Reflection from Stephanie on the Prayer Hearing

Some of us went to a Prayer Hearing on Wednesday 21 November, organised by the Bishop of Barking at a local secondary school.

Sister Stephanie Cardis reports;

"The venue of the school and the context as given by Faith Spinlove gave powerful focus.

The presence of the young people and their willingness to speak brought a new dimension, much valued, to the Prayer Hearings.

And it was great that after their "conversation" they wanted to go on contributing during the plenum."

We then shared our different experiences and practices of prayer together.

The young people shared what they thought God would like to say to us. Some said that they thought God would be pleased with the good things that happen in Colchester. One young man said that he thought God would want us to seek Him wholeheartedly.

We also reflected on what we'd heard from the Prinicipal teacher, prayed for the school and shared our heartfelt desire in prayer.

Highwoods Prayer Room

Big Thanks to the Highwoods youth club crew for hosting our prayer room on Friday night.

It was a "Prayer Room Express" ;) Just open for one and half hours during the youth club. (And we set new records for setting up and taking down a prayer room.)

The prayer room was themed on the five senses; smell, taste, touch, sight and sound. And included a prayer jukebox, and a tent filled with the fragrance of Frankincense.

The young people were keen to have a look around. And all respected the prayer room by removing their shoes to come in.

I am praying this experience will encourage them and their friends to engage with a 24/2 prayer room happening on at Ark Methodist on Highwoods 18-20 January 2008.

love Richard

First fruits...in Colchester!

This morning, I had the privilege of praying with some friends of mine at the Out 4 Good Project house in Colchester.

This is a house for young men who are recently out of prison, who want to live a life free of drugs and crime.

There is a growing support network of people from the church in Colchester who will support these young men in their brave walk.

And the house has just opened this week!

It's so exciting to see how God is providing through His servants and through us, the church!

We read from James and prayed together.

I was touched by this passage from James 1: 16 - 17;

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

It's wonderful to see the firstfruits that God produces in our obedient lives.

Out 4 Good is a pilot project that will be rolled out to other towns in the UK, if it's successful here. What other first fruits can you see in Colchester?

Richard

A moment in school...

Here's a report from a friend of ours who teaches in a school in Colchester.

My least favourite time in school of the week is Wednesday break when I am on duty in the social areas.

These rooms are part of the only building left standing from when we held holiday clubs in the school. Added to that, of course this week we have the GSUS live bus parked just behind the building.

This morning I went on duty and for the first time it was fairly calm. So, I (probably to be honest for the first time outside my classroom) foundtime to pray. Praying for peace on the place.

I found myself start singing a Godfrey Birtill song I'm not that familiar with - so unfamiliarI couldn't remember any of the words!!! It was this from "O God, O God, O God";

I have loved you, I have held you
Though you weren't aware of it
Taught you how to walk and talk
and Abba your first word.

My heart breaks, as I wait
And I see you lost and cold
My heart breaks, as I wait
To see you coming home.

I have touched you, I have kissed you
Though you weren't aware of it
Taught you how to laugh and cry and
Watched you walk away.

There is more prophetic words on the CD than just these words of the song, about running to the father and faith rising.

Shortly after that I had to deal with an issue outside - but until then it was a very special moment.

Steph

Street Pastors prayer

This is an extra prayer update for Street Pastors to invite you to pray for us in the run up to the launch (14th December 2007) and as the initiative develops.

My hope is that every trained Street Pastor will be 'praying with their eyes open' as they walk the streets representing Jesus each Friday night in the town centre. Alongside this we would like to the prayer-support developed further.

I see this happening in a number of ways:

For people to commit to pray in a small group for Street Pastors during the night shift at a base in the town centre (venue TBC) – and to pray for Street Pastors when they come back to the base for breaks during their shifts.

For people to commit to pray individually for Street Pastors during the night shift at home.
For people to pray ongoingly for the work of Street Pastors – but not during the night.
Ideally we would like to have at least 3 people praying each Friday of the month – This would mean 12 committed Street-Pastor-Pray-ers altogether.

It may help you to get to know one Street Pastor, and to commit to praying for them. This way you will be praying for a person, not just a project! Ask God to show you if there is someone specific for you to support in prayer.

If you'd like to help, e-mail kt_anywhere@hotmail.com)

Thank you so much for your persevering prayer and faithfulness for our town

Love and prayers
Katy