The first Scottish 24-7 Prayer rooms opened in Edinburgh sometime in 2000, not too long after the movement was born in Chichester, England. Since then there have been a few every year… mostly in churches, some at the Edinburgh Festival, and some ‘on-the-road’.

Then, in November 2009, something happened which accelerated the spread of 24-7 Prayer into towns and cities all over Scotland. Pete Greig was invited to speak at a meeting of leaders from across Scotland – church leaders and prayer leaders, leaders of para-church groups and business leaders too. After Pete’s talk, during the dialogue that followed, these leaders began to express their desire for Scotland to once again be known as a nation of prayer. They shared dreams, confessed frustrations, apologised to one another, and prayed together. And into this faith-filled dialogue someone suggested mobilising a year of non-stop prayer across Scotland, a year called ‘The Big IF…’, based on 2 Chronicles 7v14; “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The idea took off. Alpha Scotland offered to set up a simple website and to organise the year-long rota, and within days churches began to sign up. Ahead of schedule (originally, the year of prayer was due to start in February 2010), the first Scottish church opened their 24-7 Prayer room on 1st January. Since then, churches and groups all over Scotland have found themselves praying with renewed vigour, with commitment, and with purpose.

Here are a few stories from that year of prayer across Scotland;

• Kilsyth, October 2010
• Fenwick, August 2010
• St Andrews University, June 2010
• Secondary School, Auchinlech, September 2010

Then, in September 2010, 24-7 Prayer held it’s tenth anniversary celebration conference in Edinburgh. This was a wonderful moment to reflect on the year of prayer so far, to gather with leaders and friends from all over Scotland, and to identify a new team, who have since taken on the leadership of 24-7 Prayer in Scotland, and are now responsible for the overall priorities, strategy and budget for 24-7 Prayer in Scotland… catalysing prayer, mobilising mission and training leaders in their nation..

24-7 Scotland Team

Debbie Meehan encourages churches and organisations to pray 24-7, liaising with and working alongside many other Christian prayer movements in Scotland. She is also developing Prayer Spaces in Schools in Scotland, along with Alpha and Scripture Union. Debbie, and her husband Steve, are based with Southside Church in Ayr.

Anna Wakeling volunteers alongside Debbie, supporting groups and churches in Scotland who are praying 24-7. She is also based with Southside Church in Ayr.

Tim May networks amongst students in Scotland. He encourages them to host 24-7 Prayer rooms, and to develop a lifestyle of passionate prayer, mission and justice. Tim is based with Morningside Baptist Church in Edinburgh.

Paul Davie leads Alpha Scotland and is a key part of the 24-7 Prayer team in Scotland. He provides invaluable support, wisdom, leadership and encouragement amongst the team.

The team receive support and advice from a number of key leaders and friends, including Karl Martin (Morningside Baptist Church), Alan McWilliam (Whiteinch Church, Glasgow), Howard Espie and others.

‘So what’s the vision?’ by Debbie Meehan

You can connect with the 24-7 Scotland Team here, or through the 24-7 Prayer Scotland facebook page or by e-mailing Debbie on debbie.meehan@24-7prayer.com.