Daily Prayer with Colchester Boiler Room Community

A few of us have started to pray a daily prayer at 12 noon every day.



Here's the prayer (it's based on vow of the Honourable Order of the Mustard Seed as prayed by Count Zinzendorf)

"My Lord Jesus,

Help me to be true to you,

to be kind to people,

and to take the Gospel to the nations.

Amen"

We're sharing this with other friends in Colchester Boiler Room Community.

If you'd like to join us in praying this prayer every day please let us know.

love Richard



PS for more information on The Order of the Mustard Seed see "The Vision and the Vow" book by Pete Greig. Or check http://www.mustardseedorder.com/

News from Liverpool

Mike, Nicky and I visited Liverpool last week...

We had a great time visiting the docks in the sunshine and enjoying the Liverpool Tate gallery...

We were there as part of the UK 24-7 prayer network day. This was a gathering of people who have been making 24-7 prayer rooms and communities happen around the UK...and beyond.

We heard about God working through prayer in;

• a skate and surfboard shop in Devon
• rural Scotland
• a camper van travelling to Macedonia and now based in Germany
• a prayer room in bar in Nottingham
• rhythms of prayer being practiced in Guildford
• a prayer community in Earls Court, London

We stayed in Liverpool Boiler Room, and participated in prayer through the night. (Although I missed my prayer slot through bleariness ;)

It was great to hear of how God is growing the Liverpool Boiler Room Community, which is a Salvation Army congregation, and also a place of prayer and hospitality for many church congregations in Liverpool - from Pentecostal to Catholic. And is a base for YWAM and Pure youthwork in Liverpool.

The message that I brought back was how God has been working through Boiler Room Communities in many different ways. Different Boiler Room Communities have different shapes and places within the church. Praise God for His creativity, and the freedom of serving Him.

I also saw that the Boiler Room Communities, and prayer rooms, that have seen most growth and life are those that are committed and compassionate.

love Richard

News from Joe and Walk Cumbria

Thanks to everyone who supported me in prayer whilst on WalkCumbria last week with Through Faith Missions.

It was an awesomeweek and Satan was injured. Many came to Christ and a lot more have been told that they are loved by God. Unity was growing between the churches and they have a fire in their belly now for evangilism.

Colchester could really do with inviting Through Faith Missions tocome and help out with mission here - its inspiring. Check out thelinks for what happened in Walk Cumbria and what Through FaithMissions is about:http://www.walkcumbria.org.uk/http://www.through-faith-missions.org/

They only work and get involved when local churches invite them along.

Going on the Walk was excellent and you really learn firsthand about bold but gentle evangelism. Next big mission is Walk Swansea Valley in September 2008 but there are shorter/smaller missions in the meantime.

God Bless,Joe

Opportunity to support a prayer room in Clacton

Some fantastic people in Clacton are running a 24/2 prayer room from 6am Friday 8 June to 6am Sunday 10 June.

Here's your chance to get involved!

Contact Dorothy Smith on 01255 426921 to book a one hour or longer slot in the prayer room.

The prayer room will be at 7 Wellesley Road, Clcaton on Sea, CO15 3PP.

(from Richard)

Keep on Making Poverty History

Remember Make Poverty History? Live8? G8 at Gleneagles in 2005?

Well, 8 world leaders made some very important promises....

Click on this link to add your voice to make sure they honour those promises.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/campaign/g8/index.htm

love Richard

News from the Lakes Ministry

Hi All,

I was joined yesterday at the lakes by Ann Blackmore which was such a blessing as she really just goes with the flow and is such a blessing to the patients in there... thankyou Ann :)

Yesterday was a good time in the lakes... it wasn't particuarly spiritually hard going and we could really sense the peace and gentleness of the holy spirit. We spoke on resting in God's presence and on how we can leave all our baggage at Jesus' feet and just rest in his presence.

One of the patients sparked a discussion on how she felt when she was sectioned (detained against her will). she said how she has been wondering whether this was some sort of punishment from God.... so that steered the discussion onto God's grace and unconditional love.

A prayer pointer... there is a guy that has started coming reguarly that is very ecentric and is very dilusional... he thinks that he has led a life, that he quite clearly hasn't. anyway he has been quite disruptive and yesterday in the midst of the flow of the holy Spirit he started steering the meeting off in a different direction and to be honest I had to really shut my thoughts down and focus on God to get back on track. it was almost like he was there to throw confusion into the mix. Obviously not intentionally.. but I felt like this was abit of a counter attack from the enemy to disrupt the peace that was in the room. This guy brings a scientific argument to everything we mention and also has the ability to hook the other patients into his ramblings which are mostly fictional.... I long to see freedom in this guy!!! Yay!! Please pray against confusion!

I am away in singapore for the next lakes service... but I think that a couple of the team are still going to go in so we would still appreciate prayer cover as normal please.

I just want to add that I am so grateful for all the support you all give this ministry... It can be very demanding at times but God has some amazing things up his sleeve. We just need to keep pressing in and I truely believe that there will come a day when God's Glory will just be poured out in that place and we will just see the shackles fall off these lovely people!!

I listened to a sermon last night about God's glory.... and that before the Glory always came the order. This last year has been a year of God bringing order to our personal lives so that he can use us as pure yielded vessels to flow through us freely and also to prepare the ground in the lakes for what he is about to do!! So watch this space!!

Thankyou also to Ally who has been putting loads of time into organising the prayer and keeping great records of prophetic stuff and of what has been going on during the services.

Bless you all loads and thanks again
Sarah

New date for Street Pastors meeting - 8 June

Thank you to all those who have got in touch about the forthcoming Street Pastors meeting. Being the first weekend of half term, there are a few people away who would otherwise like to be there, so we've decided to move the meeting on by two weeks.

The meeting will now be on
Friday 8th June, 9:30pm to 11:00pm, at Eld Lane Baptist Church.

A revised notice to this effect has been sent to churches for their notice sheets, but please could you spread the word to any you know who were intending to come on May 25th.

We've had lots of expressions of support for getting Street Pastors under way and although we're keen to get started, it's important that as many people as possible can take part in the early stages of setting up Street Pastors. This is worth doing well and we hope this change will enable more people to get involved.

As before, please could you let me know if you can get to this meeting. This not only helps with planning, but gives us an indication of whether this date works for people.

Thanks,
Tim Abbott

Report from Jesus Centre Prayer Room

Jesus Centre, Colchester 24-7 Prayer Room
22 – 29 April 2007

The Jesus Centre 24-7 prayer room was used by more than 40 people from more than 10 church congregations. There were also prayer requests posted into the prayer room by the local community. The prayer room hosted worship music sessions, united prayer with local congregations, soaking prayer and sessions with young people.

Here are some stories from people using the prayer room.

“I had a two hour slot in the prayer room. But it wasn't long enough.”

“I valued the community feeling in the prayer room. It felt like home. It was a wonderful place with intercession, worship and creativity going on all at the same time. It was a place of personal spiritual expansion.”

“I came back from a time away and walked into the prayer room. I fell to my knees from the presence of the Lord, crying, praying for Colchester and thanking God. I was led to pray for the homeless and The Lakes (psychiatric hospital).”

“I thought it would be just hard work, and that I'd only last ½ hour, but I stayed for 2 ½ hours!”

“My colleague from work came to the prayer room. He loved it. He said the smell of fresh baking reminded of him of his grandmother's house! He came back the next day to read more prayers and scripture, and to receive prayer.”

And here's a report from St Lukes, Highwoods

Here's news of a prayer room that happened at St Luke's Highwoods, from our friend Gillian.

We’ve been encouraging people to pray at St Luke’s over the choosing of our new leader. There were even a couple of 6.30am prayer times in the prayer room! (I confess I wasn’t at those!) Numbers have been small and sometimes its felt discouraging at times but God has definitely been at work.

You may have heard already but I thought I’d let you know that it was announced in our Easter Sunday service that a new minister has been appointed for St Luke’s which is great news for us. His name is Jeremy Noles. He will be coming with his wife Gill and 2 daughters from Southend. He will start working here in September.

We have been very conscious of God’s hand being on all this. The day of the interview we had our little temporary prayer room open and over 20 people came at different times to cover the day in prayer. It was very encouraging to me as prayer leader that this happened but what was even more encouraging was that several people reported back to me afterwards about what an good time they had praying in the prayer room!

We were able to pass on to those involved in the vicar selection words the Lord had given as people prayed.We can use our prayer room for a while longer but the vicarage is going to be sold. I’m praying that the Lord will somehow provide us with a new prayer room!

Report from St Stephens Prayer Room

Here's a report from the St Stephen's prayer room, back in January 2007...


Lots of people seem to have experienced a sense of God’s presence in the prayer room and a number of people said that the time went very quickly one person wrote “my time in the prayer room has been a wonderful moment of healing in a safe place where we felt able to be open with God and one another, 3 hours went very quickly.”

Someone else wrote ‘praise the peace of god in this place.’ There was also the chance to just relax and be yourself. One of our visions for the prayer room is summed up in this next quote that someone wrote during their time ‘be still and know that I am God … they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…’

During the week this theme of light has been a feature of some people’s comments in the prayer room log. Some prayed that our church would be a beacon of light for Colchester and Hythe. Some people felt strongly that God is seeking to give a voice to this church in our community and saw this church covered in light drawing many to his kingdom.

During the week many scriptures have been given, Mary was repeatedly given Isaiah 40 9-11 and 29-31 which we have repeated here:
“Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news! Call out with a loud voice Zion, announce the good news! Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming! The Sovereign Lord is coming to rule with power, bringing with him the people he has rescued. He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.”

“He strengthens those that are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young men can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.”

One friend who is an agnostic was reluctant to go but on entering someone prayed with him and he found it a comforting place and stayed for two hours.

The superb news is that our prayer room has inspired another prayer room at Wickham Bishops.

In addition we also felt the need to do more pray together and therefore a 24 hour day of prayer was arranged for 24th -25th March.

‘We give thanks to those who have built your church here. The mantle of stewardship is with us now and here. We are the laborers now, for the mill cannot grind with the water that is passed.’

Mark goes to Africa

Mark Cronin left Colchester on 15 April to join a discipleship course in Malawi. He plans to be there for 2 years learning Arabic, learning about mission and evangelism, studying theology, praying alot....and many other things beside....

You can check his blog at http://markbythebook.blogspot.com/2007/04/africa.html

I think it's exciting that we can be part of sending people out on mission, and supporting them while they are serving.

Please support Mark in prayer. love Richard

Mersea prayer shop exterior

Report from West Mersea 24-7

Place: West Mersea, Essex

When: Sunday 18th March – Sunday 25th March 2007

Mersea Island is located on the coast of Essex and has a population of approx 9000 people. This is the first prayer room that has been done on the Island and we were all very excited by the prospect of it.

Sunday 18th March saw the launch of our 24/7-prayer shop with a service at West Mersea Free Church explaining who Stop The Traffik were and what they are trying to achieve. After the service we all walked down to the prayer shop (10 min walk) and began the week of prayer.

We managed to secure a vacant shop premises that was situated right in the heart of the community and the leaseholder was very generous in allowing us to use it for free for the week.

The vision for the week was that the shop would be a place where people from the community could come and find out about Stop The Traffik and its work in trying to prevent human trafficking. The shop provided information about STT and gave other information about the terrible state of human trafficking, which is happening on a global scale. We encouraged people to sign the declaration and put their handprint on our freedom wall. Alongside this there were many prayer activities for people to do and it gave opportunity for people to express themselves in prayer in ways that they may not have previously thought of.

Throughout the week people from the various churches in the area came and got involved and there was a real sense of fellowship between the many and varied Christian community. Fantastic friendships have been built as a result and we all believed Jesus’ prayer that we ‘may be one’ was being answered in some way as we all met and prayed together.

One evening a group of teenagers came in the shop. They would normally never step foot into a place that had something to do with God! They signed the petition, put their handprints on the freedom wall and stayed for an hour chatting. We pray that the conversations that we had are a beginning to seeing these guys again and again.

On the Saturday morning we handed out hot cross buns to passers by and encouraged them to come into the shop and sign the petition. Because we held the week of prayer in a shop people were much more willing to come in a see what it was about.

The week saw many different and varied people come to the shop to sign the petition and say a prayer. It has given people a real passion to see something like this happening on the Island week in week out. Time and time again throughout the week people were saying to me that this was a place that they could come to, no matter what time of the day and really meet with God and have fellowship with other Christians. We believe Gods Spirit brooded over the shop for that week and that lives have been changed as a result.

We finished the week sitting on the floor of the shop, everything having been packed away and the shop vacant again, and took communion together.

Huge thanks to Richard and Katy for sparking the vision in our hearts and helping to get the fire burning. A big thank you to Cas, Stuart, Claire, Andy, and everyone else who gave so much time in getting this shop off the ground and running.

Our prayer is what happens next. How do we keep this vision alive? How can we continue to support Stop The Traffik? How do we ‘flesh’ the gospel out?
Pray with us that we may know the heart of the Father.

Joe Haward

Jesus Centre 24-7 now booking

There will be a 24-7 prayer room running from 4pm Sunday 22 April to 4pm Sunday 29 April at the Jesus Centre, King Harold Road, Colchester.

You can be part of this community prayer room by booking a 1 hour slot during the week. Contact Tracey Cowell on tracey.cowell@ntlworld.com

Alongside the prayer, we need to have rota of people on call to supervise the prayer room. We also aim to have a supervisor sleeping overnight in the prayer room. If you would be available to be on call for some time during the week please offer your help to Richard Smith on r_g_smith@hotmail.com

There is limited parking available in King Harold Road. Please park considerately and avoid parking on both sides of the road, as this blocks the bus route.

News from Lakes Ministry

Update on Sunday 1 April prayer and ministry.

Sarah went in with Andy Smith and Trish Halsall. Sarah said that she felt everything was very difficult with thepresence of the Holy Spirit hard to sense and came out feeling very despondent. It was like a wall and it felt like people had shut down.They were only able to pray for and lay hands on one person and werestopped from going further.

Words from the prayer room:
* This is breaking ground
* Hearing the sound of the bucket hitting the well of salvation!!
* Picture of a person on a raft in a cave, standing in a stance ofvictory, arms outstretched, moving from the darkness of the cave,through the waterfall and into the light.
* A small shoot in the ground, trying to break through fightingthrough the darkness.
* God's not given us a spirit of fear, but of power of love and ofsound mind. 2 Tim 1v7

Points to pray for:
* Favour
* Strengthening and protection of those going in - this week is Sarah and possibly Andy, but tbc.
* Holy Spirit presence and guidance
* Open hearts of the patients and staff

Also, if you have any words at all regarding the Lakes ministry,please let me know so I can pass these on.

Thank you for praying. Love Ally

Prayer Support for the Lakes Ministry

Sunday 1 April - 4pm - 5pm.

Colchester General Hospital chapel (1st floor next to Wivenhoe Ward). Prayer support for the Lakes Ministry.

Please join in because Richard may be on his own! For further info please contact Richard Smith 01206 522781

Prettygate 24-7 Prayer Room 22 April - 29 April 2007

"A girl came into the prayer room at 5am in the morning. She told me she'd heard a voice telling her to go for a walk, and then she came across the prayer room. She didn't know the prayer room was there and she wasn't a church goer."

Sounds like a story from the Book of Acts? This is a story from the West Mersea 24-7 prayer shop that happened earlier this month.

24-7 prayer is coming to Prettygate. 22 April - 29 April at the Jesus Centre, King Harold Road, Colchester we'll aim to run a prayer room 24 hours a day for a week.

You can be a part of it. We need help with planning the prayer room, setting up the prayer room and taking one hour slots in the prayer room. The prayer could even be base for mission or provision for the community...

There will be a planning meeting on Thursday 5 April at 7.30pm - 9pm at the Jesus Centre. All who who are interested in the 24-7 prayer room are invited.

Please spread the word to interested people that you know. Please do contact me if you have any questions.

with love
Richard Smith

Friday Night Street Prayer feedback

Here's some feedback from Isabelle, from the Friday Night Street Prayer

22nd Feb 07

Rev5:8b-9
Is:61v1

We are fore-runners piercing the darkness.

Saw Jesus weeping for the young people.

We would be given new songs to sing – Songs of victory and songs of deliverance.

Encouraging Word for Colchester from Is 46v10
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please and purpose

9th March 2007

Come out of this world. Come away with the Lord We need to be different and people need to see that we are.

Is 58:12 – And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt, you shall raise up the foundations of buildings that have laid waste for many generations; and you shall be called the Repairers of the Breach.
Restorer of Streets to Dwell in.

When we declared this word the Holy Spirit moved in increased power and led us in fervent prayer some of which from Michael - rebuild Celtic ancient worship.

We prayer walked the circuit around the High Street.

The anointing left at 1.30am - so obviously we did too.

Request for help from the West Mersea prayer room

The West Mersea 24/7 Stop the Traffik Prayer Room is going well. Many unchurched young people are visiting the prayer room. It's great to see the handprints filling the Freedom Wall there...it makes me feel like I am not alone in my prayers and in Stop the Traffik.

Joe Haward requests help from anyone willing to be a duty supervisor at the prayer room. This would mean being on call for a set period of time. There is a bed at the prayer room, so this could be a "sleeping duty". He needs help early Friday morning, Saturday day time and early Sunday morning. He also needs help with people filling slots at these times...

If you want to sign up to help then let Joe Haward know by phone 01206 383067 or 07708948802.

24-7 Prayer Shop opens at West Mersea

We can now confirm that the 24/7 Stop the Traffik Prayer Room Will be Held in a shop at 2 Kingsway, Barfield Road (the shop was called Lots For Tots), West Mersea, opposite the Chemist and next door to the Essex Air Ambulance Charity Shop! We will be there from Sunday 18th March until Sunday 25 March!

Free parking is available at the library on the High Street, West Mersea. This is 5 minutes walk from the prayer shop.

There are regular bus services between Colchester town and West Mersea. http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southeast/essex/timetables/timetable.php?day=1&source_id=2&service=67/67A/67C/67D/67E/67B&routeid=1071908&operator=8&source=sp

Check the tide tables to ensure that you arrive for your booked slot on time...otherwise you may be delayed by up to an hour by the tide...
http://www.west-mersea.co.uk/West_Mersea_Tide_Table_Mar2007.htm

There will be a launch service held at West Mersea Free Church, Mill Road, Sunday 18th March @ 6.30pm from this we will then walk to the shop in Barfield Road! Look Forward to seeing you there.

If you want to sign up to help for that week then let Joe Haward know either via email evangelist@wmfc.org.uk , by phone 01206 383067 or visiting www.supportstopthetraffic.infoThe shop will be open from 18th -25th March, day and night!

Please feel free to visit whenever you like. We can all help end human trafficking.Thank God for this significant breakthrough opportunity. Please support us if you can.

with love
Joe Haward and Richard

Prayer for the persecuted church Sunday 4 March 2007

We have a chance to join with the Shockwave prayer for the persecuted church.
( http://www.odshockwave.org/data/shockwave/ for inspiration)

Come to the University of Essex Chaplaincy on Sunday 4 March 8pm - 10pm to join in.

love Richard

Upcoming prayer rooms

There will be a 24/7 prayer room supporting the Stop the Traffick campaign. http://www.stopthetraffik.org/default.aspx This prayer room will be at West Mersea 18 - 25 March and is being hosted by West Mersea Free Church. For more information contact Joe Haward on 01206 383067 evangelist@wmfc.org.uk .
Also, there will be some action happening in Colchester Town Centre on Saturday 24 March to publicise the campaign. To get involved contact Katy Smith kt_anywhere@hotmail.comFuture prayer room dates....

22 - 29 April at the Jesus Centre, King Harold Road.

13 - 15 July at St Marys Arts Centre as part of the Be Xalted festival http://www.xalt.org.uk/

(also from Richard!)

Bad news and good news

First the bad news....

The proposed Shockwave prayer room, to inspire prayer for the persecuted church, has been cancelled. This is due to two proposed venues falling through, and a lack of interest in supporting that prayer room.
I feel a personal sense of failure about this, and I acknowledge I have more to learn about communication and getting other parts of the church involved.
I also think this shows a failing in the church of Colchester...that despite our spoken unity we didn't manage to support this prayer for the persecuted church...not very good considering the tens of different congregations, the dozens of buildings, the thousands of believers in Colchester...it leaves the question...what do we need to do better?

Then the good news....

A regular Friday night prayer gathering has started. This is called Street Prayer and happens between 11pm and 3am on Friday nights, based at Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane. We prayer walk, we pray for God's blessing on the people out on Friday nights, we keep our eyes and ears open for opportunities to pray with people, and we invite people back to the prayer room if we sense they would benefit. For more information contact Katy Smith on kt_anywhere@hotmail.com

A regular prayer time to support the Lakes Ministry has started. This Ministry aims to bring Christian worhip and prayer into the Lakes Mental Health unit. There will be prayer to support this work in the Colchester General Hospital chapel on Sunday 4 March, Sunday 1st April, and Sunday 29 April at 4pm - 5pm. For more information contact Richard Smith r_g_smith@hotmail.com

with love from Richard.

Down, but not out. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Friday Night Prayer starting soon

When: Every Fri from 23-02-07

Time: 11pm-3am

Venue: Colchester baptist Church, Eld lane Colchester (downstairs lounge)

Aim: To pray for peace on the streets To pray and chat with people on the streets and in the prayer room

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE NEWS

Prayer requests from Journey into Wholeness

Here's a prayer update from our friends at Journey into Wholeness, who aim to make Jesus known to spiritual seekers....


Prayer Points

# for more committee members
# that our budget target will be met
# for revelation to know the theme for the 2007 stall
# for wisdom regarding follow-up events after the MBS Exhibition
# for a wider vision for the work, and involvement on new people in it
# for contacts made last year,
# for new opportunities open to us in the Brentwood/Southend area
# for the continuing involvement of the Boiler Room Community and the Colchester PrayerNet

Prayer Support

Last September, we wondered whether we should continue these monthly prayer meetings, so planned just the one, on 22 January this year. It was well attended, and it was felt extremely valuable to meet face to face – with each other and with God – to pray for the work, for those touched by the work, and for the future needs of JIW.
Subject to confirmation, therefore, we will be holding monthly prayer meetings at Mount Zion Salvation Army Centre on the fourth Monday of each month, except for August, i.e. 26 Feb, 26 March, 23 April, 28 May, 25 June, 23 July, 24 Sept, 29 Oct and 26 Nov.
If you would like more information about these meetings, please contact our Prayer Co-ordinator, Paul Jonas, on Colchester 520021.

More prayer and action being planned

We're currently setting up planning groups for a Shockwave prayer room on the weekend of 2-4 March. Also a planning group for the Stop the Traffick prayer room at West Mersea on 18-25 March.

Would you like to be involved in making these prayer rooms happen? Contact Richard Smith on r_g_smith@hotmail.com

Let's see more real prayer happen in Colchester area. love Richard

PS the St Stephen's 24-7 finished on Sunday 4 February. They'd had a great 24-7 week, but didn't feel led to do it for another week. Fair play, and well done.

PPS to send an email requesting fair European trade laws for developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific

visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/campaign/mtf/actions/merkel.htm

Creative prayers from St Stephen's prayer room

Something traditional found in the St Stephen's prayer room:

The Nunc Dimittis (Now be sent away)

Alleluia. Christ the light of the world, alleluia, has manifested his glory. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Now, Lord, let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever. Amen.

Alleluia. Christ the light of the world, alleluia, has manifested his glory. Alleluia, Alleluia.


Something original found in the St Stephen's prayer room;

Workers Required

Everyone can apply.

Strong or weak, tall or small, thin or fat, rich or poor, talented or not, old or young...

No one rejected.

Workwear provided. God's armour.

Your own personal trainer. The Holy Spirit.

And more than you can think or imagine.

Apply TODAY.

Help needed at St Stephens prayer room

St Stephens prayer room has been running continuously since 11am on Sunday 28 January.
Well done St Stephens church congregation, and those from other places who have supported it, too.

It's been an inspiring place, with stories of not-yet-believers using the prayer room, and also many prayers being released from New Town and the Hythe.

There are still slots to fill on Saturday morning and afternoon, and early Sunday morning. Please consider if you could take a one hour slot. Book your slot by popping into St Stephens, Canterbury Road.Or phone Chris Liddamore on 01206 560822.

The prayer room is open to all visitors 9am - 5pm until Sunday 4February.

Some of us are praying about continuing this prayer room...watch this space.

love Richard

ps this morning a spring of fresh water appeared at the top of HytheHill...it was a broken water main...was it a sign?

St Luke's Prayer Room, Highwoods 21 - 28 January

It looked like an ordinary garage....

So much so that when Katy and I turned up we went to the wrong house! (Oh well, at least they know there was a prayer room happening now...)

Inside was a light and friendly space, where Gillian and Sarah welcomed us. And there was a list of suggested prayer activities, as suggested by the St Lukes young people. These included hand washing for repentance, and a breathing meditation....

In fact, the whole prayer room had been set up by young people. Nice one, guys!

It was exciting to see more God inspired prayer. And a prayer room that had just sprung up out people's desire to see God's kingdom come. Also, this prayer room meant that were 3 weeks of prayer rooms in the Colchester area in January 2007....great preparation for the St Stephen's prayer room starting on Sunday.

love Richard

A poem prayer from Christmas 24-7 prayer room

Here I am, not much.

Here you are, everything.

Here I am, in you - safe!

Here I am, in me - dangerous!

Here we are.

Infintessimal and infinite.
Sinner and sacrifice.
Saved and saviour.

Christ in me and I in Christ.
I in Christ and Christ in me.

The hope of glory.
Just like you said.

(John 17:22)

24-7 prayer at Stephen's

Dear Boiler Room supporters,

A 24-7 prayer room is starting at 11am on Sunday 28 Jan and running to noon on Sunday 4 Feb at St Stephen's Church, Canterbury Road, Colchester.

Get involved by booking a slot by contacting Chris on 01206 560822 or popping into the church. Some boiler room folk will be praying there from 6am to 8am on Monday 29 January.

There is a need to fill time slots in the small hours most days. And on Saturday 3 Feb afternoon.

with excitement, Richard

Up and coming prayer projects

Hi all Boiler Room Bloggers!

Trust you are all enjoying 2007 so far and you have sense of anticipation of what God is going to do through His church this year. I know I am!

Some dates for your diary and possible 'projects' to think about....

Shockwave: 2nd-4th March
Persecution of the Christian Church is increasing all over the world. Jesus warned us that this would happen - people hated Him so He foreknew that the Church would suffer also. We need to pray and continue to depend on God for strength and wisdom.
We would like to host a prayer vigil over the weekend (2nd-4th March). If you have a particular passion for this theme, and would like to take part in planning and organisation or have a venue in mind, please contact us with e-mail or phone number below.
Click for more: http://www.odshockwave.org/

Stop The Traffik - 18th-25th March
24-7 Prayer are involved in partnership with a movement called Stop The Traffik (STT). As you may know this year 2007 is 200th aniversery of abolition of slave trade and human trafficking. Christians are involved in a campaign all over the world to end the illegal injustice and abuse of human freedom still happening today. This is a high profile national campaign. MTV (the youth music tv station) say it's a "no-brainer" to get involved. ie it's obviously good!
We would like to take part with a week of round-the-clock prayer between 18th and 25th March 2007. The official day of STT campaign is on 25th March. Please contact us if you would like to help in planning of this prayer room, providing a venue, time or other resources.
We are also interested in other creative ideas of promoting the justice campaign. So far we are thinking....

• A Confession Booth - in which followers of Jesus Christ would sit inside and invite people for confessions. Not for them to confess, oh no! The Jesus followers would confess to unbelievers, apologising for acts of cruelty and unkindness, for war and 'The Crusades', for making slaves.... The booth could be set up in the town centre?

Click for more: http://stopthetraffik.org/default.aspx

March will be fast approaching so if we are going to do anything we need to get moving!! Please e-mail Michael Holden: hichael_molden80@hotmail.co.uk or Tel: (01206) 523923

Thanks for your support, much love Michael and Richard

Prayer on the streets at Christmas

As I came out of the 24/7 Prayer Room at Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane a stocky man came running across the forecourt. I did not recognise him at all and thought he was either going to hit me or ask to come in. As he came closer, he seemed distressed and was pressing his head.

The man cried, "You must let me in, I need help".

"How can we help you," I replied. He showed me his forehead with a deep cut just above his left brow. Blood was pouring out. Immediately I helped him put pressure on it and pushed the buzzer for someone to come down from upstairs. Before someone could get down and you could say 'Christmas pudding', two Police Officers arrived, taking over the situation and questioning the man. Jamie McCallister was with me, talking to the military officers. Just as we were leaving the prayer room, Katy Smith arrived to take part in the adventures on that starry Friday night. In the next few minutes there was much activity, giving the injured man a warm and comfortable place to stay a while with coffee and medical attention.

So after we worshipped and prayed to Jesus Christ, the opening opening moments of praying for town centre revellers and party-goers were very busy. God continued to give us opprtunities to serve people of the town and pray for them on the streets between the twighlight hours of 11pm and 3am.

Jamie and I found the experience a little daunting at first, praying around the town on a busy night, starting conversations with people. We most definitely looked a little odd to some revellers in 4 layers of clothes wrapped up like very warm snowmen with scarves, hats and gloves. I still felt a little cold under all that yet people were charging and dancing around, singing under influence of alcohol just wearing thin shirts and skinny skirts.

Doormen became a captive audience for Jamie. He started chatting with them, asking questions, soaking up their stories of incidents that would make you either chuckle, cry or scream out to God. Outside a bar at the bottom of the High Street, I shared with a doorman (or ‘bouncer’ as some may call him) about serving God. I encouraged him that God loves it when people give up their time and energy to do good things for people. This conversation was inspired by Psalm 84, where David wrote he ‘would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than dwell in tents of wicked’.

We gained much information from these chats. It was as though we were spying out the land getting inspiration for talking to God. I reckoned that to be the role of a priest. They hear people’s requests and troubles then take them to God on behalf of them.

While we were on ‘walkabout’ round Colchester town centre, Jamie and I had no clue as to what was happening back at the prayer room. Upon arriving back at 12 a.m. we discovered more activity. A kind man named Dave, on his way home, stopped to help an 18 year old recover from his long night out. Dave brought both him and his friends into the prayer room. They all had coffee and something to eat in a warm place while waiting for a parent to come pick them up. Fascinated by our decorated prayer room with lights, drapes as well as angels and sheep on the wall, they all kept asking questions. We chatted with the party-goers about Jesus, church, God and the universe, praying with them and for them. There were some really significant moments and conversations.

Katy seemed to build a good rapport with one girl. Katy shared stories of Jesus, stories of how she knows the King of kings. Our new-found friend opened up with her ambitions and dreams to be a writer. Dave turned out to be a writer too and a follower of Jesus, with a new-signed 5 book contract. He gave her advice and prayed for her dreams to come true.

These chats and prayers with walking carried on through the night til 3 a.m. It really felt like God had come and walked and talked with us on these adventures of Friday night. Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit and God the Father all joined the party! We want to do it again so if you love talking to God about people and love talking to people for God, sharing His love with miracles then please contact us. We are looking for a venue in town centre to use as a base for regular prayer walks on Friday nights.

Please contact Katy Smith for more details….
Tel: (01206) 522781 or e-mail kt_anywhere@hotmail.com

Much love from Michael Holden

24/7 Prayer Rooms in January

Arlesford 24/7 update

Marguerite reports that the 24/7 prayer room at St Andrews church in Arlesford has been going well, with most of the slots filled. The prayer room is running until Sunday 7 January.

There are still some slots vacant on Saturday 6 January day time. However, even if you haven't booked a slot you can visit the prayer room.

Call Marguerite or Alex McCann on 01206 826896 for more information.


St Stephen's prayer room

And don't forget there's a 24/7 prayer room at St Stephen's Church between 28 January and 4 February. Contact Chris Liddamore to book a slot on 01206 512845 or email st.stephens@xalt.co.uk

Christmas prayer room report

Town Centre Prayer room report

In the week before Christmas 2006, more than 50 people from more than 14 different congregations prayed in the 24/7 prayer room at Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane.

Thank you to all those who gave time at this busy time of year to support the prayer room. A big thanks to Lyndsey and Rod, and all the church at Eld Lane who gave us a home when we had “no room at the inn”.

There were some significant times of prayer for both individuals and groups. Also, the prayer room was a base for mission and action with present wrapping for shoppers during late night shopping. Also 6 people from 5 different congregations prayer walked and gave hospitality to late night revellers on Friday night/Saturday morning. Look out for a more detailed report on that eventful night!

A message that I felt through the people's prayers and time in the prayer room was “perseverance”. Several people spoke of coming against the barrier of delay. I feel called on to persevere and breakthrough in the new things of God in 2007.

We were not able to run the prayer room continuously during the whole week. This was because there were not enough people offering to take on time slots, especially the late night/early morning slots.

I felt frustrated that a town centre shop front prayer room was not available, despite many empty shop units in the town centre. I will be praying for an opportunity and a way to do a shop front prayer room this year, because I think it will give many unchurched people the chance to pray to and meet with Jesus. And because I think that we can do it, given the unity in the church in Colchester, and the desire to pray.

love Richard

24/7 Prayer Room at Colchester Baptist Church

Dear Boiler Room supporters,

The venue for the 24-7 prayer room is Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane.

The 24/7 prayer room will run from 6pm on Saturday 16 December to 6pm on Saturday 23 December. Book your one hour slot by calling Richard or Katy on 01206 522781 or emailing r_g_smith@hotmail.com

You can support the prayer room by publicising it in your church congreation newsletter, or giving a notice at church this Sunday.

There will also be a present wrapping outreach on Wednesday 20 December evening and a night time prayer walk mission on Friday 22 Decemeber evening.

The set up for the prayer room will be 1pm onwards on Saturday 16 December at Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane.

Thank you for your support.

love Richard

Christmas prayer room - booking now

In this time of celebrating the coming of Jesus - Immanuel. Why not spend some time dedicated to God?

The Colchester Boiler Room Community is organising a 24/7 prayer room from 6pm Saturday 16 December to 6pm Saturday 23 December. This venue is still unknown, but please book in faith.

To book a one hour slot, or longer, please contact Richard or Katy Smith on 01206 522781 or r_g_smith@hotmail.com At the start of the prayer room it is most urgent for us to fill slots during the Saturday 16, Sunday 17 and Monday 18 December.

with excitement and hope,
Richard

News and Reflections on Christmas Prayer Room Venue

Thanks so much to those of you who have been standing with us, praying for a 24/7 prayer room venue in the town centre this Christmas. I have certainly felt supported by my friends in the church in Colchester. Thank you.

The encouraging news;

• We have been provided with some financial donations, and also many offers of materials for the prayer room. Thank God and thank you!
  
• I have learnt that a different approach is neccesary for obtaining a shop venue for a prayer room. Next time, we need to try and reach shop owners, we need to try and give agents more notice, we need to consider raising funds to cover a rent (£400+ per week), and having a more structured Boiler Room Community may help if we are to take on a lease...
  
• Many people have joined with praying and thinking about the venue for a prayer room.
  
• We were given encouragement from the Town Centre Manager, and the Bishop of Colchester.

The discouraging news;

• We have not found a shop unit we can use. I am disappointed by this.
  
• So although many gates have been opened in Colchester...this has not opened up. And I still encountered some hositility to the idea of a Christian prayer room in a shop venue.
  

Please do post comments on any feedback you received during your prayers and contemplation.

I will contact again very shortly to inform you of the venue and prayer slot booking instructions.
love and appreciation, Richard

Join in with the prayer room planning

Dear pray-ers,

As you probably already know Colchester Boiler Room Community are planning another week of town-wide 24/7 prayer in the town centre 6pm Sat 16th - 6pm Sat 23rd December - (No venue yet - please pray!!).

We're still holding out for a shop venue, in order for the prayer room to be accessible to people who might not otherwise go into a church building.

We need as much help as possible to make the prayer room a prayerful, accessible, creative place to be... so if you feel inspired, or would just like to lend a hand please let us know asap by e-mailing Katy Smith kt_anywhere@hotmail.com.

We will be having a planning evening on Wed 6th Dec 8pm-10pm at Abbeygate Church - please could you also let us know if you can be part of this.

One final request - if you have any drapes, candles, lights etc you would be prepared to lend for the week or donate please let us know!

Thank you very mcuh
Look forward to hearing from you soon
Love and prayers
Katy

Join us to fast and pray on Tuesday 5 December

We're still hoping for a town centre shop front venue for a 24/7 prayer room from 16 -23 December.

God has provided encouragement by providing some donations to help us. Thank God.

But we still don't have a venue.

So I am calling a fast to pray for the release of the right venue. Also, wisdom for how to create the prayer room, also the support to staff the prayer room, also for the prayer room to be a place where people can be touched by the Holy Spirit and also the prayer room activity to reach out to people who don't know Jesus.

We'll be fasting all day on Tuesday 5 December. Please join us in this fast if you feel led to by Jesus.

love Richard

Prayer on the Streets

I'm wondering if you remember a warm and inspring night during a week of prayer in August when you prayer walked and chatted to people on the streets of Colchester?

The Colchester Boiler Room Community are organising another town-wide week of prayer - (Sat 16th-Sun 23rd December 6pm-6pm Venue still TBC - please pray!).

As part of this week we'd love to gather again to pray in a similar way:

10pm-2pm, with times of gathered prayer (in the prayer room) then sending people out in 2s and 3s to prayer walk and chat/pray with people as God leads. The aim again would be to pray for blessing and peace in the town centre - with an emphasis on prayer for youth, pubbers, clubbers, homeless people and the police.

It would be amazing if you're up for joining in with this again - and/or could forward this to anyone else you think might be up for it! We'll send more info nearer the time... In the meantime please let us know if you're interested by replying to kt_anywhere@hotmail..com ...
Thanks very much - Look forward to hearing from you

Love and prayers
KTX

Jamie singing in Lion Walk with SGR radio road show

Jamie will be singing in Lion Walk again this Saturday 18th Nov between 2pm and 4pm, linking up with an SGR radio road show, which is there to celebrate the Christmas lights going on. Please pray for effective witness.

Thoughts on Christ centred community

On Wednesday we met with some of the key people in the Boiler Room Community, to catch up and to talk about what being Colchester Boiler Room Community could be about...

We shared our thoughts on what "Christ centred community" should be. I heard the following thoughts;

• it should be sharing (based on the idea of the church of Acts 2)
• it should be sacrificial (based on the idea that it costs to follow Jesus)
• it should have life in fullness (based on Jesus promise in John 10)
• it should be about stepping out and following Jesus where He is leading us
• the whole picture may not be clear, but we should keep on playing our part
• it should continue the rhythm of prayer and action that God has been raising up in the church in Colchester
• it should be a further way of people from across the church in Colchester working together

We all agreed that God is on the move in Colchester. And part of that move is through the action of the Colchester Boiler Room Community over this last year.

It's very exciting and very promising. I look forward to the next time that we meet.

love Richard

Update on venue for town centre prayer room

Colchester Boiler Room Community is looking for a venue for a town centre prayer room from 16 - 23 December. We're hoping for use of a vacant shop unit. This will enable us to encourage lots of Christmas shoppers and shopkeepers to take time out with God in the prayer room.

The good news is that, again, the town centre management are very supportive of the idea of having a prayer room.

I've been chatting to lots of estate agents this week. So far, no venue has been offered to us. There are a couple of possibilities that the agents are looking into. It may be that I have to ask again at the beginning of December.

Please pray that God will provide the venue that He wants us to have.

with love,

Richard

PS check out Mikey's cool photos from Croatia below

Right hand column problem

Apologies to all Boiler Room bloggers, there seems to be a glitch with the right hand column side-bar thingy. It shows you lots of important infor about us, some websites we like and all the past post-its.

The side bar is presently located at the very bottom of the blog! Simply scroll down and you will see it.

Thanks for sticking with us in prayer and action
Mike

Hope in Dark Places 7.45pm Sunday 10 December

Seeking God's Blessing for Colchester have organised a Christmas musical at St John's Church, Ipswich Road. 7.45pm on Sunday December 10

It's called Hope in Dark Places, and should be an exciting and inspiring event to take non-Christian friends and neighbours.

Why not take someone you know?

Get your FREE tickets from Liz Bird, on 01206 843383, or by email on liz.1littlecotes@btopenworld.com

Act against internet child abuse

The innocent victims of Internet child abuse cannot speak for themselves.

But you can.

With your help, we can eradicate this evil trade.

We do not need your money.

We need you to light a candle of support .

We're aiming to light at least One Million Candles by December 31, 2006.

This petition will be used to encourage governments, politicians, financial institutions, payment organisations, Internet service providers, technology companies and law enforcement agencies to eradicate the commercial viability of online child abuse.

They have the power to work together. You have the power to get them to take action.

Please light your candle at lightamillioncandles.com or send an email of support to light@lightamillioncandles.com.

Together, we can destroy the commercial viability of Internet child abuse sites that are destroying the lives of innocent children.

Thanks, love Richard

Planned Boiler Room Activities Winter 2006

Christmas 24/7 Prayer Room
Saturday 16 December 6pm to Saturday 23 December 6pm 2006

We're seeking to run a Colchester town centre prayer room in the run up to Christmas. We've picked this time of year because the town centre will be busy with people, and people are thinking about Jesus more at this time of year than other times. It's also an important time to be praying for church leaders and church activities at this busy time for them.

We'll need help with finding a venue, planning the prayer room, setting up, staffing the prayer room and resourcing the prayer room. (The prayer room may cost £100 to run.)

Please keep time free over this period to support the prayer room. Please contact us if you'd like to help with planning and setting up the prayer room.

24/7 Prayer Room at St Stephen's Church, New Town.
Sunday 28 January to Sunday 4 February 2007

We've been invited to support the prayer room planned at St Stephen's. Looking forward to it!

Prayer Room to support Shockwaves (prayer for the persecuted church)
Friday 2 March to Sunday 4 March 2007

24-7 UK is encouraging prayer rooms across the UK at this time to pray for the persecuted church around the world.

Again we'll need a venue....and help planning the prayer room, setting up, staffing the prayer room and resourcing the prayer room. (The prayer room may cost £50 to run, if it's a weekend prayer room.)

and also Boiler Room Community development....

Also, during winter 2006 we are trying to set up a Council of Advisers, drawn from leaders across the church in Colchester. They will advise the leaders of the Boiler Room Community on community structure and further action.

Also, the core Boiler Room Community members will be meeting to talk about how we can act out our vision for prayer, mission, social action, creativity, hospitality and study.

For more information communicate via the comments link below, please do leave your email address if you'd like us to get back to you.

Prayer Room Pics

Here we have Kate and Jason helping out at the JiW Prayer Room in Sept, while Richard, Katy and Caz scoffed food after a long weekend of prayer and mission.






See separate article 'Prayer Room at St Paul's 22nd - 24th Sept' below for more about that.

We need you!

Calling all Bloggers and Boiler Roomers,
We love stories! We want to hear from you, your comments, stories, testimonies, ideas, book reviews, what you've been praying about.

If you have any words of encouragement, knowledge, wisdom, prohecy, or prayer requests, please e-mail to Richard Smith. That way we can be sensitive to information and decide whether it is appropriate to publish on the net.

Thanks for all you're doing for the Kingdom!
Keep on stepping out in FAVOUR of King Jesus, pushing on for BREAKTHROUGH in our town.

Much love

An idea from Caroline about mission

Dear Boiler Room Community,

I saw this done in belfast in a place called the odyssey-which has cinema, bars, resturants, bowling under one roof
was impressed:

NAME TABLE
•Make sure that it is catchy and appealing to the eye, make a sign or have a big back drop with a phrase or question like. "What's in your name?"
•Have a table and if possible a nice backdrop.
•Use index cards or something to write the meaning of peoples names with there origin, scripture, etc.
•Have your ministry information available to them.
•Have a strategy for follow up. Ex. Log in sheet (Name, Mobile, E-mail).
•Have books with the meaning of names. Dorothy Astoria has a very good one with the name meanings and spiritual significance.

Invite to reflect on the St Paul's prayer room

You’re invited …!
________________________________________________________________

The Journey into Wholeness, Colchester group, warmly invites you to

A Shared Supper
on Tuesday 24 October 2006 at 7.30pm
in the Mount Zion Salvation Army Centre
Ipswich Road, Colchester, Essex

Please bring a starter/main course/dessert/drinks/cheese & biscuits
to share with everyone.
Please RSVP to Mike Eavery by 20 October 2006,
stating what food you will bring from the list above:
Email to michael.eavery@talk21.com

Please feel free to bring your friend/spouse/partner with you!
________________________________________________________________

This invitation is to all our friends who helped us at the Mind Body Soul Exhibition on 23 and 24 September 2006, including all our friends in the Colchester Boiler Room Community who supported the outreach by their prayers at the St Paul’s Centre.

The evening will include times of story-telling of what we saw the Holy Spirit doing at the Exhibition and at the St Paul’s Centre, sharing times of prayer, as well as enjoying the food and fellowship together! It will help the JIW committee in their planning for next year’s Exhibition (29 and 30 September 2007).

The Mount Zion Salvation Army Centre is near the pelican crossing situated the town-side of the Esso petrol station. It is set back from the road along a driveway, and there is plenty of parking space.

Prayer Room at St Paul's 22nd - 24th Sept

It was great fun to pray at St Paul's Centre, near The Albert pub, for 48 hours. The prayer coverage was mainly for Journey Into Wholeness taking a stand into the Mind, Body and Soul Exhibition at Charter Hall. We believe this opportunity gave us further confirmation of this year being one of favour. Thank you to all at St Pauls for their generosity, allowing us to use the whole building and anything in it! I have to say, it was probably the largest venue we have used so far.

Journey Into Wholeness were encouraged by the increase of intercessors for the event. It was good to pray with a specific focus and also pray for Colchester and our nation.

There were also 2 seminars facilitated by two different Christians, one entitled 'Spirit Space' about praying to Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, another about healing in Jesus Name (I think? Please correct me if I'm wrong!) Although there were not hoards of people crowding into the seminars, Katy Smith and Penny were overjoyed at the interest and response of those who did. One lady opened up and shared some personal stories. Katy was able to pray with her and provide her with helpful information and contacts.

So yes! This weekend was another step in the right direction. We need to keep on persevering for more of God's Holy Spirit. We want to continue to hear Father God's voice for what to do next and where to go. We need to keep on following hard after Jesus Christ with knowledge that He is praing with us and for us.

Thank you to everyone praying with us for God's kingdom to come in power upon Colchester and its surrounding area.

Do you want to know more about 24-7 Prayer, Colchester Boiler Room or about having a personal relationship with the Father God who made you and hinks the world of you? Please get in touch with us by e-mail that can be found on the 'about me' section of this blog.

The Boiler Room Community continues to pray on Monday mornings, 6am - 8am with a delicious breakfast afterwards. We meet in the upstairs backroom in Glover and Howe offices above The Warehouse restaurant then onto Jenkins Cafe opposite Wilkinsons. We'd love to see you there!!

Inspiration from 20+ nations

Mike, Katy and I had the priviledge of attending the 24-7 International Leaders Gathering in London last weekend.

Sounds dull, eh?

It was awesome.

The highlights for me were;

• worshipping and praying with more than 20 nations - a glimpse of God's kingdom coming, just great to be apart of this amazing body - the church.
• hearing amazing stories of what God is doing - 1200 people were prayed with and for in Ibiza this summer! International Day of Prayer goes global, after starting in Cape Town...and still there are no murders in Cape Town after people gathered and prayed! Kelly's story of being moved by God to go and pray for a prostitutes ghetto in Mexico, and after 15 months of prayer finally establishing prayer rooms and making good relationships there....so many stories.
• receiving encouragement and training to lead
• realising that I am a part of what God is doing, I am a part of this new chapter in the history of God's people

Do you want to be a part too? Come to the prayer room this weekend.

I'll share more soon of what I learnt.

This morning we prayed into 2 Kings 4: 1 -7. Come to the Lord and say "I have nothing, except..." and then offer the little that you have. And then see what He does!

love Richard

24/2 Prayer Room - Friday 22 September to Sunday 23 September

Colchester Boiler Room Community are working with Journey into Wholeness to organise another prayer room.

It will be a 24/2 prayer room, running from 8pm Friday 22 September to 8pm Sunday 24 September at the St Paul's Centre, St Pauls Road, corner of Belle Vue Road and Colne Bank Avenue, Colchester. The prayer room is supporting Journey into Wholeness at the Mind, Body, Soul exhibition at the Charter Hall.

To book a one hour slot at the prayer room or to find out more contact Richard and Katy Smith on 01206 522781, or email r_g_smith@hotmail.com

Town Centre Night Walk

Four people met outside Colchester Baptist Curch, Eld Lane on Friday 8th Sept. We prayed and then began to walk the town centre streets continuing to pray and meet with people in need of help or a chat. I found it particularly heart breaking to pray at a site where an addict took an overdose of heroin and died. That was at the top of at stairwell at St Mary's Car-park. I felt an eery uncomfortable presence like I wanted to scream. I have realised even more of the urgency to preach Christ Jesus as the Saviour of all people. No-one is unreachable and something must be done to fill the aching gap of so many people's hearts.

Personally, Friday night was a night to watch people and situations. I found myself constantly asking the question, 'What can be done here?'

If you have a burning desire to develop a Holy Spirit filled presence of Jesus Christ's disciples on the town centre streets during a weekend night or any other night where most needed, I want to hear from you. I would really like to do something in collaboration with the Police and or other civic services to pray for people and meet their practical needs.

Please e-mail us or post a comment

Many thanks
Michael

J-MAC town centre gigs

Jamie's been given more opportunities to perform his lively musical worship on the Colchester streets.

Please pray for God's blessing on him, and for fruit from his playing.

His next slots are;

2pm Saturday 9 September in Lion Walk (near Boots)
1.30pm Sunday 10 September in Culver Street (near Starbucks)

Go for it, Jamie!

News from Pete on his recent Peru trip

Pete writes

"For those of you who don’t know, I’ve just been in Peru for around two and a half weeks working with Scripture Union building houses for street boys.

Thank you to all of those who were praying for me and the team while we were out there, it was an amazing time where we were really able to see God move, and see battles been taken and won. It was amazing for me to see all the promises God made me before I went away being fulfilled, a real example of his faithfulness to us.

Some of the work going on out there is truly incredible, and it’s amazing to see God working even in the most dire circumstances. Some of the things that the street boys have had to go through are truly horrific, but it’s amazing to see how happy they are once they’ve come to know the Father, and incredible to see the way there lives have turned around. Keep the boys in your prayers, as they need all the support possible, but thank you so much to all those that prayed for us, as it was a real encouragement to know we had that support, and I can assure you your prayers really helped our team as well so thank you."

Great prayer room.....What's next?

I have that New Year feeling...that back to school feeling...that do the new things again feeling. I have had some holiday, and now it's time for more.

Yesterday, some folk from the Boiler Room Community, and people interested in the Boiler Room Community, met for tea and wonderful cakes at Jenny and Jamie's house. And, Phil and Emma Togwell from UK 24-7 prayer joined as well, fresh from crabbing at Mersea!

We met new people, reflected on the Abbeygate prayer room abit, and agreed we want to see more prayer rooms happen soon.

Also we planned to create and run a 24/2 weekend prayer room alongside Journey into Wholeness on weekend 23/24 September. I'll be confirming the dates and venue with JIW prayer supremo, Paul (not his official title!).

We agreed to meet again 8pm - 10pm on Tuesday 12 September, at the St Pauls Centre, Colne Bank Avenue to plan how to create the prayer room.

Also, I have spoken to Mike and found out he had a great time in Pula, Croatia. Thank God. And also Pete, who had a great time in Peru. Thank God. We should be getting some more news from them soon about their trips.....

Also, there's a number of Boiler Room-ers who'd like to do more prayer and street mission. I plan to ask some folk to be organising a regular time of praying and going out on a weekend night.

Enjoy this "back to school" time...let's persevere with the work and enjoy seeing each other and being together...

love Richard

More stories from the Prayer Room...

Here's a great report, prepared by the beautiful Katy Smith;)

Summary
The week began at 2pm Sat 8th August with 3 empty rooms at Abbeygate Church Colchester. By kick off at 6pm, these were transformed into a creative space for prayer, including maps, art materials, a beach themed room with genuine Mersea sand, and a quieter space with drapes, a cross and candles for more intimate time with God.
By 6pm Sat 13th August the rooms were crammed full of prayers, written, drawn and sculpted around the rooms. 59 people filled slots in the prayer room from 16 different congregations! Other visitors included friends and family invited by the pray-ers, and interested passers-by who just dropped in.

Highlights
2 young people (dressed in Gothic style) called at the prayer room at 2am one night, because they wanted to sort out their heads

A grieving man saw the 24-7 prayer sign outside and asked for prayer for his family, and his own grief. 10mins before he came, £20 was found in the sand in the 'beach area'. It was then used to buy the man a bible, which he requested to take with him on a hike with friends!

and then on Friday night..... (10pm-4am!)

15 people from 10 congregations met at the prayer room and took shifts to stay in and pray or walk in small groups to pray blessing on the town - This brought the following opportunities

• Praying with a homeless man for forgiveness from guilt and suffering in his life. He said he felt peaceful and much better after our prayers
• Telling 2 policemen about the week of prayer, and offering to pray with them the policemen agreed we could pray for them after they had gone
• Assisting a drunk young man to pull up his pants and trousers, and helping him out of the middle of the road
• Bringing a homeless woman back to the prayer room for food, drink, shelter and prayer. She stayed in the prayer room until 4am, then was able to receive hospitality from the boiler room community. Later on Saturday she wrote a note of thanks in the prayer room
• Praying for a friend's brother who wanted to know what to believe
• A sense of fulfilling Matt 25v35-36 - Feeding the hungry, giving drinks to the thirsty, inviting in strangers, and clothing the naked...
  

Quotes and feedback from the prayer room
"A place that inspired us to pray"
"Surely this is a move of God"
" I just enjoyed space away from everything"
"I went in there and cried for hours"
"There's a real theme of mission here"
"Heavy, wonderful presence of God at 7.30am, pouring out until I felt full to bursting"
"Very aware of Jesus' suffering for us"
"Strong sense that God is planning to stir up the Church in Colchester and throw us out of our cosy nests"
"Thurs 6am 5 of us were praising the Lord with drums, guitar and piano"

Thanks

• To Jesus for answered prayer and for doing new things
• To Abbeygate for their generosity in lending us the building
• To everyone who joined in with setting up, clearing up, praying and bringing friends
  
  

Reflecting and looking ahead

What an awesome time we had during the 24/7 prayer week 5 - 12 August! It really exceeding my hopes and my imagination.

Thank God that we were provided with the venue, and with the planning team, and with the people to come and pray.

How wonderful it was to meet new people, read and hear other people's prayers, and to spend time with God in the prayer room. How amazing that people that don't usually do church came in...one friend of mine came and added prayers for the Hythe and commented that there was a really good spirit in the prayer room. And what an exciting time of mission that we had on Friday night....feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing shelter, praying with people on the street and giving out the good news....

I am missing the prayer room. Perhaps grieving abit. And also overwhelmed by possibilities for the future with so many interested people....

Here's a date for future action....23 and 24 September we'll be running a prayer room with Journey into Wholeness. Keep it free and sign up for a slot when it's publicised.

And we'd really like to get a regular prayer and street mission time going on a Friday night...so watch this space.

love Richard

Jamie's at it again! More town centre worship and mission.

"Behold he is doing a new thing!"

Thanks for those who prayed last Sunday - had a good time, sun shined, apparently sounded OK, and got the best response when I sang "How great Thou art"

I have another opportunity on this Saturday - 2pm to 4pm, Lion Walk opposite Costa Coffee.

Prayer request: protection, practical need of how to get my equipment from the car park to Lion Walk (the artist who followed me on Sunday had a rather useful trolley), opportunities for the gospel and kingdom!!

Blessings

Jamie

Prayer fuel for people on mission from Colchester

Please pray for Michael Holden and the 24/7 mission team that he's leading in Pula, Croatia. The mission lasts from 2 August to the 14 August.

The team are Michael (leader and teacher from Colchester), Adam (student in Colchester), Amy (co-leader and student from Dublin), Becky (student from Belfast) and Kate (student from Bristol).

Pray for;

• Unity and love for one another in the team
• Boldness to share Jesus with people on the streets, in bars,cafes and in the church
• Strength and wisdom for the whole trip
• Good health and no sickness
• Fun and joy!

For updates on the Pula mission visit http://www.20six.co.uk/pula

Please also pray also for Pete, a student who's away in Peru from 4 August to 20 August on a mission to build houses and tell people about Jesus.

Pray for;

• good love and support and work relationships in the team
• opportunity to tell people about Jesus, and for people to commit to following Jesus
• that the houses will bless the Peruvian people
• Pete's role as a leader of the musical worship
• safe travelling

Please also pray for John and Pauline Holden (yes that's Michael's Dad and Mum!) who are on a ministry trip with Lifestyle International Ministries to Uganda and Kenya from 26 July to 17 August.

Please pray for;

• safety in their travels
• good health
• safe arrival of luggage!
• anointing of the Holy Spirit on their Ministry, so that people will be blessed of the Lord

Exciting news from Jamie

I have been given an opportunity to sing and promote my CD at Lion Walk (opposite Costa Coffee) on Sunday 30 July from 1pm to 2 pm. It's part of a summer programme of outside music that the council have organised, and I just found out about. Apparently "Presence", the band from Kingsland, Lexden were there last week-end, and it went down well.
It's an answer to a prayer I have been seeking the Lord on for a while now, and seems to align with a word we were praying through recently:

"See I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut" (Revelations 3:8)

I would welcome any support, prayer, encouragement etc, as you are able and feel called to do.

Sorry for the short notice, but it's only just been organised and seems like an opportunity that I need to push through on.

Blessings

Jamie

Colchester Nightstop update

Jeanette from Nightstop is a friend of Colchester Boiler Room Community. She and her team are doing some great work to encourage the church to provide for homeless young people.

Nightstop is the provision of emergency accomodation for single 16-25 year olds in the homes of approved volunteers. The host provides a bed for the night, meals and the opportunity for the young person to bathe and wash their clothes. They also provide a listening ear.

You can help as a Host Volunteer, Befriender, Occasional Driver, Telephone Contact, and with Prayer Support.

Contact Jeanette or David on 01206 523629. or email kevinjeanette.hewes@ntlworld.com

Let's pray for Jeanette and David and the other leaders. And for God to provide all they need as they seek to serve needy young people. This is surely part of God's kingdom coming in Colchester?

Open doors on Sunday, but no open doors yet for the August Prayer Room

Were you there on Sunday at St Botolphs at the Colchester Celebration?

Colchester Boiler Room Community had a display stand there promoting the upcoming prayer room (5 - 12 August see post below), and the mission to Pula, Croatia (see previous post). That was another good chance to meet new people and tell them Colchester Boiler Room Community.

During the service we heard word that we stand at an open door in Colchester (based on 1 Corinthians 16:9). That it is time to work together to take opportunities that are presented.

There was also a time of prayer for God's kingdom to come in Colchester, prayed together with Councillors and MPs. And we then pledged to work towards God's kingdom together. It seemed like a very significant step, and now the challenge is to live out our pledge.

I am trying to act upon this time of opportunity by securing a prayer room venue for 5 - 12 August. However, the doors are not opening yet, and I feel abit discouraged. However Terry Tennens sent out the prayer below and this has encouraged me. Please pray for the right venue to be shown to us.

What can separate us from the love of God?
Can sickness or death?
No nothing can separate us from the love of God

Can war or danger?
No nothing can separate us from the love of God

Can sadness or despair?
No nothing can separate us from the love of God

Can the nuclear bomb or the end of the world?
No nothing can separate us from the love of God

Can failure and dejection?
No nothing can separate us from the love of God

Can loneliness or fear?
No nothing can separate us from the love of God

Amen!

News from Assington Away Day and Prayer for VAF

Tuesday 11 July was an encouraging day.

Mike and I spent the day at Assington on an Away Day with Seeking God's Blessing for Colchester. This is a gathering of Colchester church leaders and we felt priviledged to be invited. We were also asked to provide a prayer room for the day, a great chance to communicate about our vision for prayer rooms in Colchester.

We had many chances to talk to church leaders about Colchester Boiler Room Community. and several of them invited us to come and share with their congregations. Also, it was wonderful to see church leaders coming together, sharing openly, and wanting to see God's blessing for Colchester and each other.

In the evening Nicky had convened a time of prayer for the Visual Arts Facility. This is a contraversial arts facility that has now started to be built at the bus station in Colchester.

We felt led to pray for God to work for good through the VAF, for good leadership, for opportunities for Christians to exhibit art and influence exhibitions, for Jesus to shine through this new place, for the town to be blessed in prosperity and for God's kingdom to come. Also for the foreign tourists that will come to the VAF, that they will meet Jesus in Colchester. We felt that the passage from Micah 6 was important; "to love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with your God". And that now is a crossroads time for the VAF; that God can work for good through this new development if it is operated with mercy, with justice and humbly. We prayed that God will come into the sphere of the arts in Colchester, and we repented for where the church has not acted or contributed to the arts.

On Sunday 16 July is the Colchester Celebration at St Botolph's. Colchester Boiler Room Community has a stand. Come along and see us from 7pm...

love Richard

Dates for July and August

Here are some dates, so that you can get involved with Colchester Boiler Room Community.

We're planning to set up a 24/7 prayer room in Colchester town centre from 5 - 12 August. We need help planning and setting up the prayer room. Come to a meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 27 July at the Jesus Centre, King Harold Road to get involved.

We're saying goodbye and praying for the Croatia mission team on Tuesday 1 August with a bring and share BBQ by the lakes at the University of Essex. This is from 7.30pm. Family and friends welcome.

We'll be running a 24/7 prayer room in the town centre from the 6pm 5 August - 6pm 12 August. Venue to be confirmed (we're looking for a vacant shop unit by preference- please pray). Contact via the comments link below to book a slot during that time.

So this is our exciting start to the summer holidays. Come and join us on the journey.
love Richard

Get involved and pray this week

It's suddenly got busy this week with good stuff to get involved with and pray for.

Sophia invites people who are interested in praying for young people to join her and friends for prayer at the Eld Lane Baptist Church at 8pm on Friday 7 July.

Jamie requests prayer for his music mission at Treetops care home, Highwoods on Saturday 8 July, 5pm to 7pm.

Please also pray for Mike and I as we join Colchester church leaders for an away day with Seeking God's Blessing for Colchester on Tuesday 11 July. We pray for good communication and oppotunities to encourage more people to do prayer rooms.

Nicky is inviting all to join her for prayer walking around the site of the new Visual Arts Facility. Meet at 7pm on Tuesday 11 July at the Castle gates by the war memorial.

And of course, you could join us for our regular prayer time 6am - 8am on Mondays in the offices of Glover and Howe (which is in Chapel Street North, above the Warehouse Restaurant and next to the Headgate theatre).

That rhythm of prayer is building. It's really good to be moving with more people now.
Love ya.
Richard

All aboard for Boiler Room activities!

Some cool things have come this week to get involved with....

Nicky has requested that we join her to pray for the new VAF in Colchester (that's Visual Arts Facility for people who have ignored local papers for the last two years). We're looking at doing some prayer walking on Tuesday 11 July...watch this space.

I hope to have permission to provide a Boiler Room Community display at the Seeking God's Blessing for Colchester Celebration on Sunday 16 July 7pm at St Botolph's. If you'd like to help staff the display then please let me know via the comments link below...

And Alex and I are meeting to plan a prayer room in the first week of August, to pray for Mike's Pula mission trip and for Colchester. We're meeting at 12 on Wednesday 5 July, let me know via the comments if you'd like to be involved with planning that prayer room.

This morning we had another encouraging, inspiring and challenging time of prayer in our regular Monday morning 6am - 8am slot. Themes that came included "death to self" as we push on into what Jesus has for us, and prayer for healing for Community members and people in the area.

During breakfast afterwards, Mark told us of his amazing weekend prayer walking times. I want to find a regular time slot that I can join him with this.

Jamie and I again tackled our usual No 1. fy up from Jenkins cafe...how long will we keep that rhythm up!?

love Richard

Mission with Journey into Wholeness 23/24 September 2006

We've got an exciting opportunity to support Journey into Wholeness at the Mind Body Soul exhibition at Charter Hall, Colchester on 23/24 September.

Journey into Wholeness are a Christian organisation that aim to reach out to spiritual seekers. They will by providing a Christian stall at the exhibition, and also sponsoring two seminars.

We can support them by;

1. supporting them in prayer at the prayer room at the St Paul's Centre that will be running that weekend.
2. helping them to staff the stall (this is subject to attending some training courses with Journey into Wholeness)
3. providing a seminar on prayer. Katy will be leading this, but will need some helpers (again subject to doing the training courses)

The training courses are on 22 July (daytime) and 9 September (afternoon). Please contact us as soon as possible through the comments link below if you wish to attend.

Tea Time report and upcoming events

Sounds like Mike had a great time in Croatia. Thank God. There'll be more chance to pray for him when he's over there with the time in the first week in August.....

I am meeting with Alex at the University to plan how we organise the prayer while Mike and the team are on mission in Croatia. We're thinking about setting up a 24/7 prayer room for some or all of that time in the first week of August. Let us know by clicking the comments link below if you'd like to be involved planning and setting up the prayer room.

Coming up soon is some events with Seeking God's Blessing for Colchester (SGBfC), the Colchester church leaders group.

On Tuesday 11 July, Mike and I have been invited to an away day with SGBfC. We've offered to set up a prayer room for them to use on that day....and we're still waiting to hear if we can go ahead. Please pray.

On Sunday 16 July SGBfC are organising a Celebration of Colchester 7pm at St Botolph's Church. I've asked if the Boiler Room Community could have a display stand there. This would enable us communicate our vision for prayer rooms to more people. Let us know through the comments link below if you'd like to help with the display.

We had a good tea time on Sunday and met some people who are new to the Boiler Room Community idea. Great cake and buns, thank you! This was an answer to prayer since I have been praying for more people to get involved as part of the Boiler Room Community.

Please pray and get involved where you can.

love Richard

Boiler Room Tea - Sunday 25 June 5pm to 7pm

It's another chance to get together and share together at Richard and Katy's house. Please bring food to share...I will be providing some muffins and crumpets...it is Sunday tea time after all!

If you'd like to come click the comments link below.
with love Richard

News from Danni in St Osyth

Danni has been involved organising a fresh time of praise and worship at her church, SS Peter & Paul, The Parish Church of St Osyth.....

"Sunday evening was fantastic, It went really really well, God was definitely with us. We had just under 60 people come and all went away having enjoyed a fantastic evening of praise. We have called the team 'Water from the Rock' which I can tell you more about next time I see you and the service we have called 'Evening Praise.' The band from Alresford are helping us out for the 1st three months and they are true worshippers.
We are Praying and believing God to raise people up from our own congregation so they can take over in Septembers service so please pray for that. The services will be on every 2nd sunday of the month so the next one will be July 9th - I know I know its world cup final but we are going ahead anyway.
I am gonna share a word at this one (July) so please come and support me if you can but if not please pray what Paul asked the church of Ephesus (6:19) "pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the gospel for which I am an ambassador. "... Obviously I don't face the kind of pressures Paul faced but I think he speaks for us all as believers."

Prayer for Parliament and further report from Waiting for Pentecost

Joan from Greenstead Evangelical Church sent the following report of their Sunday Penetcost service. (Thanks, Joan.)

"There was a wonderful sense of the presence of God at Greenstead church on Sunday morning..The visiting speaker spoke with power and authority..from Acts 2 and talked about 3 of the characteristics of the early church...
1.Wonderful Word...or something similar!
2. Powerful prayer
3 Fantastic fellowship"

This week 24-7 UK is co-ordinating a week of prayer for and at the Houses of Parliament. You can join in by praying from home, going to London, praying with others at your church or joing in with the Monday morning prayer with the Colchester Boiler Room Community. Check http://www.christiansinparliament.org.uk/home/tabid/91/Default.aspx for more details. (that's the Christians in Parliament website)

I am still praying about how to use that key.

with love Richard

Prayer Room at Castle Methodist cancelled, but a key given for new things

The planned 24-2 prayer room at Castle Methodist Church, 9 June - 11 June, has been cancelled.

I apologise to those people who have made plans to spend time in the prayer room. Please support future prayer rooms.

The prayer room was cancelled because the planned overnight supervision for the prayer room was not available. Also because I failed to gather enough of a team to make this prayer room happen.

The following learning points have emerged for me;

• give longer notice of future prayer rooms, to enable more people to participate
• gather a planning team to plan future prayer rooms
• I want prayer rooms to be really stimulating, exciting and creative places
• I want prayer rooms to pray through the night

This morning I felt quite defeated and deflated that we are cancelling the prayer room. I prayed for God to show me a way forward. That I needed to start doing new things in my planning and communicating with people. And that I long for new things for prayer for Colchester.

This lunchtime, I went to prayer with the Watchman Network (WN)- a group of people praying for Colchester. The WN are praying for the Balkerne and Schere Gates this week.

As part of their research they discovered that the Abbott of St John's Abbey, a godly man reknowned for doing good and walking around the town, refused to give up the keys to the Abbey at the time of the Reformation. As a result he was hung at the Scheregate area.

The WN felt led to give me a key. I took this as a great encouragement that God will enable me to unlock new things as we work to increase the rhythm of prayer for Colchester.

with love, Richard

Waiting for Pentecost : final report

(In addition to the previous posts about Waiting for Pentecost prayer)

On Thursday 7 of us gathered at a town centre work place on Trinity Street. We were led to pray for Trinity Street - for spiritual seekers, and for the planned provision for young people through CO1 at Holy Trinity Church. One of us saw a picture of a spring of water rising up out of the ground at Holy Trinity and rushing through the streets of Colchester and out into the surrounding area. We read 2 Timothy 4 : 6-8 and were reminded of the need to run the race and persevere in these times of opportunity and favour.

On Friday about 12 of us gathered at Colchester Baptist Church, Eld Lane, to worship and pray. This was a new worship and prayer time at that church fellowship. Many of us felt a powerful sense of the Holy Spirit with us during the worship. People received words about the river of God flowing and getting deeper as in Ezekiel 46. I received a word about God wanting to do more in my life, the Church, the Colchester than I was prepared for. I had to reply that I wanted more of the Holy Spirit and God's kingdom, despite the change it will bring. We heard that people at Colchester Baptist Church had also been hearing that it is a year of God's favour, and that it is time to cross the Jordan and head into the promised land.

On Saturday many people gathered as part of the regular monthly prayer breakfast, this month at Maldon Road Chapel. They prayed for problems and opportunities in the town at reported by Prayernet (www.colchesterprayernet.co.uk). Also the challenge and opportunity presented by the book and film "The Da Vinchi Code".

On Sunday people are celebrating and praying for Pentecost with their church congregation. Please let me know your experiences and stories....use the comments link below.

In summary,

• the Waiting for Pentecost time of prayer excited and encouraged me by allowing me to pray in different places with different people from across the Church in Colchester.
• I felt that again this is a year of favour - a year of doors opening - and with this a challenging time for doing new things and investing more.
• I also felt that our Father God is capable of doing more than we can hope and imagine, and wants to do amazing transformational things in Colchester. To allow these things to happen we must each listen to Him and play our part with hope and love for the people in our town.

with love and eagerness for the next thing, Richard