Prayer

a new season

9th September 2007

- new Christians: pray for the two women from One25 who Helen Hill mentioned this morning, who have recently become Christians, that they may experience new life, change, and the power of God in their lives, and for those helping them in this journey.

a new term: pray for all the children who have recently started a new school term, some of them at new schools. And please pray also for our students– those returning to Bristol later this month, and those among us who are starting University terms soon, here or elsewhere, in some cases for the first time.

a new country: also remember the many overseas students arriving over the next few weeks to study here in Bristol, and pray that for some of them that as well as having an enriching experience of study they will have an encounter with God for the first time. Being away from home takes some adjusting to even if you are just going to another city– moving country is that much more challenging– do pray for these folk and for those in BISC who are seeking to welcome them to our city.

a new season for cells: many cells have taken a break over the summer. Pray for your own cell, and for others, that during the autumn the various groups will have a fresh sense of God speaking and moving, and fresh faith and hope to see God at work in individuals and situations. I’m thinking of what Jeremy Carruthers was saying this morning– that we should ‘be the change we want to see in the world’– and in the cell!

Praying for the new government

1st July 2007

1 Timothy 2:1-5 says: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.’

Note the connection between praying for governments, and mission. It would be good to pray this week for Gordon Brown and the new government, especially as they face the challenge of terrorist threats, and to pray for peace in the country.

Praying for the prodigals

24th June 2007

Praying for the prodigals

At the Grange this morning, Donna and Lisa were encouraging us to pray for the prodigals, that is, family members and friends who are no longer following Jesus.

The suggestion was that we focus on a particular person we are concerned about, and that we (1) pray for them, and (2) prophetically call them back to the church. Let’s continue to do that, making it part of our habit of prayer.