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Couple calls nation to its knees
published: Sunday | November 24, 2002


- Contributed
Silton and Lorna Townsend, convenors of the Prayer Day meetings.

Donna-Marie Rowe, Contributor

ON NOVEMBER 7, some 40 zealous followers of Christ came together under the banner 'O magnify the Lord with me' and shared testimonies of how their special group has been a blessing to them during its first year of meeting for prayer.

"Prayer is such a part of us," testifies Silton Townsend who, along with his wife, Lorna, convenes the Prayer Day meetings, which take place on the first Saturday of each month at Medallion Hall Hotel, Kingston.

"The Lord has given me prayer as a ministry," Mr. Townsend said, and explained that one year ago on September 15, the Lord gave him a word that he should call a Prayer Day on November 3. This was to be an undertaking for the entire island.

"I sensed the Lord was calling me to call people from all denominations to come together to pray," he recalls, and that it should be done on the first Saturday in each month for 12 months.

Having received this directive, Mr. Townsend proceeded to write to one of the daily newspapers but could not tell if his letter was ever published. He is convinced that God was calling Christians to be the united voice of the nation, "so that as a nation we could experience the healing we have been longing for."

He felt at that time, initiatives such as "Jamaica Bawl Out" were a step in the right direction and all contributed to "helping to turn the nose of the nation from the abyss in which it was heading." Mr. Townsend said the Prime Minister had called for two days of prayer last year. After his vision from God to declare November 3 as Prayer Day, the convener said he found out that November 3 was named the International Day of Prayer.

One of the clearest signs, Mr. Townsend mentioned, happened while his wife and himself were out walking, when they paused and looked at the sky and saw a cloud formation that looked like someone in the kneeling position of prayer.

"It was a clear message that God was calling us to a prayer ministry," he notes.

Prayer Day for him was to be a time of national repentance, intercession and thanksgiving and was to be held once each month.

Various ministers from different denominations have addressed the gathering, which on average consists of about 20 persons. The largest group has been over 40 Christian believers.

What strikes Mr. Townsend as most outstanding about the group is that persons have been "courageous to cross denominational barriers" to pray together. Now one year later and assessing the group's strides, Mr. Townsend said, "Since we started, I know that we have seen answers to prayers. We have prayed for a reduction in crime and violence; the nation's children; peaceful elections; and the salvation of our loved ones.

Although "we are not able to measure, we know that God answers prayers and we know that things are happening," he said. "The people tell us of victories they have been having in their families. The people who come benefit in a real way and they see where prayer makes a difference in their lives. In fact, on the occasion of their first anniversary when the 25 persons gathered, many shared how their spiritual lives had been strengthened and refreshed by the meetings every first Saturday. They spoke about getting deeper revelations from God through His word and about their closer walk with God through prayer.

"Prayer is the real master key," Mr. Townsend asserts. He explained that prayer is not just speaking words but speaking to someone who is listening and having this someone respond. Encouraging others to pray, Mr. Townsend says, "Prayer by faith can accomplish so much."

Having learned even more about prayer through the year's experiences, Mr. Townsend said that now "we speak to our situations, for example, we have spoken to the rain and the sky cleared up. It is so important for people to learn how to pray."

Has his focus changed now that the 12 months have passed and people are exploring the power of prayer? Mr. Townsend said, "No! But what I sense the Lord encouraging me to do is to foster Christian unity." He encourages persons to stop looking at the differences among us. "First Corinthians, chapter 12, speaks about the body of Christ - we are all different parts of the body," he explains.

"We are not starting a church. We are just moving in obedience," Mr. Townsend points out and adds that he and his wife still worship at their assemblies."

Among his many ministries, Mr. Townsend has been instrumental in establishing 'corporate worship' at his place of work; it involves a number of staff members participating in devotion on the first Monday of each month, singing and evangelising, in which he was very involved when he got saved "many years ago". Devotion in the workplace, though not very popular, has been taken to another level where the staff members mount their 'corporate worship' banner and invite ministers to address them in preaching and singing, which are accompanied by their in-house keyboardist.

Entreating others to follow their zeal in prayer, Mr. Townsend cautions that persons "need to back up prayer with righteousness, as we can't live a life displeasing to God and expect Him to bless us. Remember the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Seek first the kingdom of God and back up our prayer with the life we live."

Donna-Marie Rowe may be contacted at 927-0675.

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