4/2/2006 A group of more than 20 intercessors gathered at the Rectory, Southam. People came from all over Warwickshire: Rugby, Coventry, Warwick, Leamington, Solihull. We were joined by others from Oxford, Banbury and Wiltshire.

It was significant that we met at the Rectory at Southam, because this is where there was the first battle or skirmish of the Civil war in August 1642, immediately after war had been declared. Vicky Armstrong, the Rector’s wife told us that she had discovered this from the local museum at Southam. Apparently the Parliamentarians had demanded that the rector ring the church bells announcing that battle was to begin, but the rector had refused. The soldiers were angry and spoiling for a fight. They ransacked the rectory and attacked the rector’s wife so savagely that she died a few days later. (She was probably gang raped.) This was ‘very close to home’ for Vicky and most appropriate that she ‘stand in the gap’ and offer forgiveness to the soldiers for this violation by proxy. She held a canon ball as a symbol of these horrific events. (There was great bloodshed in the battle of Edge Hill, over a thousand killed on each side and no clear victory, although the King claimed that his army had won.)

After a wonderful time of Spirit led worship and prayer, sharing of words and pictures, we drove to the Radway village and walked to the battle field, behind the church. We were followed by a flock of sheep, which we took as a symbol of the Lord drawing his people.

Prayers of repentance for division

1) between Catholics and Protestants/Puritans
2) between Monarchy and Parliamentarians. Issue of the ‘divine right of kings.’
3) between ‘Town and Gown’ (class/power struggle.)
4) within families torn apart and divided loyalties.

Unrighteous bloodshed in the name of the Lord. ‘The blood cries out from the ground.’

Prayers:

1) for souls to be put to rest and against ghost hunting.

Like Samuel with the witch of Endor, ‘Why are you disturbing my rest?’
(1 Samuel 28:15) Ghosts of soldiers and a rider on a white horse, possibly of Prince Rupert, who led a daring cavalry attack, have been seen right up to the present day and there is a current fascination with ghost hunting. NB Question of whether battle re-enactments by ‘The Sealed Knot’ stir up the spirits. Prayed against any spiritual hold this might have had.

2) against the conspiracy of silence: trauma in local people, secrecy and Ministry of Defence bunkers in nearby Kineton.

Gave a shout of victory ref: 1 Samuel 4, when the ark was brought up from the enemy (Philistine camp).

Prophetic acts: cleansing

1) A red flag, to represent the blood of Jesus, was raised as a ‘royal standard.’ ‘His banner over us is love and victory: Jehovah nissi’ was declared.
2) A flag with flames of the Holy Spirit was waved to invite the Holy Spirit to ‘come with cleansing fire.’
3) We lined up shoulder to shoulder like soldiers in the front line and took communion, by passing the bread and wine along the row, followed by
4) the blowing of shofars at each end.
5) Wine was poured out on the ground to cleanse the land
6) bread was strewn as ‘fresh manna’.

Scriptures given/proclaimed

Psalm 139 intimacy with God and cleansing.
Isaiah 59: confession and redemption of sin
Micah 4:3 ploughs and pruning hooks.
2 Corinthians 2:14: triumphal procession
1 Corinthians 15:55 ‘where O death is your sting?
Psalm 24:7 ‘Lift up your heads, O you gates’: Picture of angels and us in white with a door opening.

Mary Kelsey 18/3/06