New prayer group to offer hope

A new prayer initiative intended to serve up hope and encouragement to help Barbadians cope with mounting challenges has been set up.

Nat’s Prayer Café was officially launched on the beach at the Sea Breeze Hotel in Maxwell, Christ Church this morning.

Nat’s Prayer Café will be venturing into communities and places of business across the island to meet people wherever they are “to offer prayer, the word of God, encouragement and hope”.

Founder of Nat’s Prayer Café Natalie Murray said the group, which can be found on social media platforms, currently has a membership of about 50 people and others are free to join.

“This café intends to go across the entire Barbados because it will be a mobile café. We are going to go to blocks, we are going to go to places where the homeless hangout, we are going to go to businesses and we will have prayer drives, prayer conferences, prayer walks, prayer breakfasts, prayer challenges. We want to have a prayer revival in Barbados, we want to have a II Chronicles chapter 7: verse 14 experience right here in Barbados,” she said.

“I want to challenge and encourage churches, individuals to come on board with Nat’s Prayer Café, I want to challenge businesses to come on board with Nat’s Prayer Café, I want to encourage churches and the entire Barbados community to come on board with Nat’s Prayer Café . . . I challenge the entire Barbadian community to join me in going out and offering hope and healing and encouragement to all Barbadians,” said Murray.

The 45-year-old said after surviving a brain tumour two decades ago she knew she had something good to share with others. However, Murray said it was at an Intercessors-300 Pray Up Barbados session that she got “the vision from God to launch Nat’s Prayer Café”, and with the help of several people she was able to bring it to fruition.

“I decided to act not only for myself, but for that boy or girl who think that the world is in total chaos and need hope, for that homeless man or woman who would have given up completely on life, for that individual who probably would have gotten a bad diagnosis, that is the reason I have decided to start this prayer café,” said Murray.

“I am here today because I know the power of prayer. In 2002 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and because of the power of prayer I received my healing in the mighty name of Jesus. I am grateful that God chose me. I am grateful that God trusted me, I am grateful that I did not allow my fears and feelings of inadequacy to stop me from showing up here today,” she said.

Thanking those who have been instrumental in her putting her plan into action, Murray said she received coaching and encouragement from a number of people over the years.

Nat’s Prayer Café is expected to start its first prayer session on Thursday  around 4 p.m. in Independence Square, where members will pray with the homeless. There will also be a three-day prayer challenge next week where individuals will receive “prayer strategies”, said Murray. (marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)