Three and a half years ago if someone asked me if I believe prayer “worked” I would have answered yes. I would have done so honestly; acting in faith on the thing I knew to be true through scripture. Today, however, I KNOW that what the Bible says in James 5:16 is TRUE. The faithful prayers of the righteous accomplish much.  I have found this especially true when it comes to the UNIFIED Body of Christ.  

In the initial stages of opening the coffee shop, I reached out to other believers from all of the churches I knew around me through my work at the local Christian School, and invited them to begin praying.  I knew that prayer mattered, and I wanted to make sure we were being prayed for as we engaged this enormous venture. What I didn’t know then was the result of engaging the multi-church in prayer: 40 days of three times-per-day prayer meetings and walls filled with heart-felt prayer requests, listing everything from saved people and marriages to transformed ministries and money freed up to bless town leaders and businesses.  The requests which covered that prayer room and came from the mouths of those attending these meetings, were vast and faith-filled.  Many were huge in scope and seemingly impossible, but as every Christian knows, “nothing is impossible with God.”  

We were about to find out just how true that was.

What I can testify to over three years later is that we are STILL seeing (almost DAILY) the answers to those prayers asked for in faith! There are times where I am stunned and others where I just sit with quiet assurance, always in awe of the faithfulness of our God. I also am confident, in a way I might not have known prior to this season, that any prayers we lifted up that have not yet been answered, WILL BE in due time and season. God loves our town and its people, and we have only seen some, of ALL that is to come as we continue to join together in unity and seek His favor and grace! 

Three and a half years later the multi-church movement continues to meet and to grow.  Both weekly and monthly prayer meetings take place.  Events like community Bible Studies and worship nights are happening throughout the community.  People are serving one another with hearts of compassion and love. Prayers are continually lifted up in faith and answers are given, changing lives and homes and businesses. Manchester has even been added to the list of City Gospel Movements! Our town continues to be one of my favorite places to be. I see God’s hand everywhere I look, and I am thankful. 

I believe not just in the POWER of prayer, but the IMPORTANCE of prayer. Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from it.  God loves it when His children come together and ask Him to move mountains as one voice.  By God’s grace, we are doing that in Manchester. Come join us!

With you on the journey,

If you have not yet joined the movement, please come be a part. You can find us at Manchester, CT – United in Prayer on Facebook. If you live outside of the area, I encourage you to find or start a similar movement in your area. You’ll be so glad you did!