Global prayer hour for the unchurched

Fresh Expressions, the movement that uses new and innovative methods to reach the 'un-churched' or 'de-churched' are holding an hour of prayer on Monday 28th May, to reach out to these very groups of people.

The 'Hour of Prayer for Fresh Expressions' is a global event that will take place between 12-1pm local time. Its aim is to unite believers in prayer for those who are as yet beyond the reach of the church, and for its leaders.

Their suggested prayer guide encourages participants to consider members of the local community who are not yet involved in any church, pray for unity amongst the denominations, and consider the challenges of church planting. Props such as string to represent unity and seeds to represent church planting are also suggested.

Bishop Graham Cray, Archbishops' Missioner and leader of the Fresh Expressions team said:

"The hour of prayer will take place on the day after Pentecost, when we traditionally celebrate the birthday of the church. This designated time of waiting on God in thankfulness for the past and hope for the future is one I welcome and encourage others to share with us."

The Fresh Expressions movement is an initiative of the Church of England, and a term that is now used widely in Anglican and Methodist circles. Its aim is to reach those who were once part of the church and have since left, or those who simply have never been in church. It hopes to encourage new types of churches that express the changing society of today- through various methods such as the arts and music to meetings in cafés and sports clubs; even a 'surfer church' on Polzeath beach!

Graham Cray said: "Fresh expressions are a response to 'our changing culture'. This movement assumes that the church is shaped by both the gospel and the culture it is trying to reach. It is not meant to be conformed to culture, but it is meant to be appropriate for reaching and transforming a culture."