By Lynne Pillitteri, Jubilee Church Wirral

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us.

1 John 5:14

I know that God hears my prayers. I also know that His answer comes in one of three forms: Yes, no or not yet. What I don’t always know is, if I am praying according to his will.

When Covid restrictions began to relax I really believed God put on my heart to organise a way of helping friends of Jubilee to reconnect with us and each other, such as lunch club regulars as well as new friends made through the Good Neighbour Project. I spoke with others from church and they felt the same – so it must be God, right? And so Jubilee 121 coffee mornings began towards the end of last year. With great enthusiasm, I sent invitations, recruited bakers and told everybody I met.

The first couple of weeks were quiet – very quiet. Well, that’s ok, I thought, new events often start slowly then build. I prayed with others and alone for God to bless 121 with the people he wanted us to connect with and against any obstacles preventing people coming. The next couple of weeks remained quiet – well, it’s cold isn’t it? And some people are wary of mixing – right?

For our Christmas session I had planned a ‘God slot’ and games but alas not enough people stayed long enough to do that. So now I am really starting to think, 121 may not be a God thing….but a Lynne thing, YIKES! The printing and advertising has been done now!

We listened when it was suggested to change our time to the afternoon and with firm expectation we started back in the new year. Nope, no change, the same few (lovely) people joined us. It’s about now I realised that my answer wasn’t “no” but “look who I have sent you – don’t worry about others.” We really enjoyed our next afternoon, hearing all the news and views of our faithful few.

Praying before our next coffee afternoon I jokingly said to God “Suppose there is no point asking for a bus load today?” Then it happened, 10 new people with their carers arrived, cleared us out of cake and had a thoroughly nice time! Knowing they had travelled some, I asked if they had come on public transport and was told “Oh no, we have our own bus”!

What an amazing father we have and what an answer to prayer. These lovely people now come each week.

Waiting for an answer to prayer can be so difficult but we can relax in the knowledge that Jesus ALWAYS has the right answers.

Lynne Pillitteri, Jubilee Church Wirral