Transforming Potch through Prayer

“As in Heaven, so in this city” is the vision and slogan for prayer circles that started popping up around Potchefstroom under the guidance of Potchefstroom resident Hanri De La Harpe.
Hanri describes the movement as “a Holy Spirit driven prayer ministry that aims to transform South Africa through prayer”.
The Potchefstroom Christian community drives the initiative titled ‘Potch prayer circles’. They started as a way to combat the widespread deterioration throughout Potchefstroom with spiritual prayer. “The movement has now spread to other towns in South Africa, with over 120 prayer circles registered on the national Prayer Circle registration list,” Hanri says.
“The vision is based on the Lord’s Prayer, instructing us how to pray: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). We believe through dedicated prayer, each town and suburb can transform into a safe and beautiful place where everyone lives together in peace and harmony.”

Hanri explains that the prayer circles convene in parks or other public areas as it is neutral ground. One of the aims is to unite Christians, regardless of their denomination. A cross inscribed with “As in Heaven, so in this town” is planted at each prayer circle as a Biblical declaration that they have dedicated the area to God.
These prayer circles convene at 18:00 every Monday to pray for transformation in Potchefstroom.

“We hope to raise awareness of this movement and magnify the Lord’s Name,” says Hanri.
“We also hope it will help believers in Potchefstroom to start working together and stand up in their role as believers and ambassadors for Christ.”
Prayer circles have started in various suburbs, including Baillie Park, Ikageng, Promosa, the Bult, Vanderhoff Park, and Mieder Park. The elderly of Potchefstroom are also pulling their weight at Samuel Broadbent’s prayer circle under the leadership of Maria Maree.

A new prayer circle is also underway in De Land. A cross has been planted in the park opposite the Potchefstroom Hospital, and this prayer circle, under the leadership of Pearl-Joy Cornellison, focuses particularly on praying for sick people. A new prayer circle recently started at Snowflake Venue under the guidance of Martie Bothma.
Martie says its purpose is to dedicate the area to God and pray against the deterioration, crime and pollution there.
Martie painted a cross under the N12 bridge to indicate the convening point for prayer.

She recently initiated a cleanup session under the bridge to improve the surroundings of the prayer circle.
Until prayer circles are established in every suburb, Christians of all denominations can join established ones .
People aware of problems like pollution and crime in their suburbs and wish to establish a prayer circle should contact Hanri at 083 280 3283 or PearlJoy at 072 851 3542. If you want to join an existing prayer circle in your area, contact Hanri or Pearl-Joy to get in touch with the leader.