On a Friday night in Shoreditch, a group of young men caroused along the High Street, already tipsy from bar hopping…
As they passed the open doors of St. Leonard’s Church, their curiosity piqued. Inside, GEM worker Leslie Hall and fellow Christians prayed by candlelight, asking God to bring in the many unchurched people in Shoreditch.
Accepting the offer of prayer
Accepting an invitation by a young church member, the men entered the church, intrigued by soft guitar music and warm smiles. Young women also wandered in, dressed in their best for a night on the town. None had expected to find themselves in a church.
Leslie offered to pray with them or let them pray privately. Some accepted her offer, while others quietly contemplated. When they left, many stopped to touch up their eye make-up, having been moved to tears.
All evening long, people came and went. The congregation remained until closing time, then entered a time of prayer.
Inspired by the recent revival among young adults across the world, the worshippers at St. Leonard’s cried out to God for revival in their own community, repeatedly reciting Psalm 24.
A turning point
That night marked a turning point for the Shoreditch community. A deeper hunger and a passion for prayer emerged, leading to the establishment of a House of Prayer aimed at creating space for God’s work.
The prayer revival at St. Leonard’s (aka Shoreditch Church) continues to thrive, impacting unbelievers and believers. One Christian young woman invited people to join on open-door evenings. Encouraging a co-worker to attend, she helped her embrace faith in Jesus.
Others gifted in evangelism stand at the church’s gate, encouraging passersby to come in. Intercessors have taken on leadership roles, nurturing a hunger for prayer. Administrators develop systems for volunteers to care for their community.
The Holy Spirit still at work
Leslie and other church members continue to focus on prayer as a powerful outreach tool.
“We want the community to know that they can come in and be prayed for and hear about Jesus,” Leslie explains, adding that people may also simply sit quietly and listen to worship music.
Since initiating their prayer movement, the Holy Spirit has been actively working in East London, touching lives in profound ways.
Leslie, now Director of Prayer for Greater Europe Mission, reflects, “I don’t think I would be in this role had I not experienced the powerful prayer ministry at Shoreditch.” She relates that prayer has always been essential, and witnessing its impact in her neighbourhood showed her that as God’s people, their most vital task is to pray.
Source: Greater Europe Mission (GEM)
