We're praying for good weather and good company at our "Encounter Family Day" at Vanessa Faulkner's home on Sunday 17th July.
When we first began to think about this, we were mad enough to think that July would be a good month to be outdoors. We pray that our madness may be honoured!
As we gather for this "Family Day", our leadership team has planned, amidst our worship:
- fun activities for all ages
- facts - a time to take stock of what God has been doing and where we believe he is leading us
- food - speaks for itself, a good excuse for a BBQ in the summer!
Please join us in praying for this day
- for good weather - as a means to ensure we're all full of bright sunshine
- for good company - as the breadth of our community relationships are celebrated
- for good worship - as we thank God for his goodness and faithfulness
And do join us on the day.
Loving Lord Jesus
We thank you
- for your faithfulness
- for your generous provision for all our needs
- for your call on our lives to recieve the gift of forgiveness and life
- for more than we can ask or imagine
Increase in us, we pray
thankful hearts
grace-filled lives
So that we may honour you
as we give voice to our worship
and give honour to your name
Amen
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
March Prayers 2011
My prayers are prompted this month by reflecting back on the visit to Marlow by Alf Cooper, potestant chaplain to the Chilean president. As such he was deeply involved in the Chilean mine rescue last summer and autuum.
Alf has been touring the UK telling the story of the miners as a display of God's power to save in desparate circumstances. He has been touring with Jose Henriques (the miner known as "the pastor" because of his pivotal role in turning despair into hope amongst the miners as he championed prayer and community-spirit amongst the 33 miners).
They both spoke of the extraordinary way in which God changed the lives of those men and gave some pointers for lessons to be learned around the world an in our churches
From what was happening above ground
1) The Chilean president called his country to pray "Unless God helps us, there is no hope"
It was his first reaction and his first public action. Prayer comes first
2) Chilean citizens didn't know what was happening down the mine, but prayed for God to act.
3) When church people started to despair, they called again on God's name and he answered his people's cries - often in tangible ways, and always with the encouragement to keep praying
Sometimes we pray in a "cloud of unknowing"
Meanwhile below ground
1) After the miners realised the hopeless situation they were in, one of the first things they did was to look to the man they knew to be a person of prayer and said "teach us to pray"
2) As they prayed, and as Jose and the wiser miners started to plot a survival plan, a community-spirit amongst all the miners (none were left out) emerged in which prayer, studying the bible, and a means of making decisions democratically emerged - they started working together and working through difficulties (even when democracy needed to be re-established after degenerating into fisticuffs)
3) As they prayed they began to see God answering prayers, not only in extraordinary and miraculous ways regarding their rescue, but in changing their hearts in their family relationships (as later transpired) and in bringing miraculous healing and provision of health and food against all odds.
There's much more to add (maybe others who were present would like to add thier memories of the story told), but those are three lessons from outside the situation and inside the situation.
Not surprisingly, both start with praying to the Living God who has power to save and bring hope out of despair.
In the light of this testimony to the power of God and the call to prayer, it's no coincidence that I'm writing as news is breaking of the Tsunami in Japan.
Our prayers turn to a cry to God's saving power amongst the devestating scenes that are being broadcast across the world.
Join me in praying
1) For communities (and countries?) to gather together and become more fully united in prayer for the needs of all who are caught in these events and their long term repercussions
2) For those with skills and tools to respond to the immediate needs and play a part in the lives and communities torn apart by this devestation of land and homes and businesses
3) For all those in the midst of these events to know the love of the Living God in tangible ways that turn despair into hope
4) For communities to be rebuilt around God's gift of prayer, God's word and a community spirit in which all are valued and included
Alf has been touring the UK telling the story of the miners as a display of God's power to save in desparate circumstances. He has been touring with Jose Henriques (the miner known as "the pastor" because of his pivotal role in turning despair into hope amongst the miners as he championed prayer and community-spirit amongst the 33 miners).
They both spoke of the extraordinary way in which God changed the lives of those men and gave some pointers for lessons to be learned around the world an in our churches
From what was happening above ground
1) The Chilean president called his country to pray "Unless God helps us, there is no hope"
It was his first reaction and his first public action. Prayer comes first
2) Chilean citizens didn't know what was happening down the mine, but prayed for God to act.
3) When church people started to despair, they called again on God's name and he answered his people's cries - often in tangible ways, and always with the encouragement to keep praying
Sometimes we pray in a "cloud of unknowing"
Meanwhile below ground
1) After the miners realised the hopeless situation they were in, one of the first things they did was to look to the man they knew to be a person of prayer and said "teach us to pray"
2) As they prayed, and as Jose and the wiser miners started to plot a survival plan, a community-spirit amongst all the miners (none were left out) emerged in which prayer, studying the bible, and a means of making decisions democratically emerged - they started working together and working through difficulties (even when democracy needed to be re-established after degenerating into fisticuffs)
3) As they prayed they began to see God answering prayers, not only in extraordinary and miraculous ways regarding their rescue, but in changing their hearts in their family relationships (as later transpired) and in bringing miraculous healing and provision of health and food against all odds.
There's much more to add (maybe others who were present would like to add thier memories of the story told), but those are three lessons from outside the situation and inside the situation.
Not surprisingly, both start with praying to the Living God who has power to save and bring hope out of despair.
In the light of this testimony to the power of God and the call to prayer, it's no coincidence that I'm writing as news is breaking of the Tsunami in Japan.
Our prayers turn to a cry to God's saving power amongst the devestating scenes that are being broadcast across the world.
Join me in praying
1) For communities (and countries?) to gather together and become more fully united in prayer for the needs of all who are caught in these events and their long term repercussions
2) For those with skills and tools to respond to the immediate needs and play a part in the lives and communities torn apart by this devestation of land and homes and businesses
3) For all those in the midst of these events to know the love of the Living God in tangible ways that turn despair into hope
4) For communities to be rebuilt around God's gift of prayer, God's word and a community spirit in which all are valued and included
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
February Prayers 2011
Three main things in our local prayers
1) The power of prayer
This month we play host to Alf Cooper, who tells the tale of the Chilean miners of last summer, trapped for 69 days with no human chance of living through the ordeal after being entombed by a rock fall. But for the power of prayer and the saving grace of God, their destiny was fairly certain to be the same as many mine workers in obscure and often barely cared for mines and workers. 33 miners, only one a confessing Christian on day one, fell on their knees before the living God and prayed their hearts out every day. They studied the Bible together, led by Jose, their one token Christian, and God showed up in power. They tell of the presence of a 34th man and by the time of their rescue, 25 of them were confessing a faith in the living God and the saving presence of Jesus in their lives. Ouyr prayer is that their story of hope-filled prayer and God's power will inspire the people of Marlow to call on the name of the living God in humble and heartfelt prayer.
2)
Our Team Ministry (the people of the churches of Great Marlow, Little Marlow, Marlow Bottom, Bisham and Encounter) are currently in a vacancy for the post of Team Rector. In January the ongoing leadership team met with the Bishop to plot the way forward through the vacancy period of being without a pivotal leader for the team, and plotting a way towards making the appointment of God's chosen person for this post. Our prayer htis month is that good progress will be made in putting in place the right foundations for a good appointment, including a "Team Review" (a kind of Anglican Church Ofstead) before finalising the papwerwork that candidates will view prior to discerning whether to apply to the post.
3)
Meanwhile the Encounter community, with others, is starting Lent early, with a Spiritual MoT, courtesy of the Purpose Driven Life, reminded this Sunday (6th) that our first purpose in life is to give pleaseure to God - or in more commonplace terms - to Make God Smile. In the light of this, our Sunday learning focussed on the return of the lost son to his loving Father in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15). Our prayer, then, is that we look to God and look to scripture to discern the things that will fulfil our primary purpose of creating joy in the heart of God our Father - and then do them!
Beyond these local concerns, the worlwide concern is for peace to rule with a Godly justice in Tunisia and Egypt.
1) The power of prayer
This month we play host to Alf Cooper, who tells the tale of the Chilean miners of last summer, trapped for 69 days with no human chance of living through the ordeal after being entombed by a rock fall. But for the power of prayer and the saving grace of God, their destiny was fairly certain to be the same as many mine workers in obscure and often barely cared for mines and workers. 33 miners, only one a confessing Christian on day one, fell on their knees before the living God and prayed their hearts out every day. They studied the Bible together, led by Jose, their one token Christian, and God showed up in power. They tell of the presence of a 34th man and by the time of their rescue, 25 of them were confessing a faith in the living God and the saving presence of Jesus in their lives. Ouyr prayer is that their story of hope-filled prayer and God's power will inspire the people of Marlow to call on the name of the living God in humble and heartfelt prayer.
2)
Our Team Ministry (the people of the churches of Great Marlow, Little Marlow, Marlow Bottom, Bisham and Encounter) are currently in a vacancy for the post of Team Rector. In January the ongoing leadership team met with the Bishop to plot the way forward through the vacancy period of being without a pivotal leader for the team, and plotting a way towards making the appointment of God's chosen person for this post. Our prayer htis month is that good progress will be made in putting in place the right foundations for a good appointment, including a "Team Review" (a kind of Anglican Church Ofstead) before finalising the papwerwork that candidates will view prior to discerning whether to apply to the post.
3)
Meanwhile the Encounter community, with others, is starting Lent early, with a Spiritual MoT, courtesy of the Purpose Driven Life, reminded this Sunday (6th) that our first purpose in life is to give pleaseure to God - or in more commonplace terms - to Make God Smile. In the light of this, our Sunday learning focussed on the return of the lost son to his loving Father in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15). Our prayer, then, is that we look to God and look to scripture to discern the things that will fulfil our primary purpose of creating joy in the heart of God our Father - and then do them!
Beyond these local concerns, the worlwide concern is for peace to rule with a Godly justice in Tunisia and Egypt.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
January Prayers 2011
Someone once described prayer to me as "allowing our hearts to beat in tune with God's heart". As we start our new year as a worshipping community, our minds are turned to ask "what has God got in store for us?"
- For us as individuals?
- For us as the Encounter worshipping community?
- For us as the people who long for church in Marlow to be More Than Sunday?
- For us as part of the the Marlow Anglican Team, Churches Together in Marlow, the universal church?
Our call to prayer at the start of the year is to seek God's direction, his fresh purpose for us.
So whilst it it would be premature to suggest the detailed outcomes of our prayers, a guide would be Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6 - seek first the rule of God.
Jesus taught that we need seek only one thing - seek the Rule of God. This good and love-inspired rule has consequences for our personal lives, our social networks and communities, our national and international societies. God's rule enriches every dimension of the world he longs to bless with his version of justice, peace, faith hope and love. Everything else, then, is of secondary consequence. All our day to day, material concerns are trawled along in the undertow of that mighty force of God's Love in action - his Rule renews, restores, redeems our relationships, our communities and the very fabric of our existence in the world.
It's going to be an exciting journey, no doubt with all kinds of ups and downs along the way
So join us in prayer as we discover what God has in store for us and allow our hearts to beat with his.
- For us as individuals?
- For us as the Encounter worshipping community?
- For us as the people who long for church in Marlow to be More Than Sunday?
- For us as part of the the Marlow Anglican Team, Churches Together in Marlow, the universal church?
Our call to prayer at the start of the year is to seek God's direction, his fresh purpose for us.
So whilst it it would be premature to suggest the detailed outcomes of our prayers, a guide would be Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6 - seek first the rule of God.
Jesus taught that we need seek only one thing - seek the Rule of God. This good and love-inspired rule has consequences for our personal lives, our social networks and communities, our national and international societies. God's rule enriches every dimension of the world he longs to bless with his version of justice, peace, faith hope and love. Everything else, then, is of secondary consequence. All our day to day, material concerns are trawled along in the undertow of that mighty force of God's Love in action - his Rule renews, restores, redeems our relationships, our communities and the very fabric of our existence in the world.
It's going to be an exciting journey, no doubt with all kinds of ups and downs along the way
So join us in prayer as we discover what God has in store for us and allow our hearts to beat with his.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Prayer for December 2010
This term we've been firming up our foundations of the the kind of community we want Encounter to be: We've been going "Back to our roots", looking at Acts chapter 2 - the account of the earliest believers who - through the saving work of Jesus and the renewing work of the Holy Spirit became the New Community of God's People".
They based their life on
- Looking to Scripture, as God's word to his people, for instruction, guidance and inspiration
- Turning to Prayer, tuning into God's presence and purpose for his people and his world
- Giving God thanks in our Worship, as our response to the death and resurrection of Jesus
- Building the community life of the church - as a body of people learning to love as God loves us
As a result, the fruits of their life together was
- Demonstrating the love of Jesus through their generosity and compassion for people in any kind of need
- Demonstrating the power of Jesus as God revealed his ability to heal and work beyond our wildest imagination to bring the world in line with his plan and purpose.
It was an amazing era for the church - their life together was so appealing that people were turning to follow Jesus and joining this new community .... every day. I long for the church across our land - and especially in Marlow - to also be so appealing that people in Marlow flock to become part of our churches !!
So this is my prayer
Heavenly Father
We thank you that you have drawn us together as a community of your people
We pray that you guide us and direct us as we seek your voice amongst us.
We thank you for the gift of the Bible to teach us and train us as your people
We pray that, as we seek to get more out of your word, we might be true to your calling
We thank you that Jesus died to bring us new life,
We pray that our lives will reflect our desire to worship you in Spirit and in Truth
We thank you that your Holy Spirit enables us to love as Jesus loves us
We pray that our love for one another will be an appealing example to others
And as we align ourselves to your will and purpose
we pray that you will make our witness fruitful
as our life together overflows in sharing the love and power of Jesus
in our neighbourhoods and networks
and that you grow your church as a witness to your work
and a sign of your rule in the world
Amen
They based their life on
- Looking to Scripture, as God's word to his people, for instruction, guidance and inspiration
- Turning to Prayer, tuning into God's presence and purpose for his people and his world
- Giving God thanks in our Worship, as our response to the death and resurrection of Jesus
- Building the community life of the church - as a body of people learning to love as God loves us
As a result, the fruits of their life together was
- Demonstrating the love of Jesus through their generosity and compassion for people in any kind of need
- Demonstrating the power of Jesus as God revealed his ability to heal and work beyond our wildest imagination to bring the world in line with his plan and purpose.
It was an amazing era for the church - their life together was so appealing that people were turning to follow Jesus and joining this new community .... every day. I long for the church across our land - and especially in Marlow - to also be so appealing that people in Marlow flock to become part of our churches !!
So this is my prayer
Heavenly Father
We thank you that you have drawn us together as a community of your people
We pray that you guide us and direct us as we seek your voice amongst us.
We thank you for the gift of the Bible to teach us and train us as your people
We pray that, as we seek to get more out of your word, we might be true to your calling
We thank you that Jesus died to bring us new life,
We pray that our lives will reflect our desire to worship you in Spirit and in Truth
We thank you that your Holy Spirit enables us to love as Jesus loves us
We pray that our love for one another will be an appealing example to others
And as we align ourselves to your will and purpose
we pray that you will make our witness fruitful
as our life together overflows in sharing the love and power of Jesus
in our neighbourhoods and networks
and that you grow your church as a witness to your work
and a sign of your rule in the world
Amen
Intro - what is this?
Hi all
This is a first attempt to encourage the members of Encounter and the Marlow Anglican Team to
"Pray with understanding" - gathering our prayers together on specific topics.
We hope that we can use this on two levels
Level 1 - You can use this just to see what prayer topics are on the minds of the writers (well, me [ Paul H ] at the moment)
Level 2 - You can post your own prayer topic as a comment to the current month. Please be aware that the topics are open to the world, so if there's something confidential, or you want to keep names of people to yourself, just use general terms (eg Please pray for my friend who's just been made redundant / been diagnosed with man-flu)
As well as using it to ask God to do stuff, Philipians 4 tells us "Tell God your needs and don't forget to thank God for his answers", so please post your rejoicing at answered prayer in "Thank you" prayer comments
We'll review how this goes over the next few months
This is a first attempt to encourage the members of Encounter and the Marlow Anglican Team to
"Pray with understanding" - gathering our prayers together on specific topics.
We hope that we can use this on two levels
Level 1 - You can use this just to see what prayer topics are on the minds of the writers (well, me [ Paul H ] at the moment)
Level 2 - You can post your own prayer topic as a comment to the current month. Please be aware that the topics are open to the world, so if there's something confidential, or you want to keep names of people to yourself, just use general terms (eg Please pray for my friend who's just been made redundant / been diagnosed with man-flu)
As well as using it to ask God to do stuff, Philipians 4 tells us "Tell God your needs and don't forget to thank God for his answers", so please post your rejoicing at answered prayer in "Thank you" prayer comments
We'll review how this goes over the next few months
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