17 Jul 2026, 10:08Zinze Bishop, Communications & PM Secretary Hackney SDA ChurchHackney, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
In Times Like These, Cease Not to Pray
Hackney Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church experienced a powerful spiritual awakening on Saturday, 4 July, during a transformative Day of Prayer led by Elder Clarence Jackson.
This high day was the culmination of weeks of intense spiritual preparation. Leading up to the event, members of the local prayer team and elders from the South England Conference (SEC) were invited daily to speak on the Hackney and Wood Green prayer line. Operating faithfully since the COVID-19 pandemic, this prayer line has served as a consistent beacon of hope and a sanctuary of refuge for church members and the wider community.
Preaching from 1 Samuel chapter 7, Elder Jackson delivered an urgent wake-up call to the congregation, challenging them with a piercing question: "How is your prayer life? If we are not praying, we are dying."
The message was clear: Hackney must become known as a house of prayer or face spiritual heartache. Elder Jackson warned that putting people who do not follow God into godly positions only breeds confusion, depression, and fighting both on the streets and within the pews.
Return to the Lord, Not Just a Program
Midway through the service, Elder Jackson prayed to be hidden behind the cross as he pleaded for a blessing over the entire congregation. He emphasised that true revival is not merely about returning to a church building or attending a program—it is about returning to the Lord with our whole heart (Deuteronomy 4:29).
To experience divine deliverance and find true purpose, the congregation was urged to clear out spiritual roadblocks:
Put away hypocrisy.
Put away gossip and pride.
Prepare your temple (the body) to serve Him.
"Imagine your life if you return to God and put away everything unlike Him," Elder Jackson challenged. He reminded believers to be confident in their own prayers rather than relying solely on others, warning that spiritual attacks can still come even when you are praying.
Leadership Repentance and Afternoon Revival
The call to action was met with an immediate response. At the close of Divine service, Elder Jackson requested all Hackney leaders to stand, urging them to choose humility, let go of past hindrances, and pray for one another.
The spiritual momentum continued into the afternoon. The congregation stayed behind for small group prayers and moving testimonies. The Prayer Team, led by Sister Eileen Philip, anchored the afternoon sessions with powerful discussions on the Holy Spirit, revival, and confession. The high day concluded beautifully in confession of sins, heartfelt songs of praise, and fellowship.
Hackney Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church experienced a powerful spiritual awakening on Saturday, 4 July, during a transformative Day of Prayer led by Elder Clarence Jackson.
This high day was the culmination of weeks of intense spiritual preparation. Leading up to the event, members of the local prayer team and elders from the South England Conference (SEC) were invited daily to speak on the Hackney and Wood Green prayer line. Operating faithfully since the COVID-19 pandemic, this prayer line has served as a consistent beacon of hope and a sanctuary of refuge for church members and the wider community.
Preaching from 1 Samuel chapter 7, Elder Jackson delivered an urgent wake-up call to the congregation, challenging them with a piercing question: "How is your prayer life? If we are not praying, we are dying."
The message was clear: Hackney must become known as a house of prayer or face spiritual heartache. Elder Jackson warned that putting people who do not follow God into godly positions only breeds confusion, depression, and fighting both on the streets and within the pews.
Return to the Lord, Not Just a Program
Midway through the service, Elder Jackson prayed to be hidden behind the cross as he pleaded for a blessing over the entire congregation. He emphasised that true revival is not merely about returning to a church building or attending a program—it is about returning to the Lord with our whole heart (Deuteronomy 4:29).
To experience divine deliverance and find true purpose, the congregation was urged to clear out spiritual roadblocks:
Put away hypocrisy.
Put away gossip and pride.
Prepare your temple (the body) to serve Him.
"Imagine your life if you return to God and put away everything unlike Him," Elder Jackson challenged. He reminded believers to be confident in their own prayers rather than relying solely on others, warning that spiritual attacks can still come even when you are praying.
Leadership Repentance and Afternoon Revival
The call to action was met with an immediate response. At the close of Divine service, Elder Jackson requested all Hackney leaders to stand, urging them to choose humility, let go of past hindrances, and pray for one another.
The spiritual momentum continued into the afternoon. The congregation stayed behind for small group prayers and moving testimonies. The Prayer Team, led by Sister Eileen Philip, anchored the afternoon sessions with powerful discussions on the Holy Spirit, revival, and confession. The high day concluded beautifully in confession of sins, heartfelt songs of praise, and fellowship.
