It goes without saying that there has been plenty of prayer going on in Nottingham before Nottingham City Prayer came about in 2015!
We recognise that we actually only exist in answer to the prayers of the saints spanning decades, centuries and even millennia!
Some of the more recent history of prayer in Nottingham involves a woman called Ruth Bussell, who in 1960 received a revelation of Nottingham as a city that brings God honour and renown (Jeremiah 33 :9,10) and a “House of Prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). In obedience to God, Ruth assembled a small group to respond to the revelation and a strategy for prayer emerged.
Prayer, with a focus on praise and worship, started in many forms - prayer triplets, neighbourhood prayer watch, prayer camps, prayer walks and nights of prayer. A daily prayer email, called the Daily Bell was established that encourages prayer around 7 pillars of city life: Education; Local government and politics; Health and Social care; Business and Commerce; Media and Arts; Law and Order; and The Church.
Prayer Breakfasts took place at churches located at the “gates “ of the city in the north, south, east and west as God established a prayer watch over the city.
In the year 2000 a significant event took place as this group of prayers, now known as Notts Prayer Network, worked with local churches and the city council to mark the city’s millennium celebrations. Thousands of Christians marched into the Market Square to celebrate Jesus as King. On Easter day of the same year, a celebration was held at Nottingham Castle when a flag was raised declaring “Jesus is Lord, this is His city”.
In January 2011 Ruth died, but the Notts Prayer Network lives on and there is a great cross over between its current leadership and that of Nottingham City Prayer.