At our prayer group in Soho, I shared a ‘vision’ that England would one day be covered in lights which would eventually spread all over Europe. England was to be a point of focus with many prayer groups springing up in all parts of the country, spreading a ‘glow’ all over the rest of mainland Europe. To my surprise, several people witnessed that they too had similar words of knowledge about England.
I was led to focus on the Cathedral which I felt must give the lead to the rest of England. It was important if parishes were to feel secure in this new movement in the Spirit. I felt the need for priests to call out the lame, the blind, the crippled and the lonely. Many felt deserted and alone and Christ seemed to be yearning to call back His people to sanctity and community as well as healing them.
I often went to the Cathedral as there was something about it, perhaps its cosmopolitan feel, which attracted me.
One day whilst praying there in the Cathedral, I suddenly sensed rays of light and felt the place vibrating with an energy which I knew only the Holy Spirit could provide. I knew this place was very much in God’s hand and would eventually become a place of great love and care.
Westminster Cathedral is an amazing building and through the years from its construction in 1896 to the early 70’s it has always been a powerful beacon of prayer and spirituality in the Westminster area. This was despite the fact that it was totally unseen by the constant stream of workers and commuters who sailed past, just out of sight on Victoria Street. Victoria station and the houses of Parliament were connected in a straight line by this busy street, but the Cathedral was blocked from view behind high buildings.
Perhaps it was a sign of a new role God had in mind for it, but in 1975, not long after this experience, they transformed the whole area by demolishing the buildings that hid it from view and created a wide piazza just in front of the main entrance. Now, when passing along the main road, it is impossible to miss. It can be seen in all its Victorian splendour, reminding passers-by of the place of prayer in our busy lives.
Also, a year or’ two later a Friday night prayer group was started in the Cathedral Crypt. This was attended by large numbers and has continued to grow. It is still being held to this day, every Friday at 7.30pm in the Cathedral Hall. As well as this group, many other types of prayer groups meet weekly at the Cathedral.