What is “Picking Up The Baton”?

“Picking Up The Baton” is a major prayer initiative that has come about after churches in East and West Sussex were encouraged to have an ecumenical year of prayer in 2004. At the launch of this year of prayer in January 2004, a ‘Service of Light’ was held in Chichester Cathedral. At the beginning of the service, the Cathedral was plunged into darkness and then one candle was lit at the front of the Cathedral. Gradually individual candles were lit, until the light permeated across the whole Cathedral.

From this has come a strong sense that God is wanting a movement of prayer and unity to “come up from the South and down from the North” of our Country, reflecting the movement of light spreading across the Cathedral.

Why “Picking up the Baton?”

The title of the initiative simply reflects the movement of prayer from one County to another.

What is the main focus of “Picking up the Baton?”

The main focus is to encourage Churches Together Groups (or groups of Churches working together) to take up the challenge of 24/7 prayer. Aiming to cover a whole week in continuous prayer by praying for and, if appropriate, with their communities. What happens if one group doesn’t manage to cover a whole week in continuous prayer? It doesn’t matter and will not be deemed a failure. It’s a case of doing what we can, not what we can’t.

How does 24/7 prayer work?

Working together, hopefully with one or several coordinators, churches will endeavour to:

• Find out some of the prayer needs of their community. This can be done by asking appropriate questions at the local police station, schools, community centres, elderly people’s residences, shops, offices, local councils, social services etc.

• It may be possible to fix community prayer boxes in shops, supermarkets, community centres where prayers can be deposited, collected and prayed over.

• If possible arrange to have a prayer room set aside for your week of prayer. This needs to be in a secure location but cosy and inviting. Arrange the room in such a way that visitors will be able to easily relax and pray. Use of maps of the area, paper and paints/plasticine for creative prayers, soft music and lighting (be careful of using candles) and any visual aids could help focus prayers for the community. Security of the prayer room needs careful thought, especially through the night. (Young people particularly enjoy the ‘night shifts’ and it will be best if several meet together. Some could sleep in a corner while others pray and then change over at a given time.)

Some groups of churches in Sussex have launched their weeks of prayer in one church using their own particular models for prayer and ended with a celebration in another church, again using a different model of prayer. This way there is a learning and appreciation of each church’s styles of prayer.

What else needs to happen?

Each County is encouraged to have a major launch event and, if possible, quarterly events around the County to keep people informed, encouraged, and up to date with progress. Some Counties have a website which can be used for stories, answered prayers etc.

What about publicity?

At the moment discussion is taking place with a non-denominational Christian ministry who are considering making available posters, flyers etc; that can be overprinted.

What happens after “Picking up the Baton?”

 In a sense this is very much in God’s hands. Hopefully it will lead to a greater appreciation and understanding of each other. In Sussex discussions are going on as to how to respond to the growing spiritual awareness and the recognised need to reach out to communities.

There is no reason why Churches Together groups (or groups of churches working together) shouldn’t continue with an annual week of prayer if this is how they feel led. There is a rising tide of prayer and this prayer initiative is just one of many across the UK.

God is calling His church to prayer and 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a verse that many churches are being led to.

Why can’t we leave the praying to the intercessory prayer groups that are around?

We could! But there is a real sense that God wants to equip all His people to pray. Therefore it may well be appropriate to call upon these intercessory prayer networks to resource local churches if there is a need.

We believe that every Christian needs to know that their prayers are important and valid and can make a difference. The cry has been heard from many churches who say “We know we aught to pray, but we don’t know how to pray…come and help us”. “Picking up the Baton” needs to respond to that cry, if possible, by offering teaching on prayer.

Please contact Linda Ashford email: info@pickingupthebaton.org.uk or use the contact form who can provide further information about “Picking up the Baton” and may be able to put you in touch with someone in your area who can offer teaching on prayer.

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