Thy Kingdom Come Resources
We are so excited by the participation in 'Thy Kingdom Come' with 10's of thousands of people already involved and daily more congregations are joining this great wave of prayer for the evangelisation of our nation. Thank you for all you have done to enthuse churches about this week of prayer.
Emails have been flowing in from far and wide, from parishes across a range of traditions and a variety of locations, from urban town centres to rural parishes, from the centre of England to the USA, from Bermuda to Brussels and Israel they are joining with us to hold prayer and Beacon Events.
Many tell us they plan to host continuous prayer, from 12-1 to 24-7, often partnering with others in their deanery and other denominations in their area. We are also most encouraged to hear of a huge number of special prayer services, prayer walking events, and prayer stations, to name but a few.
We are delighted to share with you the invitational video for the Archbishop Canterbury: https://youtu.be/RJt4DrKhwv4
There has been considerable uptake of the Novena prayer booklet and the 'Pray for 5' leather bands (indeed we have sold out of the leather bands and are having to order more!).
Tickets for the Beacon events over Pentecost weekend are going fast – indeed, Canterbury and Durham Cathedrals have no more tickets but Canterbury will live-stream the service over the internet. In Winchester, where all tickets went in a matter of weeks, screens are being erected outside the Cathedral to allow an additional 2,000 people to participate. These tickets along with a few for Coventry and St Michael Le Belfrey are available – please grab them before it is too late at http://thykingdom.co.uk/beacon-events.
Resources are available to use for the week of prayer. You can download PDF's below:
Resource book A5 Young persons resource book A5
Resource book A6 Young persons resource book A6
We do ask that you continue to hold Thy Kingdom Come in prayer and encourage all to think about how they can take part. There is still time.
Source: Thy Kingdom Come
Every Vote Counts
Praying for the UK, Europe and the EU Referendum
14th May – 2nd July 2016
Every vote counts in this EU Referendum. At the moment many are confused about the issues, what to believe, what to think and ultimately how to vote. We believe the starting point is prayer and fasting, to better understand God's will and purpose for our nation and for Europe.
The political and economic issues are important and so is God's call on these islands and His spiritual purpose for Europe. We believe we are in fast changing times and that God is stirring us to pray for spiritual awakening. As the EU Referendum approaches we are praying that each of our votes count – that God will lead us and guide us so that His will is done among the nations.
Let us seek the Lord and His word afresh, asking the Holy Spirit to replace fear with His peace. Let us come and worship, lifting up the name of Jesus and humbly ask for His mercy and blessing on all the peoples and nations of Europe. Nations of the EU marked with *.
As we ask for His wisdom to engage with the issues He places on our hearts, let's expect Him to lead and guide us.
Use this prayer guide in your homes, small groups, prayer meetings and church services.
The World Prayer Centre will not be making a recommendation on how to vote but we do want to mobilise prayer. A vote is a choice and people will vote in different ways, but we pray for God's sovereignty over the decision and His wisdom as we make that choice.
Download 'Every Vote Counts' prayer guide.
Download 'Praying for the UK, Europe and the EU referendum using the Lord's prayer'
Updated list of resources to help you pray.
We are happy to advertise each prayer meeting for the referendum but given the nature of the debate there are a range of events with different focus. In advertising specific prayer meetings that are for an out or remain position we are not endorsing these positions. Our approach remains clear – we encourage people to make their own voting decision wisely and prayerfully and encourage them to pray with us during the period up to the referendum and beyond. Equally we believe in unity in the body of Christ – especially when we have different opinions but share a desire for God's kingdom to come and his will to be done in this nation and in Europe. Check out our event calendar for EU referendum events.
Call for great wave of prayer across the UK
Churches around Hampshire answer Archbishops' call for 'great wave of prayer' across the country
Churches throughout the Diocese of Winchester have responded to a call from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for "a great wave of prayer across our land, throughout the Church of England and many other Churches". Inspired by the simple, powerful words of the Lord's Prayer, the Thy Kingdom Come marathon of prayer will begin on the 6th of May and culminate at Pentecost on Sunday the 15th of May.
The Diocese of Winchester is leading the way in this national movement, with Hampshire churches pioneering a variety of creative new approaches to prayer. Many are setting up prayer stations which will be manned 24/7 for continuous prayer in the week leading up to Pentecost; others will be going out onto local high streets and into coffee shops offering to pray with people in the community; still more will be performing a Novena Prayer – a nine day long act of worship.
Commenting on the prayer initiative, the Right Reverent David Williams, Bishop of Basingstoke, said: "It's exhilarating to see the way people from parishes across the diocese have taken up this call to prayer with such enthusiasm. Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit and the start of the Church's mission to the world. We will be recapturing something of what happened on that first Pentecost Sunday as Christians across the diocese pray for the confidence to share the good news in the 21st century."
Lyndhurst Deanery creates Clock of Prayer
The call for prayer has given churches throughout the diocese the chance to demonstrate their creativity. In Lyndhurst Deanery, for example, parishioners have taken the idea of continuous prayer and are running with it. On a map, the 13 churches which make up the Deanery resemble a clock with Lyndhurst at 12 o'clock, Lymington at 6pm, Brockenhurst in the centre and other churches spread around the edge representing each of the different hours. In the days leading up to Pentecost, prayer will sweep around the deanery like the hand of a clock, passing from one church to the next. One mobile phone will be passed around the churches and people will be encouraged to send messages to the phone with prayer requests.
Romsey residents invited to 'Say One For Me'
Meanwhile, in Romsey, a prayer meeting will be held in Caffè Nero at 9-10am every day in the lead up to Pentecost. People will be offered a free coffee to enjoy while discussing prayer, and by meeting in a local café rather than a church it will be more accessible to all. During each morning, members of the local congregation will also be out on Romsey's High Street offering to pray for people within the community. They will be asking passers-by for their prayer suggestions and handing out 'Say One For Me' cards which local people can fill out and hand in to offer their prayers. The cards will also be distributed in schools, offices, shops and nursing homes. Later, the 'Say One For Me' cards will be collected at Romsey Abbey and every prayer on every card will be offered. For each prayer given in the Abbey over the period a ribbon will be tied on a frame, creating the new altar front for Pentecost Sunday.
Prayer walks in Alton Deanery
In Alton, churches have answered the Archbishops' call for a great wave of prayer by organising prayer walks every day in the period between Ascension and Pentecost. Members of the congregation will be joined on the walks by others not so familiar with the Church as they walk through less visited areas praying for every community. Speaking of the planned prayer walks the Rev Andrew Micklefield said: "We will walk around different parts of the town each day and pray that we will see it through God's eyes, to see where needs are. Very importantly, we will also have a session afterwards to give feedback to see what we can respond to. We want to see the town differently."
24/7 Prayer
Many parishes in the Diocese will be setting up 24/7 prayer stations, where people can sign up to take part in continuous prayer. These prayer rooms will be erected in a variety of places including churches, schools, homes, and community centres, with people taking turns to maintain the uninterrupted prayer around the clock. Jess Ford of 24/7 Prayer International said: "I'm delighted that people have responded so positively to the idea of non-stop prayer. It's inspiring to think that during the week before Pentecost people will be constantly praying, encountering God day and night. It's our hope that this great prayer movement taking hold of the Diocese of Winchester will inspire others, within the Diocese and beyond, to explore prayer and discover its life-changing power."
The wave of prayer will culminate on Sunday 15th May as more than 3,000 young people will join together for an evening of prayer and worship at Winchester Cathedral to celebrate Pentecost. The service is one of six Beacon Events taking place across the country. The Bishop of Basingstoke will lead the evening, with sung worship guided by internationally renowned singer-songwriter Matt Redman. Intended for young Christians, the event will draw on their enthusiasm and energy, with an inspiring message from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby delivered live via video link.
To find out more about Thy Kingdom Come and to get involved with what's happening near where you live, please visit the Diocese of Winchester website: http://www.winchester.anglican.org/about-us/thy-kingdom-come/
Source: Thy Kingdom Come
Save the date - Trumpet Call 2016
You are invited to our next national call to prayer, Trumpet Call 2016 to be held in the International Convention Centre, Birmingham, on 15 October 2016. This year the theme of the call is Jubilee.
The term Jubilee in the Old Testament was given to the last year of a 50 year period which God instituted for the Nation of Israel to maintain the spiritual, economic and social cohesion of the nation.
The principles of Jubilee are the foundation stones of the Christian faith today, namely, redemption, reconciliation, freedom, mercy and forgiveness, restoration and unity, and they are as important for any nation today as they were in Bible times.
Trumpet Call 2016 will see Churches, Christian Agencies and Prayer Ministries from across our nations standing together to see an increasing release of these great truths through His Church into and throughout 2017. Come and be one of the 3000 people to stand and pray that day.
Put the date in your diary/phone/ iPad and share with your friends. Please pray for us in the planning and funding of this event. We will release more details in the coming weeks.
Ian Cole on behalf of the WPC team.
Watch + Pray for the EU referendum
The World Prayer Centre believes the EU referendum will have profound effects on our nation and on Europe. The vote, and the action the nation takes after the vote, needs to be soaked in prayer. Whatever the result, it takes us into a time of political and economic uncertainty.
We believe this vote is an individual decision and encourage people to pray and listen to God. We each have a choice. At this stage, we shall not be making a recommendation on how to vote - but we shall be seeking God's will and purpose not just for this nation but also for the countries of Europe. We are praying for God's will to be done and for God's mercy on both the UK and Europe.
We believe God's heart is that none should perish and all should come to a knowledge of Him. Whatever the result we shall be praying for the gospel to be preached, shown and heard in our nation and the nations of Europe. The referendum is happening at a time of great spiritual challenge and opportunity, so we pray beyond the political and economic for God's Kingdom purpose, His mercy and deliverance.
We are calling for a season of prayer and fasting from 14 May to 2 July – covering 40 days of prayer up to 22 June, 23 June voting day and for 10 days after.
We will support these 40 days with prayer resources suitable for use for individual and corporate prayer and issue daily prayer alerts on social media. We will launch this resource at our day of prayer and worship on Saturday 14 May (alongside praying for Thy Kingdom Come (the Archbishop's week of prayer for evangelism). We will be focusing on praying for the EU referendum at our 'Every Vote Counts' prayer day on Saturday 18 June. Our Prayer Room will also be open on Voting Day, Thursday 23 June from 9.30am-11.30pm. We will watch and pray over the outcome at our day of prayer on 2 July. Find out more.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU DECIDE
There are a number of resources available for us to prayerfully consider all of the issues from a biblical perspective:
CARE – Read arguments from both sides
Christians in Politics EU Focus information and resources.
Evangelical Alliance's Idea Magazine May- June 2016 will carry many articles on The Europe Issue
Reimagining Europe a multidisciplinary blog hosted by the Church of England and the Church of Scotland with the editorial support of Crucible, the Christian Journal of Social Ethics. Reimagining Europe's central aim is to create a space for Christian reflection and debate on Britain's future relationship with Europe ahead of the forthcoming referendum on whether Britain should remain a member of the EU.
Theos Think Tank – A soul for the union pdf downloadable
The Jubilee Centre is producing a number of discussion papers and articles in the lead up to the EU Referendum.
The Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics (KLICE) are launching extended comment pieces.
The Wall of Answered Prayers
In the first 5 days since a national crowd funding campaign was launched last Sunday (3rd April) to build a prayer landmark in the UK, £10,000 has already been pledged towards the £45,000 target.
The Wall is the vision of vision of Richard Gamble, who 12 years ago carried a cross through Leicestershire.
Richard Gamble is the former Leicester Football Chaplain and International Director of Sports Chaplaincy UK but believes his next task is to build a prayer wall for the nation.
Mr Gamble and a growing team is seeking to construct a Christian symbol, equivalent to the Angel of the North, and a 40 day Kickstarter campaign is attempting to fundraise the initial funds to make this happen.
If the Kickstarter is successful, The Wall will be made up of a million bricks - each brick will represent an answered prayer.
Mr Gamble wants the landmark will be built next to a motorway, so that thousands of people will be able to drive past each day and believe that Jesus is alive and that prayers will be ans
wered.
Speaking about the first £10,000 pledged towards the Kickstarter campaign, Richard Gamble, Director of The Wall said:
"Last Sunday when the Kickstarter was launched, it was described to me like the Nation had opened its wallet to get behind this huge step of faith that has been taken. Initially money came in but in the middle of the week, it slowed right down.
However, I'm excited to see the initial £10,000 pledged and hope this
is the start of a huge sense of growth to see this project come about.
What has inspired me the most in the last 5 days is the number of people from across the world who have heard about this project and given.
I believe this is going to be big and I'd love anyone who share my heart to join the journey!"
To find out more about the work of The Wall Kickstarter, please visit the website: www.thewall.org.uk/kickstarter