David Gilbey has lived in Chelmsford all his life, and since 1980, has been a committed Christian and a member of Life Church, an Elim Pentecostal Church, in the centre of the City. In 2011, he ‘retired’ after 30 years service with Essex Police. For several years before this, he had believed that God had something significant for him to be involved with in his City, but was not sure what.

In August 2014 David attended a Christian summer camp where he clearly heard God call him to start a city-wide Christian prayer movement in Chelmsford.

With the blessing and commissioning of his Church, he immediately left his work with a local social housing provider to pursue this vision. Early in 2015, a Steering Group was formed to take things forward.

We introduced a Prayer Support Team consisting of 20 or so Christians from several local churches, who meet regularly, pray over Chelmsford and who also listen and speak prophetically into what God might be saying to us and for our City.

March 2015, Chelmsford 24-7 was launched with a City and District wide Week of 24-7 Prayer. An estimated 300 people, from over 40 local churches, local Christian groups and organisations signed up online to pray in 1 hour slots. All the 168 hours of the Week were filled.

Looking beyond, David then heard God speak about creating ‘Portable Prayer Spaces’. Transporting and setting up resources to guide prayers, at different churches on various days, for a few hours at a time, these were to be places where people could spend time to encounter God, pray for the City, Nation, World, or anything else on their hearts.

Display boards and resources were developed, and between June 2015 and December 2016, David set up and manned about 135 Prayer Spaces at over a dozen local churches and also in our Cathedral. In those 18 months

we estimate over 1000 people have visited and spent time in them. In 2017 they continue.

Other initiatives

Chelmsford 24-7 Prayer has also initiated and been involved with other prayer and outreach initiatives around Chelmsford. Details can be found here.

Stepping forward

We are currently evolving the way our Prayer Spaces work, so that we work in greater partnership with churches. Some Churches now entirely run their own.

Prayer Walking is also now a part of what we are doing. We are a visible presence in our City Centre and Communities, seeking to bless and pray for the The Kingdom of God to come to our streets.

We have also purchased a gazebo, for use as a Prayer Tent, at community events during the Spring and summer months. Do get in touch if you would like us to consider coming along to your event