Halifax Prayer is part of a citywide initiative to encourage churches and para-church organizations to come together outside of their familiar surroundings to be a public witness for Christ in Halifax. We have a unique privilege of being welcomed by the city into their City Hall to pray. You are invited to be part of this by bringing a delegation from your organization to City Hall one Monday in the coming year. We are hopeful that your people will be excited by this event and choose to return every month.
Your group is invited to bring a core group of intercessors who have a heart for prayer and anyone else from your organization who would like to see Jesus lifted high in our city.
Participants should familiarize themselves with their local councillor and be praying for them specifically. (If they do know the councillor the City of Halifax website will help them to identify
the person. http://www.halifax.ca/councillors/. They will also find it helpful to be noting topics for prayer beforehand. Be up to date on the current issues in our city. These can be prayers of praise or petition.
History
Halifax Prayer is a group of Christians who come together monthly to pray for the City of Halifax and our provincial and federal government. This prayer initiative has been ongoing for over 20 years. In June, 1999 the group began to meet in City Hall. Prior to that there were monthly gatherings in churches or in various public venues. (In 1999 it was called Pray for Halifax. This later became Pray for Metro or HRM and now Halifax Prayer.)
Scriptural Mandate
The scriptural mandate for Halifax Prayer is found in 1 Timothy 2:1 ff: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”
We believe in the power and the mystery of prayer and that God will answer the prayers of His people.
Meeting
The Halifax Prayer meeting convenes at 6:30 PM in City Hall and finishes between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM. (Enter by the main doors off of the parade square and the commissionaire will give you directions.) City Hall is wheelchair accessible by the side entrance on Argyle Street. A member of the Halifax Prayer team will host and provide leadership for the gathering. Your assignment is simply to pray in advance and to join us in praise and prayer. (No need to be in charge of anything.)
Meeting format
Our deep desire is to be led by and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit. A typical evening might include:
? Opening prayer
? Brief Introduction
? Brief reports on encouraging signs in the community
? Worship in singing/music
? Scripture reading
? Prayer
? Contemplative music (optional)
? Summation
The prayer time will typically include:
? Prayers for mayor and city councillor members by name (Lists provided)
? Prayers for city council agenda and current city issues
? Prayers for the churches in Halifax and for the unity of the churches
? Prayers for provincial and federal governments
? Prayers about issues presented by the visiting church or para-church group for praise or
petition.