In this week's video Pete Greig from 24-7 Prayer talks about the preacher DL Moody who prayed for 100 of his friends to know Jesus. Ninety-six of them came to faith before he died, the last four became Christians at his funeral. It's an encouragement for us all to pray for those we love who don't yet know Jesus. Using the leather prayer strap Pete ties 5 knots, and encourages all to do the same as a reminder for us to pray for those 5 people God has put on our heart over the week of Thy Kingdom Come, 8-15 May 2015.
Watch the video on YouTube. https://youtu.be/MNIZooHYgl4
The Servant Queen
24 Mar 2016
The first 100,000 print run of a new book to commemorate the Queen’s 90th birthday - The Servant Queen - has already been sold and another 100,000 being printed. Scripture Union are producing a schools edition a copy of which will be sent to every junior school.
‘The Queen’s birthday books I ordered have been delivered today… They are absolutely wonderful and more than once moved me to tears – not an easy task usually. I am sure they will be highly valued by everyone who receives one, and they contain a wonderful, very simple, memorable message. Brilliant!’
You can preview the book in the video above and download the video here. Click here to order copies of The Servant Queen.
Do pray with us that God will use each of us in this season to follow the Queen’s example, talking naturally about Jesus. May God use us to bring in an amazing harvest www.hopetogether.org.uk/Groups/262514/Queens_Birthday.aspx
The first 100,000 print run of The Servant Queen has already been sold and another 100,000 being printed. Scripture Union are producing a schools edition a copy of which will be sent to every junior school.
‘The Queen’s birthday books I ordered have been delivered today… They are absolutely wonderful and more than once moved me to tears – not an easy task usually. I am sure they will be highly valued by everyone who receives one, and they contain a wonderful, very simple, memorable message. Brilliant!’
You can preview the book in the video above and download the video here. Click here to order copies of The Servant Queen.
Do pray with us that God will use each of us in this season to follow the Queen’s example, talking naturally about Jesus. May God use us to bring in an amazing harvest www.hopetogether.org.uk/Groups/262514/Queens_Birthday.aspx
Powerful time at WATCHING conference
23 Mar 2016
Our prayer conference at Swanwick was a memorable time. It was a time of calling and preparation not just for the people there but for many across His church. We are in a time of change with great political and economic uncertainty but we are standing on the plans and purposes of Jesus.
- God is looking for a people who will be obedient – who really make Jesus the head of all we do, who fully depend on Him.
- God is looking for a broken people who can be authentic and compassionate in a broken world. He wants us to be changed by knowing Him more deeply as our Father, He delights in us, walks with us, and equips us. God's heart is deeply moved by the brokenness He finds in many of His people and we felt His loving arms around us. He is opening our eyes to a broken and traumatised world, of abused children, disintegrated families, vulnerable young people, and victims of injustice whether they be in India or our neighbourhood.
- He is calling for watchers – people who will respond to the accelerating need to watch and pray.
- He is declaring a time of change and fruitfulness – for WPC as we enter the third year of our journey through 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37, and for His church as He awakens us to prayer and evangelism.
- Malcolm Duncan blessed us deeply in so many ways and his teaching was deep and broad, looking at our call to serve the Lord and defend His name, serve the globe and serve His church in the UK. God spoke deeply to Malcolm and he brought a very specific word from the Lord for the last day – we will send out the transcript shortly but essentially the message is – it is time to prepare our hearts and raise our expectations for a move of God in our nation.
TIME TO GET READY
It is time for more prayer, for informed prayer, for focused prayer, for faith filled prayer -
- For the gospel to be preached across the whole church this Easter, for Jesus to be revealed in marches of witness, church services, family gatherings etc. pray for joy to fill His church as we celebrate Easter together. We pray for a powerful move of God this Easter.
- For the broken – let us see our neighbourhood and workplace with Your eyes, let us pray for your love where there is brokenness
- In the light of the Brussels bombs, we pray for Your comfort. Have mercy on Belgium, have mercy on Brussels, open people's eyes to Your love.
- Protect our nation – we stand on the walls of the United Kingdom and ask – Lord have mercy, give wisdom and insight to our security forces and authority to us as we pray.
- Bring peace this Easter at the marking of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising - in Dublin and across the Republic; and in Belfast and across Northern Ireland.
Steve Botham
Call to Prayer for Burundi
23 Mar 2016
The situation in Burundi is deeply concerning and remains tense and unpredictable despite high level visits to mediate a settlement to the current political crisis.
Both Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi of the Province of the Anglican Church of Burundi and Archbishop Justin Welby have stressed the importance of prayer for the country
Archbishop Justin says, "Following my recent visit to Burundi I encourage churches and individuals urgently to pray for the deeply troubled nation of Burundi. Pray for its political, church and civic leaders. Cry to the God of all nations and peoples for its peace and the well-being of all its people."
Please join the Church in Burundi in prayer through the Easter season to ask God for an end of violence, a return to real peace and a political solution that will last and be the foundation for the development of one of the poorest nations in the world.
Background and activities of the Church
The Anglican Church in Burundi (EAB) is an impartial actor in the present crisis that remains a political rather than an ethnic conflict.
The situation throughout the country remains tense with much uncertainty about the direction the crisis will take. Although the capital Bujumbura appears calmer, disturbances still occur. People are living daily in a climate of fear and mistrust. Arrests continue and people are found killed. Targeted killings and attacks still occur.
Amid the problems life goes on with people going to work, shopping, supporting their families, educating their children, going to Church, engaging in ceremonies.
However, due to the insecurity those internally displaced remain so with the result that considerable strain is put on families to provide food and shelter. People are continuing to seek ways to leave the country but movement is not easy and often restricted.
Suspension of direct financial support to the Burundi administration will inevitably have a negative impact on the economy. Already, for example students who are ready to enter university have had their support removed.
Since the membership of the Church includes those on all sides of the political spectrum and of all ethnic groups, the EAB has the opportunity to play a key role in bringing peace and reconciliation locally and nationally and to share Christ's love in turbulent times.
Through its parish networks the EAB has the unique ability to identify need at grass roots level and to respond with humanitarian support. It has been reaching out in practical ways to the most vulnerable since the start of the crisis and has continued with all aspects of its ministry throughout the country.
More information on the ministry of the Church can be found on www.anglicanburundi.org
A Prayer for Burundi
For the beautiful but poor country of Burundi, we pray dear Lord.
For the population living in fear and dread, afraid of the unknown and the uncertain, we ask for hope.
For those fleeing in Burundi or abroad, we pray for safety, freedom from disease and famine and the security that they may return home.
For those seeking the way of violence that they would instead seek reconciliation between all parties.
For the surrounding countries that they may remain at peace, act justly and broker a just settlement.
Enable an end to violence so that Burundi may become a beacon of peace rather than a place of fear and death.
Strengthen your church to stand for the ways of justice and righteousness and to reach out in love to the suffering.
We ask these things in the name of Him who carried all our human failings on the cross, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
For further information about this call for prayer in the UK please contact Revd. Canon Paul Daltry This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01473 217739 mobile 07963 301388
Passion for the Nation
23 Mar 2016
A Passion for the Nation is a new iniative which will be sending out declarations Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for those who want to pray and decree blessing over the UK, at this critical time.
There is so much changing and it is time for the Church to step up to its calling to rule the heavens over the Nation so that God's rule and reign can be re-established.
This initiative is not attached to any individual house, stream or denomination but is intended to be used by all.
Vision:
Isaiah 62:1-4 NLT
"Because I love England (Bible: Zion) I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for this Nation (Bible: Jerusalem) I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch."
We Decree and Declare, this is a nation marked out in Heaven for Divine Purpose, and for the Kingdom of God to come in all its fullness - that every demonic presence shifts or bows to the King of Kings and the Lord of Glory - where God's Presence will dwell, transforming atmospheres, spheres and individual lives. We declare shift and change into the heart of our nation, that according to Your Word in 2 Corinthians 10:5 every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God will be brought down and that His name will again be exalted in this land. Psalm 34:3
Government:
According to Your word in Proverbs 14:34, we declare righteousness exalts a nation, so we speak righteousness into every aspect of Government, national and local; we declare honesty and integrity will become the hallmarks of financial institutions, businesses and society. We decree and declare that righteousness, honesty and integrity will again become valued in this nation and we enforce Kingdom values over every plan of the enemy to sow ungodliness and hence destruction into our nation.
We declare this nation will again be raised as a display of Your righteousness upon the earth.
Salvation:
We declare to this nation according to Isaiah 62: 11, "Surely your salvation is coming" and we speak the release of the Spirit of Revival into this nation; we call forth encounters with Jesus from those of every race, colour, culture and age group. We declare Psalm 85:9 "Your salvation is near to those who fear You, that Your glory may dwell in our land."
We speak to this land in the Name of Jesus "behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
We declare that God is Lord of both the Heavens and the Earth, He is righteous, just and merciful, nothing is impossible to Him, He is the Sovereign Living God, all life comes from Him; the Name of Jesus is Higher than any other Name yet He came as a man, spoke Good News, healed the broken-hearted and set the captives free.
So we say to this nation "Behold Your God"
Archbishops call for ‘great wave of prayer’
23 Mar 2016
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting churches to pray for the evangelisation of the nation during the week before Pentecost Sunday.
The Archbishops have written to every serving parish priest in the Church of England expressing their longing "to see a great wave of prayer across our land, throughout the Church of England and many other Churches" from 8th-15th May.
The week of prayer will culminate in 'Beacon events' around the country over Pentecost weekend, where people will pray for the renewal of the Holy Spirit and the confidence to share their faith.
In their letter the Archbishops said: "At the heart of our prayers will be words that Jesus himself taught us – 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.' It is impossible to overstate the life-transforming power of the Lord's Prayer. It is a prayer that is reassuring enough to be on the lips of the dying and yet dangerous enough to be banned in cinemas. It is famous enough to be spoken each day by billions in hundreds of languages and yet intimate enough to draw us ever closer into friendship with Jesus Christ. It is simple enough to be memorised by small children and yet profound enough to sustain a whole lifetime of prayer. When we pray it with sincerity and with joy, there is no imagining the new ways in which God can use us to his glory."
The Archbishops are suggesting various ways churches can engage with the week of prayer. These include holding a day or week of continuous '24/7' prayer as parishes, teams or deaneries; saying special prayers in Sunday worship; prayer walking; or handing out a novena prayer card to every congregation member.
The Beacon events will take place in the following places:
- St Paul's Cathedral (Saturday 14th May) – hosted by the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, and Pete Greig, founder of 24/7 prayer, with sung worship led by Tim Hughes and Jake Isaac.
- Durham Cathedral (Sunday 15th May) – with sung worship led by Lou Fellingham.
- Coventry Cathedral (Sunday 15th May) – with sung worship led by Noel Richards.
- Winchester Cathedral (Sunday 15th May) – with sung worship led by Matt Redman.
- St Michael le Belfrey, York (Sunday 15th May).
- Canterbury Cathedral (Sunday 15th May) – hosted by Archbishop Justin Welby and Pete Greig, with sung worship led by Tim Hughes.
Archbishop Justin will send a message via live video link to other Beacon events taking place at the same time as the Canterbury event.
Partners in the week of prayer initiative include 24-7 Prayer, HOPE, the World Prayer Centre, the Neighbourhood Prayer, Network, and the National Day of Prayer and Worship.
For more information, visit: www.thykingdom.co.uk
Gather North Festival
23 Mar 2016
Gather Festival will be 72 hours of worship and prayer in rural Northumberland from 29th July - 1st August 2016. The festival is the vision of two guys in their 20's who are part of my church, Jonny Anderson and Jonny Tuck. The Lord has placed a holy dissatisfaction in their hearts where they've been longing to experience more of God's presence in their lives and experience a personal awakening. A key scripture for them has been Ephesians 5:14, 'Awake O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
From a place of personal conviction, they've given themselves to seek the Lord and felt a real burden to see the church awakened across the UK.
They've began hosting worship and prayer meetings once a month in Newcastle City Centre, drawing people from various churches. The festival is an outworking of these meetings; a place where people can consecrate a few days to come and encounter the Lord. The purpose of this festival is not to attract attendees with big name speakers/artists (not that we have anything against 'big names') - rather it's simply a gathering for people who are hungry to worship Jesus, meet Him in a place of consecrated prayer and be inspired and equipped by meeting others who are doing the same. As a result of the event, they hope to see people in the local church resourced to lives lifestyles of worship and prayer on a daily basis.
The event will consist of 72 hours of worship, interspersed with times of intercession. There'll also be break off seminars throughout the event with the purpose of equipping the church in prayer. There'll be an onsite cafe, a children's work and a networking tent (for strangers to become friends and share dreams/visions of what the Lord has been saying in their context.) They'd love new kingdom relationships and ventures to spring forth from this event.
They're looking to gather musicians/singers from throughout the UK to come and help lead the worship and prayer. They're also keen to speak anyone who feels able to offer their gifts to help make this event as fruitful as possible.
Jonny Anderson can be contacted on 07877116675 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For further details about their story/aims/location etc, please visit www.gatherfestival.co.uk
Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite.
Latin American nations have been under an unremitting assault from international abortion activists, with some allies in top positions of political parties. But last Saturday, Peruvian pro-lifers took to the streets of Lima to defend the right to life of all persons from conception to natural death, with 750,000+ people Marching for Life. The Archbishop of Lima said, ‘This march has brought together the greatest number of citizens ever in Peru's history, all of them united by one mission, to defend the paramount right to life.’ Also on Saturday a new European pro-life initiative attracted 1,200 EU participants for the public launch of the ‘One of Us’ event in Paris. All of the 28 countries of the European Union were represented as well as 31 national organisations, plus ministers and politicians who want to break with Europe’s continual slide towards the culture of death. See