Day 53

THIN SPACE

Schools and education

Today we will be praying over the schools in the UK. Praying for the pupils and the teachers that find themselves in a time like no other, a time of fear, a time of struggle, a time full of questions.

As we pray let us remember the awesome God that we serve, a God of love, a God that strengthens, a God that brings wisdom.

On the 20th of March, the doors to our schools in the UK closed for many. The work and lives of teachers and students have looked vastly different since.

Before lockdown there was a massive 8.2 million pupils attending 24,372 schools in England (including nursery schools, state-funded primary schools, state-funded secondary schools, special schools, pupil referral units and independent schools.) Now most of those young people have had to take their studies online and into their homes. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Let us today pray that the teachers and students will know this verse for themselves. That all fear at this time will be replaced with power, love, and a sound mind. 

Prayer for our teachers

  • Pray all teachers, at home and those still going into schools, be kept safe 

  • That our school teachers will be encouraged and strengthened

  • That at this time of lockdown the education provided will be engaging and fruitful That the teachers and workers will be patient with themselves and each other

  • Pray that God will give them the grace to deal with all the day-to-day frustrations and problems

  • Pray for those teachers that know Jesus, that they will be a witness and will show His love during this time

  • Thank God for all those incredible teachers He has provided us with

  • Thank Him for providing the countries teachers with the online tools to still connect with their students. 

Prayer for our students

  • That the students will remain protected and safe

  • That they continue to engage with learning and that they will flourish in their education

  • That they will feel encouraged

  • That all anxiety and fear will be taken from them

  • That clarity and answers will be provided to those that are worried about their future

  • That the young people in abusive and unsafe homes will be protected

  • Pray for the parents of the pupils who have become their teachers that they will have wisdom and patience


Worship

See a Victory – Elevation Worship - CLICK HERE

Day 52

THIN SPACE

Care Sector

Background 
 

The UK has a population with a rising life expectancy/ ageing population
There are over 1.6million people in the UK over the age of 85 
There are 850,000 thousand people in the UK with dementia
Social care contributes £20Billion to the UK economy 
1.4 million UK workers are employed in the social care sector.

Social care includes child protection, youth work, people suffering with their mental health, people with learning and physical disabilities and vulnerable children and adults.

Corona-virus

According to the UK office of National Statistics on 15th May 2020, there had been 36,639 Corona-virus related deaths in the 65+ age group out of a total UK deaths of 41,220. 16,962 of those deaths were amongst people aged 85+, 46% of the total. 

We hear stories in the news regarding what is going on in care homes around the country. 

Impact

This has resulted in many families loosing loved ones. 
This has resulted in a stressful time for those working on the front line in the care sector.
This has resulted in a stressful time for many families, looking after relatives who have learning and physical disabilities. 
This has resulted in a stressful time for people who have mental health problems. 
This has resulted in a lot of worry and stress for millions of elderly people in the UK, particularly those in care homes/ supported living. 

Poynton and beyond

In Poynton there are various care homes, such as Carmel Lodge Care Home, Parklands Care Home, Oakland Court (Assisted Living), MHA Woodlands Nursing and Dementia Care Home, Clumber House Nursing Home.
Maybe you can find out some of the names of the care homes close to where you live so that you can pray for them by name and for the staff and residents who live and work there. 

Let’s pray for

God-given wisdom and courage for our UK Government as they make decisions regarding these challenges. 

The vulnerable elderly people for whom this is a scary and stressful time, many in care homes but also more widely across the UK. 

Care staff working on the front line, putting their own lives at risk to care for the vulnerable and elderly.

Families across the UK supporting loved ones who fall under the social care bracket. 

Prayer for the demands of social workers and foster carers. 

Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your Neighbour as yourself’

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

At this time we may not be able to visit the vulnerable but we can certainly pray for them!

God of this City - CLICK HERE

Day 51

THIN SPACE

This week on Prayer Hour we’re going out and about!

We’re going to be praying outside government buildings, outside health centres, outside businesses, outside care homes, outside schools and outside churches. Praying that God will bless them, guide them and give them oodles of wisdom in this time of pandemic.

Businesses and Shops

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Jeremiah 29:7

Today we are going to be praying for the businesses, shops and the UK economy. Many business owners have had to make really difficult decisions that impact so many people. With the unemployment rate at the highest it has been in a long time, we need to start seeking the prosperity of Poynton, Cheshire and Manchester. 

Pray

Pray for those who have lost their jobs

Pray for business owners making difficult decisions 

Pray for the UK economy to bounce back quickly 

Pray that our local business survive this 

Pray that we will see Poynton, Chestier and Manchester prosper 

Worship 

God of this City - CLICK HERE

Day 50

Thin Space

This week on Prayer Hour we’re going out and about!

We’re going to be praying outside government buildings, outside health centres, outside businesses, outside care homes, outside schools and outside churches. Praying that God will bless them, guide them and give them oodles of wisdom in this time of pandemic.

Philippians 4:6-7 - The Message 

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.

Health Centres and Workers 

Father God we come to you now, we still ourselves in your presence and cast our cares on you! 

Pray

We Pray: 

  • For the sick and infected: God, heal and help. Sustain bodies and spirits. Contain the spread of infection.

  • For our vulnerable populations: God, protect our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. 

  • For the poor, especially the uninsured across the world who will struggle to receive treatment, Lord please provide for them.

  • For those with mental health challenges who feel isolated, anxious, and helpless: God, provide them every necessary support.

  • For frontline health care workers, we thank you for their vocational call to serve us. 

  • We also pray: God, keep them safe and healthy. Keep their families safe and healthy.

  • God, help them to be knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, as well as the changing protocols.

  • God, help them to stay clear-minded in the midst of the surrounding panic.

  • God, deliver them from anxiety for their own loved ones (aging parents, children, spouses, roommates).

  • God, give them compassion for every patient in their care.

  • God, provide for them financially, especially if they fall ill and are unable to work.

  • God, help Christians in health care to exhibit extraordinary peace, so that many would ask about the reason for their hope. Give them opportunities to proclaim the gospel.

Pray the words of this song over our broken world today: 

Move - CLICK HERE

Day 49

Thin Space

This week on Prayer Hour we’re going out and about!

We’re going to be praying outside government buildings, outside health centres, outside businesses, outside care homes, outside schools and outside churches. Praying that God will bless them, guide them and give them oodles of wisdom in this time of pandemic.

Government Buildings

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
(1 Timothy 2: 1-4)

Pray

Join us from Poynton Town Hall as we pray for ‘all those in authority’ over us, all those making decisions on our behalf, all those leading us through this time of crisis.
Pray that our leaders might be filled with wisdom, courage but above all compassion as they seek to lead this nation through the Coronavirus crisis.

My Prayer
This is my prayer – that the leaders of our world, our nation, our cities, towns and villages would make this song, their anthem

You Are My Vision - CLICK HERE

Day 48

THIN SPACE

This week in Prayer Hour we’re checking out the world’s most famous prayer.

“Father, 
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. 
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. 
And lead us not into temptation.”
(Luke 11:2-4)

TEMPTATION

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. (Message)

And lead us not into temptation. (NIV)

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13)

So does God really lead us into temptation?

Let's be clear God doesn’t tempt us! 

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
 James 1:13-15 

When tempted God does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bare..

...And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

But when he does allow it, we often grow from having to deal with it.

Jesus was tempted in the desert by the Devil but the same Holy Spirit that was alive in him is alive in us and therefore since Jesus overcame his temptation we also can. But, it's important that we learn from Jesus’ experience and the importance of knowing God’s word, as scripture is our weapon to overcome the battle.

Take time to learn some scripture today 

Songs

Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) - CLICK HERE
Valley - Chris McClarney - CLICK HERE
See A Victory - Elevation Worship - CLICK HERE
Jeremy Camp - Overcome - CLICK HERE

Day 47

THIN SPACE

This week in Prayer Hour we’re checking out the world’s most famous prayer.

“Father, 
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. 
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. 
And lead us not into temptation.”
(Luke 11:2-4)

Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us

 What would you say is the meaning of life?
For many a large part to life is the relationships we have.
Our relationships with others and with God bring us meaning, joy, challenges, and the sense of belonging.

These are the reasons why I love all my friendships, family, colleagues, and being part of a vibrant exciting church. Above all of these we can celebrate the amazing relationship we have and can have with our Father, with Jesus Christ. What a privilege!

This part of the Lord’s Prayer concentrates on seeking out forgiveness. In honouring our relationships Jesus tells us to bring all our burdens to our Father who will always forgive, but also to be that example of agape love to everyone who has hurt us. 

God wants us to live our lives to the full, healthy lives that do not bring division nor pain to ourselves or others. Relationships can be a challenge, and the ones we love can bring pain into our lives. It’s hard for us to not let those things then fester and for us to become bitter. But we have the power to do the same for them as our Father has done for us, to forgive.

Maybe you have things in your life today that you want to bring before God, maybe there are things that you feel are getting in the way. Maybe your relationships with others have become stagnant, maybe there are wrongs against you that you are needing to forgive.

Let’s take this hour to bring all of these things to our Father, here’s is an opportunity to give over, let go, and forgive.

Worship

This is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham - CLICK HERE

The Lord’s Prayer – Hillsong - CLICK HERE

King of the broken – Darlene Zschech - CLICK HERE

Day 46

THIN SPACE

This week in Prayer Hour we’re checking out the world’s most famous prayer.

“Father, 
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. 
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. 
And lead us not into temptation.”
(Luke 11:2-4)

Bread
 ‘Give us each day our daily bread.’ Jesus continues to remind us that this prayer is about relationship and dependence.  He is saying ask the Father each day to meet our needs.  Be dependent on Him. Why? Because Abba Father loves us, His children, beyond measure. He wants to provide for us, protect us, wants the very best for us and is a generous Father.  

Ask Him for food for our bodies to give us strength and nourishment and spiritual food for our souls because He is the bread of life.  Not every now and then, but daily coming to deepen our relationship with Him, to grow closer to Him, recognising more and more how deeply He cares for us. The closer our relationship to Him, the better we are able to trust Him to meet our needs, to be Jehovah Jirah (The Lord provider).

            ‘Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything (every circumstance and situation) by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your (specific) requests known to God.  And the peace of God (that peace which reassures the heart, that peace) which transcends all understanding, (that peace which) stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (is yours).’  Phil 4: Amplified Bible

Pray

For ourselves
That we would draw closer to Him

Thank Him for the provision you have received

What are our needs?  What do we need to ask Him for today?  

Let’s ask Him to show us if He wants to use us to be part of His provision for someone else – picking up meds, a phone call, a prayer………


For others

For those who need His provision today – food – finance – strength ….

For the anxious and fearful that they have strength for each day and would come to know His peace

For wisdom for all those making difficult decisions during this crisis – the Government, Councils, all care systems, businesses, schools……

Songs
Your Love is Strong (Jon Foreman) - CLICK HERE
Good Good Father  (Chris Tomlin) - CLICK HERE