The first Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in five years has been held in Southampton. It was held in the Mayor’s Parlour in the Civic Centre and brought together leaders from churches of all denominations, council leaders and local charities to pray for God’s blessing on the city, its residents and decision makers.
The last Prayer Breakfast was held in March 2020 just before the Covid lockdown.
Paul Woodman, City Life Church leader said, “I think we have got fond memories of 2020 when we got together just before lockdown and were able to pray for the city and pray for hope, as we went into the lockdowns together. This year I think we still worry about so many things that are happening in the world, happening in our country, happening in our city, and so rather than worry about it we thought we’d come together and pray together as leaders, and pray for the things that matter. We all share a common sense of compassion and care for our city.”
Lord Mayor of Southampton Cllr James Baillie said, “I think it’s a very important opportunity to get Christians in the city together to pray for the city, particularly near the start of the civic year, and especially here in the Civic Centre, which is a place where decisions that affect hundreds of thousands of people are made. As a Christian, I believe it’s important that prayer should be a part of civic life, and to ask God to help the decisions we make.”
Around 50 people attended the prayer breakfast which included a short bible reading from Philippians 4:6-7 and an address by Bishop Rhiannon. There was a song and then a chance to break into small groups to give thanks for God’s work in the city and pray for the needs and the challenges it faces.
Revd Tony Palmer, Vicar of Holy Saviour Bitterne and Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, said, “I think it’s just amazing to be able to get leaders from across the city, from all the different churches and from the council together to pray and to really put God at the centre of what’s going on in Southampton. It’s not often that we are able to get together in a big group and do things collectively, so I think it’s exciting to be able to do that here and hopefully it will continue to be a regular event.”
He added, “There’s always lots of things to pray for. I’ve got a particular heart for children and young people, and I know we’ve got the lead cabinet member for children and young people here today. He’s a Christian, and he’s passionate about seeing the welfare of children and young people improve in the city, which is amazing. It’s a real privilege to gather and pray for that issue, as well as the many others that I’m sure are on the list for today”.
Prayer points had been provided by those working within different sectors of the city including the voluntary organisations, local government, health and social care, the judiciary, the Port of Southampton, education and young people, business and commerce and our churches and faith groups.
Bishop Rhiannon said, “I just think it’s wonderful to get together all these church leaders and others including people from the council. We’re all here at the invitation of the Lord Mayor to pray for the city and for the wider world today. It’s just great that people are meeting together today. I think God loves it and something special happens in the heavenlies. I think just talking to people, they seem to be really pleased to see each other and to gather around prayer again.”
The gathering finished with a closing prayer. It’s hoped the prayer breakfast will become an annual event in the city.
