A Night on the Town.....
 It is December 21 st – 2am in the morning and the weekend before Christmas. The streets of Ipswich are buzzing, the Town Pastors are out on patrol. In the CYM centre in Great Colman Street the midnight oil is being burned as two of the members of the Town Pastor prayer team are in the middle of a busy shift. The radio is constantly sending out messages and the Town Pastors are reporting a ‘change in atmosphere’ on the streets as the night progresses and more people pile out onto the streets. On cue the phone rings – it is a member of the home prayer team, phoning in for an update as they begin their hour long shift. A good time to ring as the radio has just crackled into life with news of yet more potential trouble brewing outside Pals.
In the Prayer Room tonight are Andy (from St Helen’s) and Len (from Burlington). Andy has been on the Prayer Team for about two years now, and Len for 8 months. Once a month they make their way at 9.40pm, with the Town Pastors, down into the Town Centre ready to provide prayer back up and support for the team going out on the street. It’s going to be a long night tonight – this shift will not finish until after 4am, but it’s warmer indoors than out there!
Asked about their role they both replied that they are there to respond immediately in prayer to situations as they arise. They are ‘on the spot’, able to encourage the Town Pastors and really feel a part of a big work of God, and a wonderful team.
Does prayer make a difference? The answer is ‘Yes, immediately’. Andy says, “We have prayed for situations and they have stopped. We pray for things to calm down, and they do. We pray for individuals the Pastors let us know about, and God answers.”
I asked Len whether being a part of the Prayer Team has changed him. His reply took no thinking about. “Yes. It has given me a keener awareness of what is going on in the town, and it has been great to meet folks from other fellowships and given me a real sense of being part of the wider Church in Ipswich.”
Surely it must be difficult praying for six hours in the middle of the night??? Len says “No. The Town Pastors come in and out at different times, the home prayer team phone in, there is tea and toast to be made, the radio updates us – I’ve been surprised at how quickly the time passes.” Andy adds, “There is the odd hour where you get sleepy, but then you wake up again!! We pray as we feel led, and one prayer leads to another.”
As 4am approaches the Town Pastors gradually begin to come in, two by two. The washing up is done, the coats and bags tidied away ready for the next shift, radios logged off and put on charge. Time for a short debrief, and Andy leads in a final prayer before the team makes it’s way back to the Car Park and home to bed for what’s left of the night. Another shift has passed safely; people have been helped on the streets, peace has been restored, and God has been – as ever – faithful.
| 
