On Pentecost Sunday, 8 June, the third annual National Day of Prayer was held at Bethlehem Chapel, in Prague.

This historic chapel, founded in the 14th century, is closely associated with the reformer Jan Hus and played a central role in the early Bohemian Reformation.

The three-hour gathering brought together around 400 worshippers from across the country and various Christian denominations to pray for the Czech Republic and worship together.

Worship was led by Gedeon, a group from Eastern Moravia, supported by a team of worshippers with banners.

“The Gedeon band was a pleasant surprise for me, mighty and Spirit-led worship. I didn’t know a single one of their songs, but I didn’t mind at all. On the contrary, it was refreshing to praise our God with a ‘new song’”, said Petr Kácha, a member of the organising team.

During the worship, “most people in the chapel experienced a deep and genuine joy. It felt like participants would have gladly continued worshipping much longer”, he added.

The event was organised by Christians from different denominations, including the Baptist Union, the Apostolic Church (Pentecostal), and the Christian Fellowship (Charismatic), as well as Roman Catholic church, under the coordination of the Czech Wells association.

The program did not include sermons, but focused on blessings and collective declarations of faith.

[photo_footer]Photo: Petr and Hana Kácha.[/photo_footer] 

“Our roots and true identity are Christian”

In one such declaration, participants rejected the notion that the Czech Republic is an atheist nation, affirming instead its Christian roots, that can be traced back to Saints Cyril and Methodius, who introduced Christianity to Moravia in 863.

“Unbelief and atheism are neither our identity nor our historical heritage. Our roots and true identity are Christian... Come, Holy Spirit, and ignite true faith in the hearts of the people”, the statement read.

Repentance and prayer

Another focus of the gathering was the call to remove the “root of bitterness” within the national identity. This bitterness arose from historical events when men used their power instead of allowing space for God.

“We recalled the Scripture: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts’ (Zechariah 4:6). We repented for times in history when the Church resorted to violence”, explained Kácha.

Participants also prayed for boldness in following Christ and for the spread of life and hope. Everyone had the opportunity to write down the name of someone they wanted to pray for, regularly, “so that they may receive new grace and hope”.

Pastors from international congregations were invited on stage and blessed in their ministries within the Czech Republic. Throughout the event, attendees could submit prophetic words received during prayer time to an online form.

[photo_footer]Photo: Petr and Hana Kácha.[/photo_footer] 

Unity

“It was precious to see and experience the unity of Christians in our country. Both in the leadership and among the worshippers and dancers,as well as throughout the chapel. Catholics and Protestants were represented. We can stand together in the unity of the Spirit before our Heavenly Father”, said David Loula of Czech Wells.

Jakub František Sadílek, the Provincial of the Franciscan Order in the Czech Republic, added: “I feel that God delights in the prayers of Christians who pray together, even across denominational lines. I sense that our cooperation, unity, and shared prayer are growing”.

This article was translated and adapted with permission from Život víry (Life of Faith) magazine in the Czech Republic.

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