Prayer and mission flowing together
Jane Holloway the National Prayer Director at World Prayer Centre gives her unique perspective on prayer and mission flowing together and God is moving.
In this year of the extraordinary and prophetic promise for harvest, we are hearing afresh the call by the Holy Spirit for His Church to rise up and stand where He has positioned us to pray and work for His Kingdom to come. As we see the fault lines being more sharply exposed across our society, across our UK nations and within the body of Christ, the invitation to ‘stand in the gap’ and intercede for the broken, the lost and those without hope and offer the good news of Jesus is becoming more and more urgent.
We give thanks for all that is happening as we see prayer and mission flowing more strongly together. For example:
Thy Kingdom Come 25 May-4 June 2017
We saw millions of Christians around the world joining in unity to pray Thy Kingdom Come... Come Holy Spirit. See Archbishop Justin Welby’s report: https://vimeo.com/221257778
Pray that every person, group, church, group of churches, Diocese which took part will recognise the vital role of prayer in their rhythm of mission and ministry and that all will continue with the pledge2pray for 5 people known to them to come to know Jesus as the year unfolds.
The Turning
They have just released its annual report https://www.facebook.com/theturning.eu/
‘We have had an incredible first year at The Turning and we are so excited for what is to come! We have seen 'ordinary' Christians do extraordinary things as they step out to tell people of the love of God. We have seen amazing unity between churches. We have seen many, many people respond on the streets in towns and cities across the UK and France.
The Turning’s national Mission to Wales is this week: 6 - 15 July, 2017 across 18 locations in Wales, with 125 churches involved.
A testimony: ‘Today I’ve been out with about 30 people from The Turning in East Bristol, people of all ages, including children excited and prepared to go to tell people on the streets about Jesus. How inspiring! What was also inspiring was, that indeed, people DID want to hear about Jesus and responded in prayer, and to his tough. One man said to me “I felt God touch me”.
Pray for God’s continued protection and provision as churches get ready to link up with The Turning and its training and follow up and especially for Wales this week!
HOPE 2018
What a privilege it has been to be on the Leadership Team since 2006 when we first started out with HOPE08. Many thousands are praying each Friday with Friday Focus to see God’s kingdom break out in our communities as we prepare for the year of mission in 2018. There is a new HOPE 2018 video to help us spread the word. You can download it here to share with your group, church and groups of local churches.
Pray for every church to be involved in prayer, action and word mission in 2018!
Great Commission Website
This is an answer to many of our prayers enabling so many resources for prayer and evangelism as well as access to real stories of how people across the UK are having their lives turned around by Jesus https://greatcommission.co.uk.
Pray for much fruit to result from this website and all the partners working with this so that many people find faith in Jesus and are equipped to talk about Jesus.
JustOne - Emirates Stadium 8th July
Join us in praying for J John and his team as they introduce people to the Prince of Peace and the hope He offers. www.justone.co.uk
St Paul’s exortation
In 2 Timothy 1-4 encourages us so we can encourage others to:
Keep prayer a priority (v1) and not allow our walk with God to get squeezed and reduced by the demands made upon us.
Ensure our prayer is creative and resourced by the Holy Spirit (v1) as He guides from His word and prays through us using the different giftings .
Remember that prayer is a vital part of God's plan to bring in His Kingdom, as we:
- Take up our responsibility to pray for all leaders (v2)
- Especially for those involved in Northern Ireland Assembly talks in these days and weeks so that His Kingdom is worked through in every decision made .
- Play our part through our prayers and actions so that His presence may be made known in our communities (v2)
- A number of us in the Houses of Prayer network have felt led to have some designated times of worship and prayer in these next weeks as we call out for protection for our nations in light of the terrorism threat especially with so many people on the move and at events during the summer holidays. Do continue to use the Coastlands and Gateways strategic call to pray..
- Persevere in praying for those we love, know and meet (v4) – that they would come to know Jesus
Caleb Prayer
O High King of Heaven,
Have mercy on our Land.
Revive your Church.
Send the Holy Spirit for the sake of the lost, the least, and the broken.
May your Kingdom come to our nation.
In Jesus’ mighty name.
Amen.
Copyright www.ffald-y-brenin.org
3 Things to see a change in your work life
Last week, I was at a city prayer breakfast for the business community. One of the speakers had run London Underground, where he would get regular night time calls about potential terrorist threats and a range of other issues. Now he leads the UKs largest rail franchise facing regular passenger complaints, constant Government contact and serious disagreements with some belligerent unions. The guy is a committed Christian in one of the most demanding jobs in the country. He depends on people supporting him in prayer, and being prepared to stand with him when the pressures mount.
It is easy to see him as being on the front line. He is constantly watched, his behaviour is commented on. People are asking – “can we see Jesus in his life”? Many Christians in the workplace are finding the going is tough. The hours continue to grow, the pressures mount and people fight desperately to balance their commitment to work with their commitment to family and church. We believe that Christians in the workplace have a ministry. They are on the frontline with hurting people, whose marriages are crumbling, finances are stretched, they have ageing parents, they suffer stress and uncertainty.
At last week’s prayer breakfast we were reminded that “whole people” go to work. They are more than their job description. They have hopes, fears, concerns and aspirations. The workplace can be God’s place. For many years I exchanged email messages every week with a small group of other business people so we can pray for each other in work. There are many times when I have sat in demanding meetings thinking “the guys are praying for me, I should expect wisdom, bless this meeting Lord.”
3 things to do to see a change in your working life:
- Get regular prayer support - The model of a small group meeting from time to time and praying for each other by phone, email or Whatsapp works brilliantly. I have seen so many miracles in the workplace and sometimes I have just been able to stand with colleagues as they hit hard times. My prayer partners have stood with me through job and career changes and blessed me every week. God cares about the workplace.
- Offer your working week to God in prayer – invite God into your working week and every morning can make a huge difference. Asking God to show you what you need to do when, who to speak to and who not to. God shows up and it makes a really impact when we are led by Him in our working days.
- Pray for the business sector and friends who work in business – We reap what we sow, so when we pray for the business sector and our work colleagues, we will also reap the rewards of those prayers as we begin to see God move.
Steve Botham is the Director of World Prayer Centre and he comes from a business background, having worked in senior roles in HR and Training in the Motor Industry and Financial Services.
Lord! Heal our Land
Steve Botham shares some feedback from Alistair Petrie's recent visit to the UK for the 'Healing the Land' tour.
Alistair and Marie Petrie, along with the World Prayer Centre team travelled across the nation during May to talk about Healing the Land. Alistair packs a huge amount of research and thought into his teaching and we will not attempt to give a full summary here. More can be got from his books and teaching material. But he had some very key messages to give and we want to capture some key themes.
The land is mentioned 1717 times in scripture, it is a major theme. God is constantly reviewing our stewardship of the land and the Word gives a range of pictures of dry and unproductive land and of land in abundance and harvest. We had one day for farmers and the rural community and Alistair spoke of his friend Jim who has seen his yield rise from 10,000 bushels an acre to 100,000 bushels and who exports to 80 countries. After confessing some sin on the land from his father’s time God healed his land and brought spectacular increase. So healing the land can have a clear physical impact, but it also links to those whose ministry is in the city, here the land maybe our streets, businesses, schools and community but God still wants to bring blessing.
What causes “dryness” and lack of fruitfulness on the land? It can be issues like pride, denominationalism, disunity, a spirt of control, fear, a famine of the word of God, immorality, negative words or curses, or bloodshed. These issues can give access to the demonic. The starting point for healing will be seeking God’s wisdom and doing some research.
Authentic transformation starts with seeking God’s presence and asking Him to bless our ministry whether it be in business, government, the community or the church. We need to commit to humility, holiness, unity, integrity, openness and God shaped prayer. Alistair talks about seeking God and asking questions – why is there no revival? Why are non-Christians blinded to the truth? What are the barriers to God moving? What do we need to repent of? As we seek God we are waiting on a vision – what will it look like when the spirit is moving here? What will happen when God is the “boss” of the city? What will happen when there is high expectancy and hunger in the church?
Alistair talked about the fear of the Lord. This is mentioned 365 times in the scripture. It focuses on fear like that of sons who are fully focused on obeying and pleasing their father. They want to be right with Him and have a deep appetite for His awesomeness. Paul tells the Philippians “work out your salvation (live your Christian life) with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12. Psalm 25.14 says “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.” This is a remarkable verse of promise – as we learn to fear the Lord and put Him above everything else we enter into covenant with Him.
Finally it was very helpful to have Alistair’s perspective on what is happening in the UK at the moment. As someone who frequently travels the globe to see revivals and moves of God in many countries he was very encouraged by the spiritual changes and deeper hunger in the UK. He said we are in a time of shaking – characterised by a range of ‘suddenlies and unexpected things’ His belief is that God is shaking the UK to inform. Purify, direct and correct His church.
To find out details of Alistair Petrie's next visit to the UK, join the WPC mailing list on our home page.
Rev. Dr. Alistair Petrie is the Executive Director of Partnership Ministries, a global ministry that teaches the principles and relevance of the Gospel and its relationship to the Marketplace. Partnership Ministries is positioned as a ministry for the 21st Century Church and combines prayer and research in order to prepare Communities, Cities, Nations, and the Marketplace for lasting revival, authentic transformation and the release of Kingdom culture. His most recent book - In Holy Fear - was released in 2015 which addresses the topic of the Fear of the Lord in a prophetic and practical manner as the "missing ingredient" for authentic community transformation.
A CALL - 10 days of concerted prayer
There is an escalation of turbulence across the globe, evidenced in a series of significant events. We are particularly aware of this in the UK having suffered two terrorist attacks in London, one in Manchester and, what appears to be a revenge attack in North London, as well as the shocking towering inferno in Kensington, with the loss of many innocent lives. All these events have taken place within the period of a remarkable General Election. The Lord has already positioned and mobilised His people and prayer is rising across the nation.
WE SENSE THERE IS A HEIGHTENED CALL TO WATCH AND PRAY IN THE COMING TEN DAYS. This is not based on any understanding or interpretation of what is happening, but rather, a simple response to the prompting of God’s Spirit. In obedience, we are sharing this prompting with as many as possible.
We have been led to pray for God’s Word to be released across the UK. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrows; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account”. (Heb. 4.12-13). The eyes of the world are on Britain right now. As we, through our prayer contend for these islands, we believe this will also impact the nations of the world.
We are not proposing a specific strategy for prayer. We believe God’s Spirit will lead people in how to pray on a day to day basis and that during this time He will bring revelation. We are aware that the Queen’s speech, a cause for contention, is tomorrow, the day of a major pagan celebration. If you prefer to have a written form of prayer there is one overleaf, written by one our members several years ago. We were reminded of this having recently received a prophetic word, which may also inform our prayers:
“I equip you with the sword of the Holy Spirit. Use it to cut the strings connecting the puppets to the puppet-master. Keep doing this until they fall. Then you may restore my name to people’s lips and my authority to the structures of human authority. My people, I would remove those who exercise power without my authorisation and replace them with those whom I endorse. Whatever they say or do, you retain the power of prayer and the gifts only faith can receive. You do make a difference – so use these gifts for me.”
For those in the Manchester area, there will be a Maranatha ‘First Sunday’ gathering on 2nd July, immediately following this period of concerted prayer. Our theme will be ‘Contending for the Nation’. We encourage you to share this call with all those who are concerned for Britain at this time.
Jesus says “I will l give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt.16.19). “In fact no-one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man” (Mk.3.27).
A PRAYER
for each nation of the United Kingdom
In the Name of Jesus and by His Power and Authority:
We bind our nation to the Blood of Christ Jesus.
We bind the Church, the Body of Christ, to the control of the Holy Spirit,
to the Cross and its Truth
We bind all unborn babies to the care of Almighty God.
We bind the Judaeo-Christian family tradition and all communication between
parents and children to the divine control of the Holy Spirit.
We bind all marriages with cords of God’s Supreme Love.
We bind the sexuality of the people of this nation to the purity of Jesus Christ.
We bind the media and all art forms to the righteousness of Jesus.
We bind our Government to the sovereign control of the Holy Spirit
and the will of Almighty God.
We bind the feet of our nation’s people, to the control of the Holy Spirit
and the Light of God’s Word.
We bind the strong man’s power over our nation and take back his plunder.
In the Name of Jesus Christ – the Name above all names:
We loose from our nation the spirit of antichrist.
We loose from our nation all lying spirits.
We loose from our nation’s unborn babies, the spirit of death.
We loose from all who are vulnerable to suicide and euthanasia, the spirit of death.
We loose from our nation all spirits of adultery and promiscuity.
We loose from our nation spirits of distorted sexuality.
We loose the peoples of this nation, from witchcraft, sorcery,
and all contact with the occult.
We loose from the Church counterfeit gospels and spirits of idolatry.
We loose from our land spirits of rejection.
We loose all illicit trade from our shores.
We claim purity, truth, justice and righteousness for our land.
We thank you Almighty Father that whatsoever is bound and loosed on earth is bound
and loosed in heaven in Jesus’ mighty Name.
AMEN
Download the call as a PDF document
Source: Maranatha Community
Praying for our youth over the Summer
The summer holidays are almost upon us, heralding the start of a wide range of Christian activities involving our young folk across Scotland. There are 25 Scripture Union holiday clubs and missions planned in association with local churches which will reach many hundreds of children and youth. Many local churches will also be running their own week-long holiday clubs and other summer events drawing in thousands.
There are 46 SU holiday activity events which, based on previous years, will involve around 1,500 young folk, and several hundred youth and young adults will be at Lendrick Muir in Kinross in the first week of August for Soul Survivor Scotland 2017.
These and many other events and activities provide a rich opportunity to impact our young generation for the Gospel and introduce them to Jesus. There are hundreds of testimonies over many years of how important being at one of these camps has been in a person’s journey of faith, of how they were helped and guided into making a decision to commit their lives to Jesus.
Please pray:
- for the safety and security of everyone involved in organising and taking part in every club, camp, event or other activity – if there is one happening in your church or near you – commit to pray for it each day it is on;
- for health, strength and energy for the teams leading each club, camp etc.;
- for wisdom and discernment to handle all the situations that will no doubt arise, and that each team would model and demonstrate the love of the Father to each child and young person attending;
- for a wide variety of creative ideas to interest, excite and engage all ages;
- that each club etc. would be more successful than the organisers dared to believe, with significant numbers either making a commitment to or wishing to know more about Jesus, and developing a hunger to get to know God’s Word;
- that the transforming of many young lives would in turn contribute to transforming their homes, schools, colleges and communities.
Source: Pray for Scotland
It is time!
Across the nation people are saying “It is time to pray.” No wonder we have been rapidly plunged into a time of confusion and uncertainty. Terrorism has created fear and suspicion and we have the grief of devastated parents, families and friends and the increasing pressure on our public services.
The Grenfell Tower fire has added to that fear and grief and created a sense of rage against greed and lack of care that exposed so many people to the fast spreading flames.
The political uncertainty surrounding a hung parliament and a Prime Minister who many see as ‘damaged goods’ is creating a lack of confidence – happening so soon before complex and difficult Brexit talks adds to the nation’s vulnerability.
On top of all this, we have a range of vitriolic attacks on Christian politicians that either causes them to water down the gospel or risk being silenced in a range of areas.
A CALL TO PRAYER
The United Kingdom urgently needs your prayers. In June and July, we are asking church leaders to give prayer a central part in their services, small groups and bible studies to put quality time aside for prayer. As individuals, pray how you want to – in a quiet place, on a busy bus, in your car, at home, work, school or leisure.
HOW CAN I PRAY?
Here are four simple to follow themes:
Key leaders
Pray for key people in the nation and locally, that God will give them great wisdom and authority.
• Cressida Dick – the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and other Police leaders.
• Politicians – all of them under enormous stress – from Theresa May to Jeremy Corbyn, Amber Rudd the Home secretary and David Davis leading the Brexit negotiations.
• Pray for our national church leaders to be heard.
Protection
Pray as you drive, walk and travel “Lord protect and defend this area”.
• For God to expose and confuse terrorists.
• Pray against lawlessness breaking out on our streets or clashes between different communities.
• Pray for the Anti-terrorist teams near you to have Godly wisdom and insight.
Against fear
The enemy’s tactic is to make us afraid to go anywhere, to put a divide between Muslims and other communities and undermine our confidence that God is Sovereign.
• Pray for God does not give us a spirit of fear “but gives us love, power and self-discipline.” 2 Tim: 1.7. We are in an intense spiritual battle.
• Pray for God’s love, power and self-discipline to replace fear in crowded areas, schools, and communities.
God’s Kingdom to Come
We are in a spiritual battle. Many people are coming to Christ including many Muslims. The nation has been stirred to pray and the enemy hates the church, hates children and hates the Gospel. In the midst of uncertainty, let us pray this simple but powerful prayer – “Your Kingdom Come and your will be done” in the places we love.
Jesus wept. The Holy Spirit is the comforter. Let us pray for a great hunger for the presence of God in His Church. This nation needs the love of Christ and the peace of the Holy Spirit and it needs a Church that can take Jesus into every corner of our Isles. So our final prayer is:
“Lord draw me close to You, may I see Your face and know the depth of Your love. Amen”