10am on Wednesday 14th to 10am on Thursday 11th January
“The Lord has pitched his tent among us“
John 1: 14
The Lord is calling us to pray in this time, in our place. We are dedicating a whole 24hrs to pray – to listen and intercede to the Lord. There will be a range of prayer activities that you can use, as we pray for the world, Croydon, Emmanuel, and ourselves. There will be quiet spaces to listen to the Lord and reflect on his word.
You can just turn up and stay for as long as you like. To ensure every hour is covered, please sign up for a slot, so we have at least one person committed to praying during each hour.
If you’re the first person to sign up for a time slot please choose the ‘first person’ checkbox. If you can’t see a ‘first person’ checkbox scroll down for second, third person etc. But it would be great if we can get all of the hours filled by at least one person first.
The sign up link is here: https://emmanuel.churchsuite.com/events/rlzbh5bo
From 10am to 10pm, you can simply turn up. For security for the hours between 10pm and 6am, please sign up in advance and joining instructions, or email
alison.lawton@emmanuelcroydon.org.uk
The church will be heated, but as it can be cold in January, so please do bring warm clothes, and maybe a blanket, or a hot water bottle.
Gathered Prayer Times
At various points there is the opportunity to gather in the chancel, the front of church, to join communal prayer.
| Wed 14th Jan | |
| 10:00am | Introduction and Lectio |
| 12:00pm | Worship and Prayer with Ministry Team |
| 3:30pm | Family Drop In |
| 5:00pm | Prayer In The Chancel |
| 6:30pm | Youth prayer time |
| 8:00pm | Prayer at the Centre in the main church |
| 9:00pm | Spirit-led Worship |
| Thurs 15th Jan | |
| 8:00am | Morning Lectio |
| 10:00am | Final prayers |
Frequently asked questions
Why are we hosting the 24 hours of prayer?
As we start 2026, we sense that the Lord is calling us to come together again, to listen to what He wants to say to us as a church and as individuals. To dedicate ourselves to Him, for the year ahead. To pray for the World, our nation, Croydon, Emmanuel and ourselves.
We ran the first 24 hours of prayer in September 2025. The feedback was phenomenal, people coming into church and finding it to a Holy Place, where they felt the presence of the Lord. We were drawn to take time to listen to the Lord and to respond in prayer.
Where is 24 hours of prayer taking place?
It is in church. You can access via the door at the top of the stairs / mobility ramp.
Do I have to book to attend during the daytime hours?
No, you can just turn up and stay as long as you like. If you arrive between 10am and 10pm on Wednesday or 6am – 10am on Thursday.
However, there is a booking form on Church Suite. This is because we would love to have 24 hours of prayer cover. It also helps to ensure that you have the time commitment firmly in your diary.
Do I have to book to attend during the evening?
Yes. For security, we need to know if you want to attend from 10pm on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday.
If you want to attend during these hours please book on church suite or email alison.lawton@emmanuelcroydon.org.uk . You will then be sent the access instructions.
Book to confirm a time slot
You can just turn up and stay for as long as you like. To ensure every hour is covered, please sign up for a slot if possible, so we have at least one person committed to praying during each hour.
If you’re the first person to sign up for a time slot please choose the ‘first person’ checkbox. If you can’t see a ‘first person’ checkbox scroll down for second, third person etc. It would be great if we can get all of the hours filled by at least one person first.
The sign up link is here: https://emmanuel.churchsuite.com/events/rlzbh5bo
Is there a particular way that I will be asked to pray?
No! You are welcome to come and sit quietly and pray on your own. As you want.
However, there will be many suggestions that you can use.
Do I need to be experienced and proficient in prayer?
Absolutely not! Everyone is so welcome. Prayer at its most simple is a conversation with the Lord. Using any language that you are comfortable with.
There will be people around if you want to chat about prayer. Each stand will have suggestions and guidance for you to use of you find it helpful.
Will church be silent during the 24 hours?
No! Church is a workplace for the team. People will be carrying on their everyday work during the day. There will be quiet instrumental background music playing. In addition, as you see below, there will be times of gathered prayer and groups are being encouraged to come together to pray together.
Will there be any time when we all join together to pray?
There will be several optional times of gathered prayer in the chancel:
10.00 – 10.15 Introduction and Lectio
12.00 – 12.30 Worship and prayer with Ministry Team
15.30 – 16.30 Family drop in
17.00 – 17.30 Prayer in the chancel
18.30 – 19.00 Youth prayer time
20.00 – 21.00 Prayer at the Centre in the main church
21.00 – 22.30 Spirit-led Worship
8.00 – 8.10 Morning Lectio
9.50 – 10.00 Final prayers
What are some of the prayer themes?
The prayer activities lead us to start with a time of adoration and thanksgiving.
We then will pray that the Lord will pitch his tent in the world, Croydon, Emmanuel. We will commit ourselves to the year ahead.
We will have space to listen to the Lord. To spend time reflecting on verses to help us to focus on the theme – He pitched his tent among us.
Can I come and pray with my team?
If you are involved in one of the teams at church, working with young people, hospitality, adults, the grounds and anything else, this is a great opportunity to come as a team and pray.
Our desire is that everything we do at Emmanuel is underpinned by prayer. We hope that many teams can come together to pray together for the term and year ahead.
Prayer at the Centre
PATC is scheduled from 8-9pm on Wednesday. We will be running this as part of the 24 hours. Come and join us in the front pews of church as we look back with thanksgiving for Christmas, and pray for Prison Fellowship and ministry areas at Emmanuel.
Can I share my prayers?
Yes! We hope that you will share what you think the Lord is saying to us, your prayers of thanksgiving, adoration, your prayers for Emmanuel, the world and anything else. There is great encouragement from shared prayers. After the 24 hours we will collate the prayers and share some via church suite.
Can I share my prayer requests?
There will be a space for you to add any prayers that you would like people to pray on your behalf.
Can I bring my children?
Yes! Everyone is welcome. There will be a specific family friendly time from 3.30 – 4.30pm. But if you can’t make this time you are welcome to come whenever is convenient.
Will there be refreshments available?
You are welcome to make yourself a drink. Tea, coffee, herbal tea and squash will be available. We would be grateful if you wash up your cup and put it away at the end. There will some biscuits. We will not be providing food.
Can I make this a day of prayer and fasting?
If you would choose to fast during the 24 hours please feel free to do so. This will be left to personal choice.
What if I can’t come in person?
If you are not available for these 24 hours but would like to join us you can pray from your home. Focus on the theme verse and pray this over various aspects of life in the world, and the nation, and Croydon, Emmanuel and yourself.
How do I find out more, or get answers to other questions?
You can ask Stuart or Alison. Catch us after church or contact us by email: