40 Days with the Risen Lord have come to an end with Sydney Anglicans gathering to pray, including a five hour vigil at St Philip's, York Street.
The rumbling of city traffic outside was a world away from the sanctuary of quiet prayer and reflection inside the historic building as diocesan organisations, leaders and parishes were brought before God, one at a time, over the five-hour period.
It was one of many other Ascension Day gatherings happening around the Diocese yesterday.
The Sydney branch of Mothers Union (MU) coordinated the diocesan day of prayer, which is held annually and this year linked in with the 40 Days movement, which began on Easter Sunday and finished on Ascension Day (May 5).
Forty Days with the Risen Lord is the first major prayer movement taken on by Sydney Anglicans as part of the Diocesan Mission.
The event has been coordinated by the Bishop of Wollongong the Right Rev Reg Piper and lay worker Sarah Plummer.
It has been taken up with enthusiasm by churches and organisations, who are all praying for the goal of converting 10 per cent of Sydney's population and establishing them in Bible-based fellowships by 2012.
Archbishop Peter Jensen, present at St Philip's, says the Mission relies on prayer to succeed and he hopes 40 Days with the Risen Lord will become an annual event.
Across the harbour, seven parishes in Willoughby City Council area marked Ascension Day by holding their regular time of community prayer and praise at St Stephen's, Willoughby last night.
Rector the Rev Ross Nicholson says praying every day since Easter has been "a bit of a challenging time', but he has seen God at work.
Mr Nicholson prayed that three people from his church would enter full-time ministry, and one of the young men has recently accepted a position as a youth minister after a long search for the right person.
"We're praying for revival in our area," Mr Nicholson says.
"That churches would come alive, people would turn to Christ and regular members would be bold in proclaiming the gospel."
