Eleanor Mumford reviews ‘Red Moon Rising’ by Pete Greig.
I have recently enjoyed a book on prayer. This has not always been the case!
Over the years most books on the subject have tended to leave me at best feeling mildly depressed, more often totally defeated. That Pete Greig’s wonderful book did neither is commendation in itself. “Red moon rising” is, of course, a reference to the prophecy of Joel quoted in Peter’s sermon at Pentecost and referring to the pouring out of the Spirit on all people, and to the furthest reaches of the earth.
The book is delightfully easy to read which is also quite an attraction, and is both anecdotal and entertaining. It tells the story of the 24/7 movement beginning as it did with a vision of Europe’s hordes of young people while visiting Cape St Vincent, the most southerly point of the continent.
The movement has spread over many continents since and prayer rooms have been set up in the strangest places and amongst the most improbable groups of people. Some of the stories are incredibly heart-warming and I suppose what is so attractive is how easy and accessible and undaunting Pete’s strategies appear to have been.
The ideal is lofty but the bar is low, and the overall effect is to make one want to get together with anybody anywhere to pray, fully expecting that God’s will really can be done on earth as it is in heaven.
