
• Hope Declaration over the area
• United Confession and Prayer for the City

3.40 – 3.45 Worship and End – Ben Evans 

Swansea Declaration of Hope

We affirm that as one church in this city and region, 2008 will be a year with:-

Holy Spirit filled action

One people committed to God and each other

Proclamation of the truth of Jesus Christ

Each Christian discovering that they can make a difference

We pray for our local community, that 2008 will be a year with:-

Healing for people and families who are broken

Order where there is disturbance and unrest

Protection for the vulnerable

Every person and every leader in the city prayed for

We affirm that in 2008, we intend to bring:-

Harmony instead of discord

Openness instead of Bigotry

Praise instead of criticism

Expectancy instead of apathy

We acknowledge our own responsibility for the wholeness of this city and region and we turn away from our indifference, our lack of concern for the needy and for our inability to reveal what you are really like to those around us.

We pray that the God of Hope will touch our lives, our streets, our neighbours, our work places, our civic leaders, our police, our community and our region with hope, courage, integrity, justice and an awareness of the wonderful love of God.

We make this declaration and pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen