Picnic, prayer and praise in Pembroke

Far from dampening everyone’s enthusiasm the spasmodic outbreaks of rain only seemed to fan the flames at the latest ‘Picnic Prayer and Praise’ that was held recently in Pembroke Castle.

‘This is turning into an eagerly anticipated event’ said organiser Pastor Rob James. ‘We had to cancel last year’s gathering because it coincided with the death of the Queen, but to our delight Christians gathered from all over Pembrokeshire to celebrate our unity and to pray and praise the Lord for all He does for us, not least for overruling the weather so that we can witness for Him in this historic place’. 

Worship was led by representatives from several local churches as well as a group from the Korean London Central Church, but it would not have been an authentic ‘Picnic Prayer and Praise’ without the presence of ‘Sound of Wales’. 

Voicing their enthusiasm for the event Cath Woolridge said ‘It was a joy and privilege for Sound of Wales to be a small part of Worship in the castle. As we gathered to pray throughout the day as a team - in the castle grounds - a place of legacy of kings, it jolted us into intercession about praying that the King of Kings would come and take his rightful place in Pembroke and in Wales. 

As we gathered with 700 people that day and sang together ‘Jesus we enthrone you, we proclaim you are King – standing here in the midst of us, we raise you up with our praise. As we worship build your throne, come Lord Jesus and take your place’ my heart was moved, challenged and stirred. Had this been a day where King Charles was visiting the castle, you can imagine the pomp. Yet here we were, a bunch of wonderful riff raff sons and daughters, soaked in the rain – with the King of Kings in our midst. Welcomed ‘as we are’ in our soaking wet states, yet not left as we were – as our hearts expanded at the exponential revelation of ‘The king of all kings is amongst us. 

No pomp – but Oh was there praise, no regalia but a recognition of our redeemer that made us dance in the rain and head home with muddy trainers and hearts ablaze!  Oh make our Wales, in your own image Lord!’