CAPTION: 630 miles of the South West Coast Path was covered with prayer and praise
Over 3500 Christians Join South West Coast Path Chain of Prayer
Over 3500 Christians from churches from across the South West of England took part in a huge “chain of prayer” along the South West Coast Path on Saturday 19 June to pray for the region.
The South West Awake event saw individuals, couples and church groups standing along the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path to pray for the people of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
3500+ Christians joined together to create a ring of united prayer
The churches involved spanned different denominations including the Church of England, Methodists, United Reformed Church, Elim Pentecostal and Vineyard.
The event took place from 10.30am and 11.00am and the half-an-hour gathering included prayer, followed by worship, which in some places included singing, drums, klaxons, shofars, trumpets and guitars.
Rev’d Gary Owen, from the Two Rivers Mission Community, was part of a group of ten who walked from Croyde to Baggy Point.
He said, “We really enjoyed the chance to chat as we walked and then to stop and pray. It felt special to be part of something bigger than just us – knowing that there were people all along the path praying (as well as the angels).”
Walkers from the Two Rivers Mission Community gather at Baggy Point in North Devon
One of the organisers, Mark Pugh, Lead Pastor of Rediscover Church said, “South West Awake was so special.
“Churches uniting in prayer is both beautiful and powerful – beautiful because we know it is part of an answer to one of Jesus’ prayers and powerful because God commands a blessing.
“We are so humbled that 3500+ Christians joined together to create a ring of united prayer and praise on the 630 miles on the longest continuous footpath in the UK and I’m convinced we will see much evidence of good fruit coming from this in the months and years ahead.”
The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, said “We are privileged to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, and honouring the God who summons us to life and love through this act of prayer and praise was an inspiration.“
“Churches uniting in prayer is both beautiful and powerful”
The organisers have already announced South West Awake will take place again next year, with the date scheduled for Pentecost Saturday, 4 June 2022.
Rev’d James Grier, the Diocese of Exeter’s Mission Enabler, said “There may never have been a better time to surround the South West in prayer.
“It is fantastic to see so many Christians from such a diversity of churches across the region, joining together in prayer. I can’t wait for us to do it again next year and have people praying on every mile of the coast path.”
People wishing to take part are encouraged to visit www.southwestawake.com
