The Power of Prayer Vigils

I still remember the first time I attended a prayer vigil. It was June 13, 2016 - the day after the Pulse Night Club shooting in Orlando where 49 people died and 58 were wounded. The Annual Conference of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, which I was attending for the first time, was being held that year at a hotel just outside of Disney Springs (I think it was still called Downtown Disney back then). That evening hundreds of us (maybe even a thousand people) gathered in the parking lot outside the hotel. Local officials spoke and our Bishop prayed. People brought guitars and spontaneous songs of lament and love broke out amongst the crowd. Candles were distributed and lit from one person to another. We all cried and some people were literally sobbing while being embraced by others in the crowd. Most of us didn't know each other but in those moments of darkness and heartbreak, we found comfort and encouragement in just being together, praying and singing songs of love and unity. I will never forget the feeling of connection and hope found in those dark moments following such an unimaginable tragedy. 

Since that evening, I have been convinced of the power of prayer vigils to allow us to grieve, help us to heal and bring us to a point of connection with our fellow human beings who are also struggling. From this time of unity, we find the strength to move forward and take action to change our world and make our communities more reflective of the Kingdom of God. Have you ever attended a prayer vigil? If not, you might want to give it a try and if you have, it might be time for you to do it again!

What are some of the things you are struggling with in your life, our community and our world? Those are the things you should bring with you (in your thoughts) to our Interfaith Ministerial Alliance prayer vigil this Sunday, May 31st at 5pm in front of our church. We will sing, pray, hear a reflection and confess our brokenness to one another. We will lament and grieve and then we will find hope and encouragement in simply being together. When you step out of your comfort zone, decide to devote 45 minutes to praying for and with our neighbors and take a chance on trying something new, I guarantee you the Holy Spirit will fill your heart and maybe even change your life. 

I know most of us just want to go home on Sundays and take a nap or chill out and watch a movie or even go to the beach. But I am asking you, as a personal favor to me - just this once, join us for a time of prayer and song and see what God has in store for you. You might just be so glad that you did that you'll be excited to join us for the next vigil (we plan on hosting them monthly)!

Sunday May 31st - 5pm

600 Eaton Street (in front of our sanctuary)

***Bring a folding chair, a mental list of your prayer requests and an open heart for the Holy Spirit to fill!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)

Grace and Peace

-Pastor Madeline