Day 101

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour is going to take a break during the month of August to allow staff and regular contributors to take some time off and rest. So, this will be our last week of Prayer Hour before we break for the summer holiday.

Today, we ask the question
What has God been saying to me during lockdown? 

Firstly, wow! 101 days of Prayer Hour! I remember being in the office at PBC all those months ago with Rueben, Joel, and Will (minus the moustache). We were all talking about what church may be going to look like during lockdown, and Rueben first mentioned Prayer Hour.

I know I speak for everyone who has taken part, that leading you into a time of prayer has been a real privilege. During the Prayer Hours and throughout lockdown I’ve learnt a lot. So, today we’re going to have a look at some things that I’ve experienced, however, we’re going to be doing something a little different… I have composed a letter… to me before lockdown. You can proofread it with me.

Nate

Key verse: Philippians 3:5-6

Question to ask ourselves:

How does your faith compare to now and to before lockdown?
Has what you’ve experienced during the past month moulded and challenged it?It is a beautiful thing, personal faith. Everyone’s faith is different. Everyone has, not just during lockdown, had different experiences that have brought them to where their personal faith is today. It’s amazing what a simple idea like joining in prayer can do to one’s personal faith. As we take this break, I pray that you have gained and grown because of Prayer Hour and that you have a joy new for coming into God’s presence.“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.”

Day 100

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour is going to take a break during the month of August to allow staff and regular contributors to take some time off and rest. So, this will be our last week of Prayer Hour before we break for the summer holiday.

Today, we ask the question
What has God been saying to me during lockdown? 

How does God speak to you?

* Through the Bible?
* Through other wise Christians?
* Through a set of circumstances?
* Through an audible voice?
* All of the above?

What has God been speaking to me about during lockdown? 

I have become very aware of how many verses there are in the Bible on the theme of the oppressed, orphans and widows. 

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless and the widow. Isaiah 1. 17

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free. Isaiah 58. 6

Religion that is pure and undefined before God, the father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction. James 1. 27

These verses, and many similar ones, show us God’s heart. He doesn’t want empty rituals but instead He wants us to have hearts of love just as He has. 
Who are the widows and orphans and those who are oppressed? They are those who have no power, finance or ability to change their difficult situations themselves. 

God is asking me, and, dare I say, us, to be alert on a daily basis to how we can change the situations of today’s widows, orphans and oppressed. There are numerous ways we could do this but here are just three that have all been mentioned during prayer hour already.

* Help out Sid on the Embassy bus (when it is back in operation!) 
www.embassybus.org

* Sponsor a child through Compassion
www.compassionuk.org

* Support the Dalits through Life Association
www.lifeassociation.org.uk

Prayer

Father God,
Help us as individuals and as a church family to step into action on behalf of today’s widows, orphans and oppressed. Help us not to be distracted by the unimportant but to be alert to the needs of the powerless.
Amen

Day 99

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour is going to take a break during the month of August to allow staff and regular contributors to take some time off and rest. So, this will be our last week of Prayer Hour before we break for the summer holiday.

Today, we ask the question
What has God been saying to me during lockdown? 

I can't quite believe that I am writing day 99 of the prayer hour (I'm gutted I cant be on day 100!). We have now had months of new technology, quizzes, waiting, boredom, creativity and singing Happy Birthday while washing our hands.

At the beginning of Lockdown, we were busier than ever, trying to get all our groups online, update our website and online communications and work out how to livestream. Although this time was exciting and new, the need for rest to avoid burn out was vital. With the usual comforts that come with being part of a great and growing church were stripped away, some people felt a sense of relief and others felt vulnerable and lost. 

Either way forced us to search for what our christian faith is all about and how to maintain a healthy spiritual life without a Sunday service. 

"I think we all sense this is a time when God is pressing the re-boot button on the church’s hard drive"

What has God been saying to me during lockdown?

For so long we have been focused on the HOW and not the WHY of church and our faith. The HOW is the tools to achieve the WHY. This can be how we do a church service, the songs we sing, the building and the church meetings and rules etc.. All these things are important but they shouldn't be confused with our WHY. The HOWs need to and must change or they become religious. 

The WHY is something we should obsess over, not the HOW.

WHY do we a faith? 
WHY do we share our faith? 
WHY us? 

We do all of this because of the LOVE we have received from the father, the sacrifice his Son made for us and the need to show the world. The most important thing should be HIM. If we are not fired up and in constant dialogue with the KING, then the HOW really doesn’t matter.

"Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean but it will be cold. The prayer room is the boiler room for its spiritual life" (Leonard Ravenhill)

The importance of a Healthy Spiritual Life 

I love Luke 5:16 because it shows that just like you and me, Jesus needed a break from the demands of his busy life to recharge his batteries and spend time with his Heavenly Father. The life of Christ is intended to give us examples we can follow and learn from. So, even though he was God incarnate, Jesus didn’t draw on his superpowers as the Son of God when it came to facing life’s challenges. Instead, when he was exhausted or burdened or in need of spiritual refreshment, he would “slip away” to pray — plugging into the power, perception, and purpose that can only be found in God’s presence.

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Luke 5:16, AMP

Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us, and looking ahead at 2020, I believe it has never been more important for God’s people to be on our knees.

I have been reminded that being connected to the Father is THE most important thing - more important that church. I encourage you all to make it a priority, being with the Father daily! 

Day 98

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour is going to take a break during the month of August to allow staff and regular contributors to take some time off and rest. So, this will be our last week of Prayer Hour before we break for the summer holiday.

Tuesday, Bob Webb joins us to talk all things ‘WEC Camp’.
 

Psalm 78: 1-7 (Good News Version)

 Listen, my people, to my teaching, and pay attention to what I say. I am going to use wise sayings and explain mysteries from the past, things we have heard and known, things that our ancestors told us. We will not keep them from our children; we will tell the next generation about the Lord's power and his great deeds and the wonderful things he has done. He gave laws to the people of Israel and commandments to the descendants of Jacob. He instructed our ancestors to teach his laws to their children, so that the next generation might learn them and in turn should tell their children. In this way they also will put their trust in God and not forget what he has done, but always obey his commandments.

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WEC Camp Everywhere

Today, we are focusing on WEC Camps.  Children and adults from PBC have attended WEC Camps for over thirty years.  WEC Camps are organised by the UK youth department of WEC International, the mission agency founded by C. T. Studd. The camp programme started in 1948.

The purpose behind the camps is two-fold.  Firstly, to introduce young people to the Lord Jesus Christ and to help them grow in their faith.  The verses from Psalm 78 stress the importance of teaching the younger generations.  
Camp has another purpose, too.  Each year, campers and leaders are challenged about how they are to serve God both now and in the future, whether in a full-time position in the UK or overseas, or as students, or through their secular occupation and in the work of their own church.

This summer, instead of pitching tents and holding camp in the traditional way, a virtual camp programme is being planned.  WEC Camp Everywhere!
Commencing on the evening on Monday 3rd August and running throughout each day that week, there will be a programme offered on-line.  Each morning, there will be a Bible teaching meeting. The theme will be ‘Living in Hope’ and will focus on five ‘truths’ found in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.  This will be followed by age-appropriate interactive activities and discussions.
Each afternoon, there will be a range of optional activities on offer, some presented live, some pre-recorded.  In the evenings, there will be a time focusing on Mission, including Cambodia, Senegal, Chad, Mexico, Congo and The Gambia.

Please remember WEC Camp Everywhere in your prayers and especially:

  1. Michael as he brings the Bible teaching.

  2. Rob and Jo, who are co-ordinating the activity programme.

  3. The team responsible for the technical elements and that the technology will work smoothly

  4. For the adults from PBC involved in various aspects of the programme, including Andy, Destiny, Ellie, Rachael, Sarah and Sarah. 

  5. For the campers, that the Holy Spirit will be preparing their hearts to receive from God.


‘Tell your children about it; they will tell their children, who in turn will tell the next generation.’  (Joel 1: 3)

Day 97

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour is going to take a break during the month of August to allow staff and regular contributors to take some time off and rest. So, this will be our last week of Prayer Hour before we break for the summer holiday.

Today, Reuben is in the church building with Dave Dyball, who is showing us the progress the Building Team have made on our new café zone, and also with Jonathan Ayres, who is talking us through plans for the re-opening of the church building.

Tuesday, Bob Webb joins us to talk all things ‘WEC Camp’.
Then on Wednesday to Saturday, Will, Hil, Nate, Emma and Tim will be answering the question – ‘What do you think God’s been saying to you in lockdown?’

Pray

Thank God for our Building Team. Pray that our new café area will be used as a place of welcome, family, justice, evangelism, well-being, peace… and great coffee!

Thank God for our Health and Safety Team. Pray for wisdom as they draw up plans and risk assessments for the safe re-opening of the church building.

Worship
God I look to you - CLICK HERE

Although Prayer Hour won’t be happening in August, there are plenty of Christian festivals, conferences, events and devotional materials to keep you busy and growing in Jesus. Here are just some of the suggestions

Festivals / Conferences / Events

CREATION FEST – 20th July and every Monday - CLICK HERE

KESWICK CONVENTION – 27th-31st July - CLICK HERE

NEW WINE – 30th July – 3 August -CLICK HERE

ONE EVENT – 28th-29th August - CLICK HERE

MESSAGE LIVE – Every Monday to Friday - CLICK HERE

Devotional

LECTIO 365 – 24/7 PRAYER - CLICK HERE
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR – NICKY GUMBEL - CLICK HERE

Day 96

THIN SPACE

This week in Prayer Hour, we’re going to be checking out the Parables of Jesus – the stories Jesus told about life in his Kingdom.

Today: The Parable of the Great Banquet

Luke 14: 15-24

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out.

Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

So what does it all mean?

The point that Jesus is trying to make is that the metaphorical banquet is ready, and He has come to Israel to bring her to it. Sadly, many are so preoccupied with their own understanding and expectations that they're unwilling to join Him. But that doesn't mean He's calling off the invitation!

He is now extending grace to those who have been shut out of the invitation. He's even going outside of Israel to Gentiles who weren't part of the initial request. This opportunity to enjoy a lavish meal with the Master will be lost for some—but it's being extended to others.

So, what is this saying to us??

We are included! We all have an invite, our name is on the guest list, all we need to do is accept the invitation.

This is the gospel it’s for everyone! 

Have you accept your invitation?

Pray

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Songs

What A Beautiful Name - CLICK HERE
Reckless Love - CLICK HERE
Come As You Are by - CLICK HERE

Day 95

THIN SPACE

This week in Prayer Hour, we’re going to be checking out the Parables of Jesus – the stories Jesus told about life in his Kingdom.

Today: The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:13-21

 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

The Message

We find Jesus in Luke 12 preaching to what would have been thousands gathered and as he speaks, he’s interrupted by a man seeking a selfish request. This is a fantastic example of Jesus knowing the heart of a person – He knew what the man needed better than what this man thought he needed. He needed a change of heart. So, Jesus gave him and us this rich parable on the rich fool.

Jesus’ aim through this parable was to warn of covetousness - the destruction it can bring to your life, and how it can lead to other sins in your life.

We’ll be looking at 4 different reasons the man of the parable was tagged a fool:

  1. Because he thought only of himself.

  2. Because he only thought of the present pleasure and the pursuit of pleasure.

  3. Because he forgot about the gravity of life.

  4. Because he forgot about his own mortality.
     

Don’t forget about God! Whether it be in times of plenty or times of need, don’t be a fool. Remember God in whatever circumstance, be rich toward God. We need to say “Here God! Here is my time, my talents, my treasures.”


Life is precious, let’s place it into God’s hands in all aspects.

Day 94

THIN SPACE

This week in Prayer Hour, we’re going to be checking out the Parables of Jesus – the stories Jesus told about life in his Kingdom.

Today: The Parable of The Wise and Foolish Builders

The parable of the wise and foolish builders
 
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock
And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it

The Message

Is Jesus just giving out good advice to the construction industry of Judea? 
Was Jesus anticipating that in a couple of thousand years a church called PBC would kick off a building refurb?
Or was Jesus talking to something far more foundational in nature, much deeper and more significant?
Exactly what kind of house is Jesus even describing here?
 
This is a parable that comes at the end of the Sermon on The Mount. 
It’s a parable, but a little less like a parable than many others... 
We read in Matthew 13: 10-17 why Jesus talks to people in parables
On this occasion it seems conspicuous that He’s a bit more open in what He’s really talking about…. 

WHY?
 
Twice Jesus refers to people who have heard his words. 
What words is He referring to? 
Perhaps the ones He just said… 
He just described in the most radical terms ever what His ways are, what the ways of His Kingdom are, how His people are to live!
 
Jesus describes in this parable, in just a few words, that draw together all the others in the Sermon on The Mount, the absolute foundation of life!
 
It’s no coincidence that Jesus talks about the wisdom of building on The Rock. 
It wasn’t just a useful metaphor to get a point across
Jesus is always deliberate and specific in every word He uses
John 12:49 tells us that Jesus only said what The Father told him to say
 
Jesus is The Rock He’s describing, The Rock of Salvation!
Jesus is speaking to a huge crowd of Jews
To them, what Jesus said would have been even more transparent than it is for us. 
The Rock of Salvation is spread all over the Jewish scriptures, the Tanak, what we call the Old Testament 
 
Read Numbers 20:2-13, and then 1 Corinthians 10:1-5
 
What we can see from these verses is that Jesus isn’t only interested in that we know He is The Rock, He wants us to know The Rock, to know His ways, his nature!
 
This is the foundational point Jesus is driving at. 
If people don’t start with a correctly aligned vision of who He is, what He is like, How He feels towards us, and base an intimate relationship with Him on those understandings, everything from then onward will be skewed and unstable, like a wall 

built with Demolition Dave Dyball’s kinky spirit level! 
It might take years, but eventually the statement “and great was the fall of it” will apply
 
So what do we learn from studying The Rock across the old testament, by reading what He did in the Gospels, by spending time with Him, by trusting Him?
He is GOOD, better than we can ever imagine or even comprehend! All His thoughts toward us are loving toward us, for our welfare, and to prosper us, to give us a joy filled certain future!
 
If you fancy yourself as a theologian, is the central pillar of your theology the absolute extreme goodness of God? 
If it’s not, get back into the secret place with Jesus
Without that strong foundation, any theology can bend and twist in ways Jesus is definitely not impressed with
Church history is littered with tragic examples of what that leads to!
 
When we study anything in the bible, or approach any situation He leads us into, do we approach it knowing He is Good? If we don’t, we won’t be able to see or to hear Jesus clearly!
 
So how do we ensure we build our house on The Rock, the house that Jesus wants to move into as Holy Spirit?
We get real with Him, get vulnerable, open and honest (even about the bad things in our lives), we hide nothing, strive to honour Our Father through obedience, get intimate in our love for Him, and hungry in our desire for the limitless more of Him!
 
Jesus modelled for us how to live life, as a man, emptied out of His divinity, completely dependent on The Father, living by every word of The Father
Jesus wants us to likewise be people of Ephesians 5:1-2 
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
 
Moses and the Israelites had the opportunity to get to that place with Him about 3500 years ago, but they chose fear over love and disobeyed out of a trust failure
They couldn’t enter the promised land as a result

Let’s strive to not make the same mistake, we can trust Jesus, and we have the benefit of a vastly bigger wealth of testimony that proves His perfect goodness!

Prayer Suggestions

That Holy Spirit would highlight to us any areas of our foundations that He can see are in need attention
That we would have a new, deeper, fuller, squashed in, pressed down, shaken together, joy filled revelation of God’s extreme goodness!
That in our every moment and decision, throughout each and every day, we’d be mindful of the choices we make, that Holy Spirit would empower us with the boldness to only to choose love over fear, and to trust Jesus
That Holy Spirit would gift us the wisdom to never fall for the shame tactics of the devil if we do fall for fear

Worship

I love Your presence  - CLICK HERE
Always Good  - CLICK HERE
I've Got the Joy Joy Joy - CLICK HERE