Prayer at Ormskirk Parish Church

People have been praying at Ormskirk Parish Church for a very long time. One of only three churches in the country that has both a tower and a steeple the church contains Norman, Saxon and perhaps even some Celtic masonry in the East wall. The steeple dates to the 15th Century while the tower was built a hundred years later to house the bells from Burscough priory after the dissolution. Today the church (picture courtesy of Brian Wallington) is at the heart of Ormskirk town centre and is home to a thriving congregation. Visit the Ormskirk Parish Church web site for an overview of activities.

A number of parishes in the Diocese of Liverpool have commented that not only was prayer central to a successful Giving in Grace initiative but that it also provided a focus for growth in prayer. Kirsty Childs, was the prayer coordinator on the planning group at Ormskirk. Her story is told in full at Prayer at Ormskirk Parish Church and we are grateful for permission to make her prayer resources available for local use and adaptation.

• Kirsty ensured that worship leaders and intercessors knew about and had access to the relevant liturgical material from the web site. Kirsty also worked hard to develop fresh and creative prayer resources.
• A special prayer group was established meeting weekly for a month before the preaching series began. It wasn't a large group but it didn't need to be to underlined that Giving in Grace is an initiative around discipleship and spirituality.
• Prayer cards were also used effectively. A pre launch prayer card was used before the preaching series began and a second prayer card was available the fist Sunday of the programme.
• A special bookmark prayer card was also made available to the members of the house groups in the church and prayer cards for wallets and purse.
• Children were not excluded from either Giving in Grace or the prayer material. A special children's prayer card was made available featuring “Grandpa George", a puppet who makes frequent appearances at family services and praise parties in Ormskirk.
• Influenced by the 24/7 prayer movement Kirsty planned to launch the Giving in Grace initiative with a 24 hour prayer event built around the creative use of Prayer stations in the church which can be found at Prayer Station ideas and use her ideas as a starting point for developing your own.

Read the full story of prayer at Ormskirk Parish Church