PRAYER. Prayer Diary October December 2017 DIARY

Transcription

1 PRAYER DIARY 1

2 WELCOME FROM MARK CONTENTS OCTOBER-DECEMBER What does it mean to be a child of God? The months leading up to Christmas are a perfect time to seek a fresh and deeper understanding of God as our father. The Bible is full of references to God as father, for example in Psalm 89:26 we read You are my Father, my God, the Rock my saviour and even more touchingly, Psalm 68:5 describes the Lord as A father to the fatherless. There s such comfort and reassurance in the fact we re loved by God! We have nothing to prove, nothing to earn, nothing to compete for when it comes to him. His love is timeless, secure, totally unconditional and utterly absolute. I m conscious that many of us struggle with broken relationships we ve been hurt by people we love, and our lives bear those scars. Yet God is bigger. God is enveloping us in his arms of love, and we can build our lives on that incredible love. It s this message of hope that Church Army is committed to sharing with people everywhere: that their lives matter, that they are important, they are cherished Valuing the vulnerable 5 God s peace on housing estates 6 Praying for our retired evangelists 7 Selby Centre of Mission 8 Serving in Ireland 9 Lifting up our little ones 10 Teen prayers 11 Comforting through chaplaincy 12 Nourishing the homeless 13 Tuam Centre of Mission 14 Blessings for our Board 15 Scottish Borders Centre of Mission 16 Christmas reflection 18 A time to rejoice 19 Crazy Love quote Your support and prayers mean so much to me and the entire Church Army team, and I thank God for you. May our Father s peace be with you and your loved ones this Christmas. Yours in Christ, Join us in prayer by each week: Sign up at churcharmy.org/eprayer To order more copies of For friends, church or group: telephone or comms@churcharmy.org The Supplement is available to download at churcharmy.org/prayer and is updated with each edition of so that all Church Army evangelists and staff are prayed for throughout the year Canon Mark Russell Chief Executive and Community Leader Church Army, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ info@churcharmy.org Web: Church Army is a Registered Charity Nos & SC A Company Limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales No: ISSN All Scripture quotations in this publication are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

3 1-7 OCTOBER 8 14 OCTOBER 5 Valuing the vulnerable From major cities to rural contexts, please pray for God s blessings on the work our evangelists are doing with the most vulnerable members of society of all ages. God s peace on housing estates This week we are praying for the people living in disadvantaged housing estates across the British Isles and Ireland, as well as the evangelists who serve them. Susan Bloomfield ministers to the deaf in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham as well as in the Diocese of Derby. Christine Goodger leads worship for people with dementia and their carers in Northampton. Keith Shaw provides pastoral care in three mental health hospitals across South Staffordshire and Shropshire. Val Fernandez reaches out to individuals with special needs, including learning and physical disabilities in Caerphilly, South Wales. Nick Russell helps young offenders and those at risk of offending in and around Greenwich, London. Margaret Failes is the lead person for safeguarding vulnerable adults at St Matthew s Church in Cheltenham. Phaedra Pamphilon-Green supports the lonely, isolated and housebound in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Nick (photo by Nigel Howard) Jeff Hill Foxhole Estate in Paignton, Torbay Trevor Clarke Horn Park council estate in south east London Michael Hough Timperley Gardens housing estate in Redhill, Surrey Philip Gay Barlow Hall Estate in Chorlton, Manchester Maureen Greaves Angram Bank estate in Sheffield Josie Midwinter Great Western Park in Didcot, Oxfordshire Sheila Samuels St Johns Estate in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL WHO ARE DESTITUTE. Proverbs 31:8 Sheila MY PEOPLE WILL LIVE IN PEACEFUL DWELLING PLACES, IN SECURE HOMES, IN UNDISTURBED PLACES OF REST. Isaiah 32:18

4 15 21 OCTOBER OCTOBER 7 Praying for our retired evangelists Please join us in praying for our retired evangelists who have devoted their lives to sharing their faith in words and action. Selby Centre of Mission The Selby Centre of Mission is based on the Flaxley Road Estate, where financial, emotional and spiritual poverty are rife. Please pray for its residents and the evangelists who daily share God s love, peace and healing powers with them. Please pray for the centre s evangelists, Richard Cooke and Neil Walpole. May their efforts to change lives of the people living on the Flaxley Road Estate be far-reaching. Richard says: Around 4,000 fantastic people live on the estate, many of whom lack hope because their lives have been marked by hardships, broken relationships and debt. Please pray for them. Pray for our evangelists outreach at the Selby Community Primary School, where they lead assemblies, run an after school club, and provide emotional and practical support to students and parents. Give thanks for the energetic volunteers who help to run the children and young people s groups as well as the Sunday services. Pray that more volunteers will step forward. Mary and Stephen Adamson in Chepstow, Monmouthshire Bernard Allen in Broadstairs, Kent Florence Back in King s Lynn, Norfolk Barry Amis in Norwich Joyce Bray in York Raymond Bradbury in Tudhoe village, Durham Margaret Jeffs in East Grinstead, Sussex The centre s double decker bus is an effective and visible way to connect with the young people living on the estate. Between young people take part in the weekly events on the bus. Pray that they will continue to grow in faith. The bus is also used for outreach to the lonely and elderly, who come to talk about their problems or just for some company and a listening ear. May they realise how precious they are to the Lord. Richard and Neil run a small group for girls who self-harm. May Jesus bring healing to these young lives. THEY WILL STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE, THEY WILL STAY FRESH AND GREEN BUT FOR YOU WHO REVERE MY NAME, THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL RISE WITH HEALING IN ITS RAYS. Psalm 92:14 Malachi 4:2

5 28 OCTOBER-4 NOVEMBER 5 11 NOVEMBER 9 Serving in Ireland Let s unite in prayer for our Ireland-based evangelists who bring the Good News to the children and adults in their communities. Lifting up our little ones Spend some time praying with us that our evangelists may be effective in planting gospel seeds in children that will continue to grow and thrive as they grow up. Yvonne Desroches runs Worship on a Wednesday after school club at St Mary s School in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. Graham Nunn leads school assemblies and runs children s clubs across Kent. John Worsfold visits primary schools in Suffolk to re-enact Bible stories, with children encouraged to dress up and take part. Tony Maidment uses magic tricks to engage children with the gospel in Stourbridge, West Midlands. (L-R) Alan and Isaac Myrtle Morrison supports mothers and toddlers through her children s club, First Steps, in Portadown, County Armagh. Richard Beadle in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh Fiona Fisher in Dublin David Hamilton in Clones, County Monaghan Isaac Hannah lead evangelist of our new Drumcliffe Centre of Mission in County Sligo Alan Williamson pioneer evangelist of the Drumcliffe Centre of Mission Geoffrey Walmsley in Dundalk, County Louth Pamela Wood in Coachford, County Cork Kinder Kalsi teaches the children of a multi-faith school in Sheffield about the Bible through arts and crafts, games and interactive story-telling. Hannah Seal is involved in running Messy Church and toddler groups in Neath, South Wales. TAKE DELIGHT IN THE LORD, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART. AND WHOEVER WELCOMES ONE SUCH CHILD IN MY NAME WELCOMES ME. Psalm 37:4 Matthew 18:5

6 12-18 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 11 Teen prayers Teenage years can be a trying time in a person s life, especially for young people already dealing with family problems and strained financial circumstances. Many of our evangelists support young people in a variety of ways. Please pray for them in the days ahead. James Hawksworth runs a lunch club in a secondary school and an over-17 group in West Yorkshire. Val Legg engages with the young people living on Merlin s Bridge estate in Haverfordwest, South Wales, through a drop-in centre. Stephen Whitten runs a befriending ministry for young people living in North Belfast. Josh Smith organises football training and games for the young people living on Caia Park, a disadvantaged housing estate in Wrexham, North Wales. Val Thomas supports single teenage mothers through the Bradford Centre of Mission s Thrive group. Paul Easby reaches out to older teens through a youth group in Starbeck, North Yorkshire. Nicholas Lebey leads Transforming Youth Mission, a fresh expression of church in south east London, attended by around 80 young people. Comforting through chaplaincy This week we focus our prayers on our chaplains and the crucial role they play in providing comfort and spiritual care in schools, prisons and many other places. Pray also for the people they support. Kathy Green, chaplain at the Sheffield Children s Hospital Darren Thornton, coordinating chaplain at the University of East Anglia in Norwich Patrick Samuels, force chaplain and faith coordinator for Surrey Police Keith Shaw, managing chaplain at HMP Wandsworth in London Ian Maher, multi-faith chaplaincy coordinator at Sheffield Hallam University John Smith, squadron chaplain for the Air Training Corps in Leeds Tony Williams, prison chaplain at HMP Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire Kathy Nicholas I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO Psalm 32:8 THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE DARKNESS HAS NOT OVERCOME IT. John 1:5

7 26 NOVEMBER 2 DECEMBER 3-9 DECEMBER 13 Nourishing the homeless Isaiah 58:7 tells us how we should share our food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter. Please remember the less fortunate and the Church Army evangelists and staff members who extend a helping hand to them. Tuam Centre of Mission This week we are offering heartfelt prayers for our Ireland-based centre of mission, which has a big heart for reaching out to the young people, vulnerable groups and those of other faiths living in the town of Ballina. Linda Thornton offers meals and friendship to homeless and marginalised individuals in Essex. Theresa Pountney in London ensures that between homeless and vulnerable people have at least one nourishing meal during the week. Jon Clarke feeds the hungry and the homeless at his lunch club in Kent. Chigor Chike holds a weekly breakfast club in east London for the homeless. The Marylebone Project provides accommodation, job training and placements, English lessons and other essential services to women with experience of homelessness in London. John Le Page, Edwin Bates and Ken Cavanagh offer food and friendship to needy families and individuals living on the streets of Andalusia, Spain. Church Army Residential Services in Cardiff provides a safe shelter for homeless young people aged 16 to 21. Tehani, a formerly homeless woman, was helped by the Marylebone Project to find a job and get her own place MY FATHER S HOUSE HAS MANY ROOMS; IF THAT WERE NOT SO, WOULD I HAVE TOLD YOU THAT I AM GOING THERE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU? Please pray for the centre s lead evangelist, Emma Rodrigues, as she befriends and supports the people living in and around Ballina, particularly the most isolated and vulnerable. Give thanks for Emma s husband, Robson Rodrigues, who is building links with the children and young people in the area by organising football training and games. Spend some time praying for the Futsal camps Emma and Robson will be running for the travelling community over the coming months. Praise God for the support given by Father Liam, the local Catholic parish priest. Emma leads prayer walks around the town with a group of people from different church denominations. Give thanks for the people who ve experienced God s presence and healing through this ministry, says Emma. The centre has recently purchased a bus to engage with community members of all ages. Please pray that the team will be successful in raising funds to refurbish the bus, pay for the insurance and meet other necessary costs. Emma Pray for the success of the arts and crafts days Emma is running at the local community centre for children and young people. May they provide an opportunity to start conversations about faith. Please continue to pray for Emma as she reaches out to people of different nationalities and faiths, especially the Muslim community. DO TO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO TO YOU. John 14:2 Luke 6:31

8 10 16 DECEMBER DECEMBER 15 Blessings for our Board This week we soak our board members in prayers and give thanks for both the crucial part they play within Church Army and their roles within the wider community. Scottish Borders Centre of Mission The essence of the Scottish Borders ministry is to show children what a friend they have in Jesus and to bring physical, emotional and spiritual healing to people most in need. Please bless them with your prayers in the week ahead. Robert Gillies, who is also the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney and Senior Bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Joanna Cox, who formerly served the National Advisor in Adult Education and Lay Discipleship for the Church of England. John Applegate, who is also Course Principal at the All Saints Centre for Mission and Ministry. He is based on the Warrington campus of the University of Chester. Alan Abernethy, who is also the Bishop of Connor. Chris Corteen is a Trustee of our Board. She is the Chair of the House of Laity in the Salisbury Diocese, a Lay Canon of Salisbury Cathedral and a General Synod member. Steve Eccleston, who is also Assistant Director of Legal Services for Sheffield City Council. Bishop Alan The Scottish Borders runs three children s groups for 0 to 12 year olds. Pray that every child attending will discover how much Jesus loves them. Remember Julie Thomson, Zach Milner and the volunteers who inspire the children to discover the Bible through story-telling, drama re-enactments, singalongs and art. Give thanks for the weekly walking football games for over 50s organised by the centre s lead evangelist, Paul Smith. These sessions give men suffering from poor mental or physical health, addictions and anxieties a chance to socialise and keep fit. Pray for the men from the local Parkinson s group who take part in walking football. Pray for the people who participate in Paul s other outdoor activities, such as cycling and hill-walking. May he be able to lead individuals to a deeper relationship with God. Paul Sam Follett, who is also Curate and Head of Students at Holy Trinity Brompton and Founding Director of Bridge Ministries UK. Pray for the people suffering from substance abuse, mental health issues and low selfesteem who attend the Window of Time drop-in centre in Hawick. ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FLOWS FROM IT. Give thanks for Mary s Teas, a weekly event for the elderly and socially isolated. The event offers tea, cake, food and friendship. Pray also for the new drop-in, 2Blether. Both drop-ins are based in Newcastleton. NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY. Proverbs 4:23 Zechariah 4:6

9 17 LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED BY BECKY FORDER Church Army Legacy Officer Let me be marked by love. These are words I pray every day. I pray these words because I know that love is the most powerful thing there is. I know it has the power to change people and situations, to bring healing, to make way for forgiveness. It breaks the things that bind, it makes way for the possible in the impossible. Why do I know these things? Because I ve seen it working in my life and in the lives of others. Because I know love is God and God is love. I m often guilty of buying into the lie that love is always a beautiful thing, always easy, clean and tidy, which leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. This has been one of my biggest lessons in the past year. Love is an amazing thing but it s not always easy. Why? Because we are called to love complicated people whose lives are not always neat and tidy, because we can be complicated; we can be messy. Sometimes love hurts, sometimes it means not being able to do right for doing wrong, sometimes it s confusing, sometimes you ll get it wrong. I look at this world with all its problems. Yet another year that has brought tragedy, political confusion, uncertainty, fear and division. Then I look at that little baby in the manger. And I know that they only way will always be to keep choosing love and to keep asking God to let me be marked with love. Because baby Jesus was and always is love. That baby changed the world and will keep on changing the world.

10 24 31 DECEMBER October July September December A time to rejoice This week we joyfully celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace and Saviour of us all. Please pray for the outreach our evangelists are involved in across the British Isles and Ireland. May they be catalysts in bringing many people to Christ at Christmas and throughout the year. BUT GOD DOESN T CALL US TO BE COMFORTABLE. HE CALLS US TO TRUST HIM SO COMPLETELY THAT WE ARE UNAFRAID TO PUT OURSELVES IN SITUATIONS WHERE WE WILL BE IN TROUBLE IF HE DOESN T COME THROUGH. FRANCIS CHAN Quote from his book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God Lord, this Christmas Eve we thank you humbly for the best gift we ve ever received the gift of eternal life through Jesus. Help us to simplify our activities so we can truly focus on the miracle of the birth of our Messiah. Father, on this day when everyone should be filled with joy and light, we re conscious that many people are struggling with heavy burdens. We pray that you will fill them with your peace and hope. Help us to reach out to others with your boundless love. Praise God for the Carols for All, Crib and Christingle services and Experience Christmas events that Dorothy Needham has been involved in. May it be the start of a beautiful faith journey for those who attended. Phil Brown does interactive outreach in Sheffield city centre. Pray that God will touch people s hearts and lives in a powerful way, he says. Pray for Judith Bawtree and her ongoing ministry through monthly book groups, which are attended by both Christian and non-christian women. Give thanks for the opportunities the events provide to discuss life issues and faith matters. Jon Durley said: As an elected member of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales, please pray with me that our church may be a place where all are welcomed and feel included. Pray for Richard and Mandy Priestley as they work on creating new sustainable models of church in rural Somerset. Pray for Janet Northing and her outreach to housing developments in Milton Keynes. SEE, YOUR KING COMES TO YOU, RIGHTEOUS AND VICTORIOUS Proverbs 4:23

11 LEARN THE UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) Using your personal information (Data Protection) Church Army is committed to processing your personal data in a fair, lawful and transparent manner. We will only use your data for the purposes you have provided it for and in line with the consent you have given us. We will not share your data with any third parties, except for those acting as our agents, such as the mailing houses we use to distribute Catalyst, and our fundraising appeals. All third parties we work with have adequate data protection policies and procedures in place. Further details in relation to the data we hold, how it will be processed and your rights are set out in our privacy notices and our data protection policy which can be found at