Successful Prayer Breakfast Hosted by Assembly Christian FellowshipFriday 13th November 2009

Many MLAs, Church and community leaders gathered in Stormont Parliament Buildings on Monday, the 19th of October, to pray for Northern Ireland, the Assembly and those in authority in our nation. Prayers were also made for the Church, the world and those who do not yet know Christ.

You could really sense the unity among people who gathered together from diverse backgrounds, party affiliation and denominational/ non-denominational identity. It seems God has shed upon us His special grace in that such genuine and heartfelt prayers are being offered at these prayer breakfasts. There is nothing impossible to God. When we want what God wants for the same reason God wants it, to glorify Christ and draw others closer to Him, then nothing shall be impossible to us. We serve a Wonderful God!

Special music was performed once again by the wonderfully gifted singer Carol Lemon from Glenmachan Church of God. Carol’s sensitivity to sing songs that are always uplifting is a highlight of the morning.

Stephen Shaw QC, the well known and respected barrister from Belfast, spoke convincingly of his approach to the core claims of Christianity. He invited us to approach the gospel and the resurrection of Christ from a juror’s perspective, weighing the claims, the counter claims …to consider the “evidence” of the gospel. While time constraints did not allow a full accounting of that evidence he asserted that many critics who have done just that had come away as ”believers” in Christ and gave historical accounts of some.

Mr. Stephen Shaw challenged us to consider the empty tomb, a fact agreed by history, and to consider the many accounts of the resurrection, for which the explanation of a few delusional disciples was inadequate. These were men willing to die for their faith! We were indeed challenged to live for Christ today.

I can only say that after the prayers, the fellowship and the stirring exhortation by Stephen Shaw QC, I truly felt we had reached a higher place in our purpose and destiny as the Assembly Christian Fellowship in Northern Ireland. Thank you Lord Jesus for your “great grace” upon us all and we give you all the glory!

Report by Brian Ashworth

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