But, about the Instructor Assessment. Pretty much I learnt today that it is basically a course within this course. The only difference is that it is accompanied with continual assessment. Expectations are that you'll arrive five-ten minutes before the time set to meet. It seems crazy but it keeps you on your toes. I've already got the tide information for the next week and checked out times and everything that we need to be rigged up and changed for tomorrow morning. Let's go out and smash this assessment (I say let "us" because it's a team effort) pulverise it into the ground and come out whistling merrily with our certificates hanging nonchalantly over one shoulder :D :D :D So, I'll say it again (I said it yesterday), in five days time I could be a qualified Dinghy Instructor. Here goes!!!
Time 15 March · 19:00 - 20:00
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Location Parliament Square
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Created by: Pat Allerton
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More info 7:14 – Parliament Square Prayer
An hour of prayer for our Nation and Leaders.
A visible statement of faith.
A brandless, grassroots, flashmob event.
...For everyone, led by students.
Tuesday 15th March
7:14pm – 8:14pm
Parliament Square
Bring candles, glow sticks, lights of all kinds.
When Big Ben strikes 8, all drop to our knees.
Students, Young People, Church, rise up!
Let your light be seen.
“If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek
my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
The Vision
7:14
“Into the darkness you shine. Out of the ashes we rise.”
We’ve been singing these words in Church recently, and what amazing words they are.
But what if these words could actually become visible? What if we could literally see a gathering of God’s people, that displayed the light of Christ in the heart of this City, and saw the Church rise up in an apathetic age?
I believe God is calling his Church to come together, for a ‘one night only’ event in London. A statement of faith and unity, that will capture hearts and minds, and bring healing and change to the nation.
Some time ago, just after the first student protest, I was praying about student ministry in general and for God to move on campus. At that moment, I had a picture. In my mind’s eye I saw the Houses of Parliament, and a gathering of people in front of it, holding candles and praying. In an instant I knew they were students, coming together to pray for their Government and Leaders.
I believe God wants to see Parliament Square full of people, coming from all over, carrying candles and praying for our nation and leaders. Whilst at first I thought it would be just for students, I now feel it will be much broader. I believe this event (called ‘7:14’ after 2 Chronicles 7:14) is an opportunity for the WHOLE Church, young and old, to come together in a very public and visible way, to bless the nation and be seen by its people. A beautiful image of what the Church is called to be. A visible sign of what the Church is called to do.
But whilst it will be an event for everyone, I believe students and young people will lead it, mobilising themselves to come together, in the opposite spirit to that of the protests, choosing to pray for the government, even when they may not agree with its policies. As they take the lead, I believe the wider Church will follow, and a significant and visible statement will be made by the Church in Central London.
This is a one off event, and my aim is for it to be as anonymous, brandless and grassroots as possible. No agendas. No platforms. Just a call to pray.
As for 7:14 itself, it’s all about simplicity. We'll come together in a window of time. The rest will just happen as it does, and as God’s Spirit blows. There’ll be no public address, or gathering spot, no sense of a centre at all, just the People of God coming together as one for an hour of prayer and light for the nation. We’ll meet at 7.14pm in Parliament Square, and we’ll just take things from there. Walking, standing, praying, blessing. Seeking God together. It will rise up from the ground and then seemingly disappear, peaceable and beautiful, apparently unenduring, but something will have changed, and God in his mercy will have heard.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
One People. One Prayer. One Purpose.
One hour, to see our Nation changed.
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