Day 116: Praying for open-air and street ministries (1989)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 116 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'I love the Lord, because he heard me when I called to him.  He listened carefully to me. When I need help, I will always pray to him, for as long as I live' (Psalm 116:1 and 2, EasyEnglish Bible). 

1989

The Deliverer for July/August 1990 reported a ‘miracle on the beach’ that occurred in summer 1989:

‘It was one of the very few hot, sticky days of August last year. As the minutes ticked by I started to prepare for our open-air meeting on the pier at Bangor, North Wales… I became aware of a visitor to the area. He began talking about the magnificent view from the pier, which takes in the unspoilt places of the Menai Straits, right down to Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr to the Great Orme at Llandudno.

‘It was while talking and preparing that he was persuaded to stay for our meeting which was due to start at 7.30pm.

‘We began with a grand crowd singing “Since Jesus came into my heart”. All seemed to be going according to the organised meeting plan. It wasn’t until the listeners were asked for some favourite hymns that the man to whom I had spoken previously made his way forward and asked if he could say something.

‘Very nervously he approached the microphone and with a broken voice wept and told of his condition as an alcoholic and his need to be released from its clutches. Would we pray for and with him? 

‘As we prayed we sensed the presence of God. Amid the hustle and bustle of the setting, the natural noise of the location and the people milling around, God’s voice spoke, and this man became a new creation in Jesus Christ.

‘A Christian from another church who had been “down that road” identified with the broken man, took him aside and gave him some counsel, while we continued with our service, with a deeper sense of awe and praise.

‘The man who had come forward was now on his way back to his holiday home assured of God’s forgiveness and presence to help him in his area of need… And so we all claimed in faith a new brother in Christ. Indeed, it was true… I saw a miracle happen on Bangor pier that night.’

Prayer

• Open-air outreach and street ministry are part of the Army’s DNA. Pray for those engaged in these ministries.