Holding a sacred assembly in your community
From a book by Bob Perry and Amy Lykosh
"Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.
Gather the people,
consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders,
gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber." Joel 2v15-16 NIV
This prayer assembly by people all across a community, led to God taking action.
"A sacred assembly has the power to transform a community" Michael W.Smith, award-winning recording artist.
A sacred assembly is a gathering of Jesus followers in a community for a public event of worship and prayer - specifically prayers of repentance and proclamation - often combined with fasting.
These gatherings, which often take less than 2 hours can be large or small. Believers from a range of denominations in a community, town, county, city or nation come together in a public space for a time of worship and prayer, following an organised pattern.
Bob Perry and Amy Lykosh have put together a sacred assembly manual to help those who want to hold a sacred assembly in their community. The manual is a result of Bob helping organise over 100 sacred assemblies over the last 10 years. He has helped organise sacred assemblies in each of the 95 counties in Tennessee, USA. The largest was in Nashville and involved 100 churches and 5000 attendees. Others were smaller and organised according to context and resources.
A sacred assembly is a wake-up call - what we're doing isn't working - we need help! We don't come with a plan, we come with a plea. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray.." 2 Chron 7v14 The assembly gathers believers from across many lines and denominations, in a public place e.g. outside or in a local government building, to worship and pray.
Auctioneer Chuck Yarbro explained the reason for hosting a sacred assembly. "I got disgusted with myself, always complaining about the condition of our nation, our government, the taxes, military action or inaction. The only thing I'm doing is complaining. Finally I had to look in the mirror and acknowledge: I'm not doing anything to solve these problems. And yet in scripture I have an answer, 'if people humble themselves and pray and seek my face.' "
The most common reasons that people give for holding a sacred assembly are grieving for the condition of their country and the direction their country is going. Add to these other topics e.g. poverty, racial tension, addiction, entrenched sin at a national level, apathy facing the church.
God has a way to turn despair into hope!
Are we ready and willing to take effective action and transform our local communities?
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From a book by Bob Perry and Amy Lykosh, 15/10/2024