Bromley - a Gateway to London
| There are many ways in which we can pray for the London Borough of Bromley. |
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| We can pray for its people.
We can pray for its leaders. We can pray for its churches, schools, colleges,
nurseries, old people’s homes and hospitals. We can pray for the police
and emergency services, serving its 300,000 residents. We can pray
for its local businesses and the impact of its widely-publicised shopping
centres. We can pray for areas of deprivation and the work of social
services. We could even petition the Almighty over our parking problems,
commuting challenges, our use of parks and leisure facilities, the protection
of our more rural areas and the endless delights and difficulties of suburban
living. All of these are important. They are Bromley life!
But if this is all that Bromley’s Christians pray for, it could suggest
that we are beset by an ‘island’ mentality.
Bromley is an outer London Borough – geographically the largest of the thirty-two London Boroughs. Its border defines a section of the M25. The Inter-continental Shuttle runs on our railway tracks. The A21 passes through our midst, linking inner-London with Kent, Sussex and the coast. Gatwick is some twenty minutes drive away (depending on the time of day and from where in the borough one starts!). We are on bus routes, and a tram route! We are a thoroughfare, not an island. We are gateway in and out of probably the world’s best-known capital city. Those who pray in Bromley, can pray with a watching brief; a role well described for the gatekeepers of Old Testament cities. In biblical times, judgement rested in the gates. The elders resolved disputes there and rights of passage were determined there. The reputation of the city (just or unjust, welcoming or warring), the protection of the city (safe or susceptible), the trade of the city (honest or dishonest), the efficiency of the city (supplies in, rubbish out) and even the worship of the city (sacrifices in, pilgrims in and out) were settled at the gates. Of course, these days the gatekeeper role is figurative. We do not halt the traffic to scrutinise all arrivals and departures. But God still has standards for a city and for a nation and those who understand something of the heart of God know that prayer has a part to play in maintaining godly standards. May God inspire all of us as we pray in, for, through and beyond Bromley. |