On Monday we met in Joan's home on Greenstead estate. We were led to read Revelation 3 about the church in Laodicea. We prayed for forgiveness for being luke warm and asked for the Holy Spirit to come and fire us up. We also prayed for the harvest fields in the Greenstead area. I had a picture about the churches on Greenstead planting cuttings in new spheres of the estate. We were also led to pray in humility for God to show us what to do, because we don't know in our own wisdom.
On Tuesday we met in the morning at Kingsland Lexden. We read Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesians 3: 16 - 21, and we prayed for healing and bridge building over rifts in the church. We prayed for a harvest in that area of town. We prayed that the new building at Kingsland Lexden would be part of receiving the harvest.
On Wednesday (today) we met and prayed in the chapel on the roof of Colchester Castle. I was given the keys for that time (a sign of favour I think). We read Matthew 5 about Jesus wanting us to be the light of the world, a city on a hill not hidden but shining with Jesus. We prayed for Jesus to reign over our town, and praised him for being above all other gods (including Claudius, whose temple was in ruins beneath our feet). We prayed for the night time culture in our town - for us the church to reach out in love to those seeking love in the pubs and clubs. We prayed for a harvest in amongst the night time culture. I had a picture of a hand starting to move, and then an arm, as the church works together more and more, and better and better.
See below for the venues until Saturday. Keep praying for the precious and necessary Holy Spirit in our Church.
with love, Richard
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Waiting for Pentecost...the story so far
On Thursday morning 7 of us met by the police station and prayer walked to some dis-used places of worship in Colchester. We noticed the massive change that the construction of Southway has made in Colchester. We remembered then that God is able to bring about massive transformational change. He is able to do more than we can hope or imagine (Ephesians 3).....
On Friday lunchtime 2 of us met at CACC church office in the Hythe. We prayed for the town as a whole and for wisdom for all church leaders and then more specifically for the Hythe. With regard to the town I beleive the Lord led us to pray for unity as this is where He commands His blessing - regardless of differences we have a common cause to see the lost won. With regard to the Hythe we prayed for CaCC and other churches working in the area. There were no specific pictures or words but we did pray for the youth and for the elderly living in the Hythe.
On Saturday afternoon 5 of us met at a home in Wivenhoe. We were led to pray for repentance in the church. We were led to pray for the raising up of humble leaders - people after God's own heart. Leaders for the church and for the community. Also for a waking up of the harvesters. I saw a picture of those with big fields and no harvesters welcoming harvesters from overcrowded fields. Then I saw a picture of those with overflowing nets calling in other boats to bring in the catch.
On Sunday morning 10 of us met in St. Stephens chapel, New Town. We were led to pray for the servants there who open the church building up to bless the community in many ways. We also prayed for an impartation of vision to people in that church for new harvest fields, especially in the Hythe area. I saw a picture of St Stephens church community as a burning coal. Also I saw a picture of Jesus standing by the door and pointing outwards. During the time of prayer we read from Isaiah 13 about the destruction of Babylon. I was reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit to destroy evil.
You can add your reflections as comments using the link below....
Let's continue to wait and pray. You can join us at one of the next prayer dates listed below...
love Richard
On Friday lunchtime 2 of us met at CACC church office in the Hythe. We prayed for the town as a whole and for wisdom for all church leaders and then more specifically for the Hythe. With regard to the town I beleive the Lord led us to pray for unity as this is where He commands His blessing - regardless of differences we have a common cause to see the lost won. With regard to the Hythe we prayed for CaCC and other churches working in the area. There were no specific pictures or words but we did pray for the youth and for the elderly living in the Hythe.
On Saturday afternoon 5 of us met at a home in Wivenhoe. We were led to pray for repentance in the church. We were led to pray for the raising up of humble leaders - people after God's own heart. Leaders for the church and for the community. Also for a waking up of the harvesters. I saw a picture of those with big fields and no harvesters welcoming harvesters from overcrowded fields. Then I saw a picture of those with overflowing nets calling in other boats to bring in the catch.
On Sunday morning 10 of us met in St. Stephens chapel, New Town. We were led to pray for the servants there who open the church building up to bless the community in many ways. We also prayed for an impartation of vision to people in that church for new harvest fields, especially in the Hythe area. I saw a picture of St Stephens church community as a burning coal. Also I saw a picture of Jesus standing by the door and pointing outwards. During the time of prayer we read from Isaiah 13 about the destruction of Babylon. I was reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit to destroy evil.
You can add your reflections as comments using the link below....
Let's continue to wait and pray. You can join us at one of the next prayer dates listed below...
love Richard
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Waiting for Pentecost 2006
All believers are welcome to come a join the prayer as we wait for Pentecost. The themes for prayer are the Holy Spirit and harvest.
I think this time is significant because it remembers the time that Jesus asked his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit to come (Acts 1). When Jesus' Father then sent the Holy Spirit, it enabled the followers to bring God's kingdom to their neighbourhood, city, region, country and the world (Acts 2 onwards).
You may like to use these scripture readings for inspiration – Ephesians 3: 14- 21 and John 4: 34 – 38. Also, you could use the daily scripture suggested at http://www.prayerweek.com/ in the monthly focus section.
Thurs 25 May
7.30am start(prayer walking) meet at Remains of Roman Church by police station, Southway.
David Beales, DNA Networks
Fri 26 May
1pm - 2pm at CACC office, 126 Hythe Hill.
Karen Barrett, Colchester Area Community Church
Sat 27 May
3pm – 4pm at 31 Parkwood Avenue, Wivenhoe
Jean Fletcher
Sun 28 May
8.45am – 9.45am at St Stephen's Church chapel, Canterbury Road.
Susan Loxton, St Stephen's Church
Mon 29 May
4pm – 5pm at 43 Honeysuckle Way,Greenstead.
Joan Davies
Tues 30 May
7am – 8am at Lexden Evangelical Church, London Road, Lexden.
Robin Buckingham, Kingsland Lexden
Weds 31 May
11am – 12noon (meet at castle entrance at 11am) at The chapel, Colchester Castle
Lynette Burgess, Colchester Borough Council
Thurs 1 June
7am – 8am
Conference Room, Offices of Marshall, Sutton, Jones, 11 Trinity Street.
Chris Bloor
Fri 2 June
8pm – 9pm (worship)
9pm – 10pm(prayer) at Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane.
Lynsey Heselgrave,
Colchester Baptist Church
Sat 3 June
8.30am - 10am (prayer breakfast) at Maldon Road Chapel, Maldon Road
Mr and Mrs Knight, Maldon Road Chapel
Sun 4 June
Pray with your church congregations at your Sunday meetings
I am looking forward to seeing you there!
with love Richard
I think this time is significant because it remembers the time that Jesus asked his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit to come (Acts 1). When Jesus' Father then sent the Holy Spirit, it enabled the followers to bring God's kingdom to their neighbourhood, city, region, country and the world (Acts 2 onwards).
You may like to use these scripture readings for inspiration – Ephesians 3: 14- 21 and John 4: 34 – 38. Also, you could use the daily scripture suggested at http://www.prayerweek.com/ in the monthly focus section.
Thurs 25 May
7.30am start(prayer walking) meet at Remains of Roman Church by police station, Southway.
David Beales, DNA Networks
Fri 26 May
1pm - 2pm at CACC office, 126 Hythe Hill.
Karen Barrett, Colchester Area Community Church
Sat 27 May
3pm – 4pm at 31 Parkwood Avenue, Wivenhoe
Jean Fletcher
Sun 28 May
8.45am – 9.45am at St Stephen's Church chapel, Canterbury Road.
Susan Loxton, St Stephen's Church
Mon 29 May
4pm – 5pm at 43 Honeysuckle Way,Greenstead.
Joan Davies
Tues 30 May
7am – 8am at Lexden Evangelical Church, London Road, Lexden.
Robin Buckingham, Kingsland Lexden
Weds 31 May
11am – 12noon (meet at castle entrance at 11am) at The chapel, Colchester Castle
Lynette Burgess, Colchester Borough Council
Thurs 1 June
7am – 8am
Conference Room, Offices of Marshall, Sutton, Jones, 11 Trinity Street.
Chris Bloor
Fri 2 June
8pm – 9pm (worship)
9pm – 10pm(prayer) at Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane.
Lynsey Heselgrave,
Colchester Baptist Church
Sat 3 June
8.30am - 10am (prayer breakfast) at Maldon Road Chapel, Maldon Road
Mr and Mrs Knight, Maldon Road Chapel
Sun 4 June
Pray with your church congregations at your Sunday meetings
I am looking forward to seeing you there!
with love Richard
Friday, May 19, 2006
Stories from 24-7 Network Day
Three 24-7 Boiler Roomers from Colchester (Richard, Katy and myself [Michael]) were invited to St Catherine's Catholic Church in Birmingham. People came far and wide, from Northern Ireland, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Chichester as well as other towns I can't remember! (Sorry if people from those cities are reading this!)
The day was quite odd really yet totally refreshing. It was nothing big or hyped up, just 60 disciples of Jesus Christ coming together under His name in a Catholic church building. We shared stories, ate food, gave worship and prayer to our Lord and Saviour. We even did the Christian tea and coffee thing with the big urn with scale on the bottom.
I was really amazed at the various adventures people from other 24-7 praying Communities have been on. Phil Togwell has encouraged budding disciples and pray-ers to keep in contact and continue to share our lives together. Lucie, Marcin and Simon from Cambridge have really stuck in my mind. They have been doing some 24-2 weekends on a monthly cycle, gathering church in unity and eating together, still wondering where the Lord is leading them. Sound familiar? I really identified with those guys and girl, think I'd like to drop in to see them. Chat and pray with 'em!
Father Jim, must never forget Jim! He is the resident priest of St Catherines who kindly invited us to use his church building for the day. Thank you so much Jim! He shared about his ministry in Birmingham and about the Order of Columban - http://www.columban.com I was particularly grabbed by the 'Listening Day' he facilitates for the local people on their own turf. The church team simply, humbly goes out to listen, not giving advice or taking names or information. Have we protestants lost this fine art?
Lunch happened at 'The Big Wok' All-You-Can-Eat-Chinese Restaurant. Mmm... delicious! It came complete with singing 'happy birthday' to Phil, help from a Karaoke stylie announcement! That was cheeky but fun! I sat opposite someone originally from Benfleet, Essex. Yay! Big up Essicks! Well turns out he used to be part of Thundersly Congregational Church where my cousins used to be based too! Wow, what a small world!
Andy Freeman of Reading Boiler Room started discussion about questioning 'what is community?' He used an unusual scripture, yet it totally made sense.
Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in My Name, I am there in the midst of them" Matt 18 v 20
Andy gave challenging questions....
What kind of communities are we forming? In what ways are they genuinely Christ-centred?
In what ways are they intentional, deliberate, conscious (more than just 'hanging-out' together... more than just 'friends')?
In what ways are they spiritual? How are we threading spiritual life and discipline through every aspect of our lives together?
In what ways are they safe, welcoming, hospitable, inclusive... growing?
Yea, great chunky, meaty stuff Andy! I'm still chewing on these things, provoked and shook me into thinking about how we need to be welcoming, exclusively inclusive, intent on growing always with Jesus at the centre of who we are and where we come from.
I just want to throw this out into the open, allow discussion, criticism, listening.... Please feedback because this is an unusual journey for those involved with 24-7 Prayer in Colchester. Where are we going? Boiler Room? Shared house? Simple regular prayer room around Colchester? Missions? This whole thing really is in the early days and could go in so many directions.
You can read more about the day on
http://toggietales.typepad.com/toggie_tales/
http://uk.24-7prayer.com
Thank you so much 24-7 prayer for a brilliant day
Love to all,
Keep travelling along the world with us!
Michael
The day was quite odd really yet totally refreshing. It was nothing big or hyped up, just 60 disciples of Jesus Christ coming together under His name in a Catholic church building. We shared stories, ate food, gave worship and prayer to our Lord and Saviour. We even did the Christian tea and coffee thing with the big urn with scale on the bottom.
I was really amazed at the various adventures people from other 24-7 praying Communities have been on. Phil Togwell has encouraged budding disciples and pray-ers to keep in contact and continue to share our lives together. Lucie, Marcin and Simon from Cambridge have really stuck in my mind. They have been doing some 24-2 weekends on a monthly cycle, gathering church in unity and eating together, still wondering where the Lord is leading them. Sound familiar? I really identified with those guys and girl, think I'd like to drop in to see them. Chat and pray with 'em!
Father Jim, must never forget Jim! He is the resident priest of St Catherines who kindly invited us to use his church building for the day. Thank you so much Jim! He shared about his ministry in Birmingham and about the Order of Columban - http://www.columban.com I was particularly grabbed by the 'Listening Day' he facilitates for the local people on their own turf. The church team simply, humbly goes out to listen, not giving advice or taking names or information. Have we protestants lost this fine art?
Lunch happened at 'The Big Wok' All-You-Can-Eat-Chinese Restaurant. Mmm... delicious! It came complete with singing 'happy birthday' to Phil, help from a Karaoke stylie announcement! That was cheeky but fun! I sat opposite someone originally from Benfleet, Essex. Yay! Big up Essicks! Well turns out he used to be part of Thundersly Congregational Church where my cousins used to be based too! Wow, what a small world!
Andy Freeman of Reading Boiler Room started discussion about questioning 'what is community?' He used an unusual scripture, yet it totally made sense.
Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in My Name, I am there in the midst of them" Matt 18 v 20
Andy gave challenging questions....
What kind of communities are we forming? In what ways are they genuinely Christ-centred?
In what ways are they intentional, deliberate, conscious (more than just 'hanging-out' together... more than just 'friends')?
In what ways are they spiritual? How are we threading spiritual life and discipline through every aspect of our lives together?
In what ways are they safe, welcoming, hospitable, inclusive... growing?
Yea, great chunky, meaty stuff Andy! I'm still chewing on these things, provoked and shook me into thinking about how we need to be welcoming, exclusively inclusive, intent on growing always with Jesus at the centre of who we are and where we come from.
I just want to throw this out into the open, allow discussion, criticism, listening.... Please feedback because this is an unusual journey for those involved with 24-7 Prayer in Colchester. Where are we going? Boiler Room? Shared house? Simple regular prayer room around Colchester? Missions? This whole thing really is in the early days and could go in so many directions.
You can read more about the day on
http://toggietales.typepad.com/toggie_tales/
http://uk.24-7prayer.com
Thank you so much 24-7 prayer for a brilliant day
Love to all,
Keep travelling along the world with us!
Michael
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Waiting for Pentecost prayer
Prayer for Colchester Ascension Day (25 May) to Pentecost Sunday (4 June) 2006
I have been given the idea to organise prayer over the period between Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday. I would like to see a gathering of Jesus followers praying for God's kingdom to come on each day of that 11 day period.
I have been given the idea to organise prayer over the period between Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday. I would like to see a gathering of Jesus followers praying for God's kingdom to come on each day of that 11 day period.
I think this time is significant because it remembers the time that Jesus asked his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit to come (Acts 1). When Jesus' Father then sent the Holy Spirit, it enabled the followers to bring God's kingdom to their neighbourhood, city, region, country and the world (Acts 2 onwards).
To enable this waiting in prayer to happen, I am asking people to offer a venue for an hour of prayer on one of the days between 25 May and 4 June 2006. This venue could be a church building, a workplace, a public place or even outside. I am aiming to have a different venue available each day. I will then invite people from across the Church in Colchester to come and pray.
To be involved you will need to;
- contact me to offer a venue and available times (use the comments link below).
- arrange for the venue to be open and supervised for that hour slot.
- think and pray about themes you would like the group to pray for at that venue.
- encourage local believers to pray with us during that slot.
- or just come and join in with the prayer at venues once they are booked in.
Overall themes that I think we should be praying into is the Holy Spirit, and harvest. This is because Pentecost is the Jewish harvest festival.
I will keep you informed by confirming with you directly when you have booked a slot for your venue. Also, I will update the Colchester Boiler Room Community blog.
Remember, the next Boiler Room Community meal is on 28 May, 1pm to 3pm. To come along contact Richard through the comments link below.
Please pray for Richard, Katy and Mike as meet with other 24-7 prayer people in Birmingham at the national network day. Also pray for Julian as he journeys to Belgrade to take part in the Europe-wide network day: the BIG conversation.
Pray as though it all depends on God. Live as though it all depends on you.
with love Richard
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