More Town Pastor stories from the streets

It really was stunning, well over 20 years of ‘legendary’ trouble smoothed over in one peaceful and quiet evening. It was a well planned operation on all fronts, and it was obvious from the way that the idea of TP involvement blossomed that God was right there in the heart of it. With the help of the home prayers the town was blanketed in prayer, and it showed! I have known the town for 30 years, and the Hadleigh May Show Friday night fair has been legendary amongst the youngsters for all the wrong reasons. This operation was a great success on all fronts, the town was peaceful and quiet, a genuine miracle.

One of our home prayer team called in to our prayer base to say that she had a bad feeling about one of the alleys. The prayer base let the Town Pastors know, so they paid more attention to the alleys that night. However, nothing was seen until nearly midnight, when they were on their way back to base. Had they not been warned about the alleys they might have missed what looked like a black bin-liner in one of the shadows. 

 

The Town Pastors decided to investigate and found a man unconscious on the ground. He was already cold, and completely unresponsive, so they called an ambulance for him and wrapped him in a foil blanket. A first responder attended, and couldn't find a pulse on his exposed (cold) hand, so had to switch his meter to the covered (warm) hand, which started showing a pulse. Eventually, thanks to the foil blanket, the man warmed up to the point where he could be roused (it was drink, not a fall, that had knocked him out), and continued his way home under his own steam. 

 

Had the Town Pastors not found him it might have been another five or six hours before someone saw him, by which time he may well have died of hypothermia. But they might not have found him had they not been prompted by the prayer team to look down the alleys.

In the course of my Christian life, and it's been quite long to date, I have met a few Believers who found it difficult to pray audibly. When asked about it the answers varied; self-concious, unworthy, inept. One man in his 60's said he had not been a Christian long enough! I have and still do pray that they have progressed further in their faith.

 

I am very pleased to say that the Town Pastor Prayer Team members that I have mixed with are a joy to be with and indeed are an inspiration, in depth and fellowship of their intercession. I, with others, are all too aware of God meeting our requests in all kinds of problems and situations. The CYM centre on a Friday and Saturday night becomes a Powerhouse for prayer support for our Brothers and Sisters. Frequently we do not get our Amens uttered before results are being noted over the airways!

 

At home I am also committed to prayer, but I miss the fellowship. Instead of making coffee or tea with a slice of toast for others, I go solo! I have to concentrate on God's word whilst fighting sleep and the enemies that would cause distraction. From home there is less communication on specific prayer needs in the town but, as Christians, we can give continuing thanks. Praise God for giving us the Blessings of Service, and being on the winning side of the battle. 2 Corinthians 3:5

When Christians commit to seeking God, and to prayer, He will, and does answer in amazing ways. I truly believe that last night was evidence of His wonderful work - it could only have come from Him. Why else would there have been such respectful responses from the people we met, and such an absence of any trouble? There was such an astonishing reaction of surprise and relief from the policeman in charge of their operation, about the contrast with the previous year at the May Fair, that it conveyed to me more than just a success of his officers – that of God intervening.

Over the radio came a request for CCTV attention to a group of young men who were climbing scaffolding (alcohol + climbing = bad!). We walked to the spot praying for peace and a good reception. We had a friendly word with them, distributed some water and gently informed them they were 'on film'. They peaceably accepted the advice to move on and behave more appropriately (not always the case) - another answer to prayer... God is good!