Day 61

THIN SPACE

Confession
Prayer Hour this week is all about confession.
Each day at 12 midday, we’re going to be seeking God’s forgiveness for huge areas in our lives and in our communities where we have discriminated, where we have abused, where we have shown prejudice.

Today we’re dealing with the sin of racism.

All One…
God does not show favouritism (Acts 10:34)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)
 
And Yet…

  • In the 2019 there were 78,991 racist hate crimes in the UK

  • Despite BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) people making up just 8% of the UK population, 48% of all under 18s in prison come from a BAME background

  • Those from a Bangladeshi or Pakistani household earn £9000 a year less than those coming from a white British household

  • Those from a Caribbean household earn £5500 a year less than those coming from a white British household

  • Those coming from a BAME background rarely find senior positions in government, in the Church, in business, in sport.

Silence
And while this happens, too often we sit in silence 
It’s time to say sorry for the silence
It’s time to repent for the silence
It’s time to turn from the silence
It’s time to stand against the silence, to stand for the marginalised, to stand against injustice
It’s time to confess…
  

Worship
Broken Vessels - CLICK HERE

Day 60

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour this week is going global!

The budget didn’t quite stretch to physical travel, so instead we’re going to visit 6 different continents in prayer! Each day our intrepid explorers will choose a country from their chosen continent to pray for.

So, Today we focus on the Republic of Haiti 

One of the top ten poorest countries in the world

Capital: Port-au-Prince 

Population 10.2 million 

Area 27,750 sq km (10,714 sq miles) 

Major languages Creole, French 
 

Religion - Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Haiti, but voodoo may be considered the country's national religion. The majority of Haitians believe in and practice at least some aspects of voodoo. Most voodooists believe that their religion can coexist with Catholicism.

Chronic instability, dictatorships and natural disasters in recent decades have left it as the poorest nation in the Americas. An earthquake in 2010 killed more than 200,000 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and the economy.


COVID19 has come late to Haiti due to the of lack of tourism


Latest as of 2nd June: 2,640 cases, 50 deaths, recovered 24
 

It is increasingly clear, as with the 2010 earthquake, that the Haitian government will not be able to adequately respond to the current crisis without increased support from the international community.

Bible says in Prov 31:8 
Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves; and ensure justice for those being crushed.

and in Psalm 82:3-4 
...Uphold the cause of the poor...

Maybe we need a reminder today of our responsibility as church to care for the poorest of this world.

GIVE, ACT & PRAY
Compassionuk.org is a great way to start being part of the solution, for just £28 you can sponsor a child through school whilst also covering their health care and discipleship.

Lets pray for Haiti that:

  • International aid is released to Haiti and that organisations like Compassion are able to do their work.

  • Wisdom for those in government 

  • An end to corruption and for aid and medical treatment to get through to those who desperately need it

  • Protection for our Christian brothers and sisters who are seeking to bring the good news of Jesus to Haiti and that the Island is transformed by the power of God.

 Songs:

Tim Hughes - God Of Justice - CLICK HERE

Leeland - Way Maker - CLICK HERE

All to Jesus I Surrender - CLICK HERE

Day 59

Thin Space

Prayer Hour this week is going global!

The budget didn’t quite stretch to physical travel, so instead we’re going to visit 6 different continents in prayer! Each day our intrepid explorers will choose a country from their chosen continent to pray for.

So, today we’re going to be praying for Australia!

On first impression Australia is a land of tranquillity, golden shorelines, peaceful politics, and good Neighbours. The perfect holiday brochure. However, over the last year and indeed throughout it’s history Australia has suffered in many areas and has gone through a great deal of hardships.

This year the world looked on in horror as Australia was on fire. 12.35 million acres of land was destroyed, over half a billion animals were perished, and lives were lost. Along with this devastation, covid19 has brought damaging effect to the people and economy of Australia. As Australians are entering their winter this July many fear that a second stronger wave of the corona virus will come.

Prayer

  • For the government of Australia. Pray that they have wisdom and guidance from God. That they will be able to bring their people through these struggling times. That they will look to and become followers of Jesus Christ.

  • That God will heal the land and homes that have been destroyed in the recent bush fires

  • For the Aborigines, the original inhabitants of Australia, they have experienced violence and discrimination since the British colonization, and racism and distrust still exist between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Pray that God will reach into the lostness of this magnificent ancient culture and that they will be provided a comfort and way forward that still preserves the uniqueness of who they are. That they will be shown a love and fellowship from all other Australians.

  • Traditionally a Christian nation with freedom of religion, Australia is becoming increasingly secular. While the majority of the population still claims to be Christian, only 10% attend church regularly. Pray that the Holy Spirit will sweep the nation, and indeed the whole continent. That the church will advance, and that revival will break out.

  • As Australia faces it’s first recession in 30 years, pray for stability and that God will provide for the needy and fearful.

Let us pray together, remembering the powerful and almighty God we serve. 
If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.  - John 14:14

Worship 

So will I (100 Billion X) – Hillsong United - CLICK HERE
Another in the fire – Hillsong United - CLICK HERE
Touch the Sky – Hillsong United - CLICK HERE

Day 58

Thin Space

Prayer Hour this week is going global!

The budget didn’t quite stretch to physical travel, so instead we’re going to visit 6 different continents in prayer! Each day our intrepid explorers will choose a country from their chosen continent to pray for.

So, today we’re going to be praying for Uganda.

Prayer points for Uganda during this time:

Uganda has so far reported 0 COVID-19 related deaths, and the current stats show there have been around 522 cases in total. The impact of CODIV-19 however has still been huge, as the lockdown has affected everybody in huge ways.\\Today, as we pray, let us focus on three specific areas:

Poverty and loss of work:

Many people have lost jobs or are unable to continue with their work due to the strict lockdown rules - there is no furlough system in place like the UK and many parents and guardians are struggling to ensure their family are fed each day. Food distribution is happening thanks to charities, organizations and churches to help those who are most in need - let us pray that this continues and that people at least have their basic needs met. Pray that funding is available to keep fueling this work and food distribution.

Public health and safety:

Pray for hospitals and healthcare workers to be able to cope with the current cases and not become overwhelmed. Pray that people are able to afford the healthcare and treatments they need.
Statistics show that domestic violence has risen globally, and with people encouraged to stay home, many Ugandan women and children are at greater risk of abuse. Pray for peace and protection for households where this is the case,

Education:

Schools will be closed for at least another month now. Many children rely on school for safety and for being fed. Children are being given work to do at home but their home environments can often be very difficult and may not receive adequate support from parents and guardians at home. Pray that schools can reopen soon in a safe way to provide a safe place for children to learn. If you have a sponsor child, pray for them by name.

Let us uphold our brothers and sisters around the world in prayer today!

Amen

Day 57

Thin Space

Prayer Hour this week is going global!

The budget didn’t quite stretch to physical travel, so instead we’re going to visit 6 different continents in prayer! Each day our intrepid explorers will choose a country from their chosen continent to pray for.

So, today we’re going to be praying for India.

Indian city's are some of the most densely populated places in the world and with over 200k cases confirmed you wonder how the story is going to play out. The government has just announced a lifting of the lockdown and experts say they haven't even reached the peak yet. 

With a harsh caste system still deeply interwoven into their society, you can only imagine the lack of support the lower castes are getting including the Dalits. 

When I visited one of the government hospitals while visiting our charity out there, I couldn't believe what I saw. They were overcrowded, hot and unclean to say the least. Outside the hospital you would find those who couldn't pay, just dumped on the roadside no matter how ill they were. Since Covid-19 they have 3 patients per bed, most people on the floor and oxygen tanks designed for one person split between 3 people. 

And if things couldn't get any worse, Mumbai and Kolkata, some of the biggest cities in India have just been hit with a Cyclone. 

India needs our Prayer!   

Prayer 
 

1. Pray for the migrant workers who have had to walk 200 mile to reach their homes due to no provision and loss of jobs in the cities. Many of you sent money to Life Association to support these families. Here is a BBC report on this - CLICK HERE

2. Pray for the Dalits and those considered low caste as they fend for themselves and left to die outside hospitals due to being born in a low caste. 

3. Pray for the people of Mumbai and Kolkata who have just been hit with a Cyclone and having to leave the city. 

4. Pray for those in the hospitals, sharing beds with 3 people. 

5. Pray over the government who are making the decisions. 

Life Association 

I have worked with a charity that works out in India for years and we using our empty school buildings as food banks. If you would like to support this work, please follow the link below to donate. 


CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Day 56

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour this week is going global!

The budget didn’t quite stretch to physical travel, so instead we’re going to visit 6 different continents in prayer! Each day our intrepid explorers will choose a country from their chosen continent to pray for.

So, today we’re going to be praying for Uruguay, Brazil & Venezuela 

Uruguay
COVID situation is stable. 

Church Situation 

Uruguay is known as one of the most secular nations in all of Latin America, with very liberal social laws.  It is estimated that as many as 17 percent of the people claim to be atheists or agnostic.  Almost half of Uruguayans claim to be Catholic, though only 2% regularly attend mass. The nation values its secular mindset, and has even been known to refer to Holy Week as “Tourism Week.” 

With some of Latin America’s highest rates of suicide, depression, abortion and divorce, many Uruguayans are realising that the New Age “do it yourself” thinking that has prevailed is not working. Whereas evangelistic work in Uruguay has been slow and painstaking in the past, it is now gaining momentum as churches and ministries focus on the spiritual needs of the people that only Jesus Christ can satisfy.

Lack of knowledge of God gives opening to a spirit of error. Afro-Brazilian Spiritism is the fastest growing religion in Uruguay. The largest non-Catholic religious bodies are cults and sects of questionable orthodoxy. While 81% believe in God, most adhere to a “do-it-yourself” spirituality influenced by New Age thinking. Pray for all religious deceptions to be exposed and the demonic powers behind them defeated.

Prayers for Uruguay 

  • Pray for spiritual maturity throughout the rapidly-growing evangelical church. 

  • Pray for the Spirit of God to transform lives within sprawling urban slums.

  • Pray for missionaries to be sent to areas and roughly 130 tribes unreached by the Gospel.

  • Pray for protection over the minds and souls of those searching demonic realms. 

CLICK HERE to watch a prayer video

Brazil Brazil is the worst COVID affected country in Latin America, followed by Argentina. 

President Jair Bolsonaro seems to be turning a blind-eye to the serious threat. He fired the previous Minister of Health, Luiz Henrique Mandetta over disagreements about social distancing guidelines. He said he would appoint a health minister who favoured reopening businesses "as quickly as possible"

Prayers for Brazil

  • Please pray for the Favelas (Brazilian slums). Lack of hygiene, constant close proximity and citizens have to leave their homes if they want to provide food for their families.  

  • Thank you God for - ‘The Send’ - 3 stadiums of people praying and fasting & seeking revival. 

  • Pray the Holy Spirit brings unity amongst the denominations. That churches will work together, rather than build up their own separate empires. 

Venezuela 

  • Pray against the political corruption and greed  

  • That God will protect citizens during protests & riots 

  • Bless the nation as it struggles with its financial collapse due to drop in oil prices, their main source of income. 

Prayer Cast from Uruguay - CLICK HERE

Day 55

THIN SPACE

Prayer Hour this week is going global!

The budget didn’t quite stretch to physical travel, so instead we’re going to visit 6 different continents in prayer! Each day our intrepid explorers will choose 1 country from their chosen continent to pray for.

So, on Tuesday – it’s all about South America, on Wednesday – it’s all about Asia, on Thursday – it’s all about Africa, on Friday – it’s all about Oceania, on Saturday – it’s all about North America, and today, it’s all about Europe (sorry Antarctica – you didn’t get a look in!)

So, today we’re going to be praying for FRANCE

France – the Covid-19 situation
152 000 cases
28 802 deaths
A country coming out of lockdown into financial despair
 
France – the Church situation
In 1990, 80% of French people called themselves Roman Catholic. In 2007 that number had dropped to just 51%.
 
In France just 2% of the population go to church.
 
In France there are just 400 000 evangelical Christians (0.7% of the population).
 
Only half the homes in France possess a Bible.
 
Only a quarter of French people have ever opened the Bible.
 
In France there are regions with only 1 protestant church for every 50 000 people.
 
In France there are regions where there is just 1 Roman Catholic priest for every 40 Roman Catholic churches.

Prayer 

‘1 Pour 10 000’ This is the dream of French churches that there would be 1 Father-loving, Jesus-centred, Spirit-filled church for every 10 000 people – pray it in!
 
Check out this video, it’ll help you pray
 
Prayer Cast France - CLICK HERE
 
Worship
 
La Bénédiction France - CLICK HERE
 
Que Dieu vous bénisse!

Day 54

THIN SPACE

The Church

With approx 2.5 billion Christians across the globe in 2020, Christianity is the largest religious group worldwide with tens of thousands of different denominations.

Unity within the Church is more important than ever so that God maybe glorified.

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 15.5-6

The God we serve is a God of unity who desires that His church live in unity and harmony built on the foundation that is Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who draws us together and the power of the Holy Spirit that make our bond stronger.

God calls the church to be a vibrant and powerful one that bears much fruit and the way we do that is by working together in perfect unity, not in perfect doctrine, perfect systems, perfect worship services or perfect leadership. That's why we are likened to a body - because what gets things done is unity in diversity. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

'Unity is both a gift from God and a task. The task is to welcome that gift and to make it visible to others.' John O’Toole - National Ecumenical Officer (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales)

In 2016 Pope Francis stressed that it is by growing closer to the person of Christ and conforming ourselves to him – personally and as a community – that we grow closer to others.  It’s ‘when we work, pray and serve the needy together, we are already united.’


Christian unity is important because Christ died to secure it.

In Ephesians 2:13-16 Paul writes,

It took the cross to break down the barrier between Jews and Gentiles and to reconcile these two formerly alienated groups into one body in the church. This is the unity Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” Christ accomplished this unity on the cross. 

Pray

Pray for unity when life feels uncertain:

Dear God, we know that you are with us and you fight for your people. We believe that it’s not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit, that you make a difference in our world.
 

Pray for wisdom to set aside differences:

Dear God, we ask that you fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all across this nation and our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. 
 

Pray for the Love we need to work together in unity

Dear God, we pray for our churches, we pray that you would surround every leader with wise counsel, that they would be humble and kind, patient and loving through their actions and words. We pray that their faith in you would be unwavering, strong, resolute, and firm.
 

Pray for Unity within the church in our Nation and across the world.

Dear God, We pray for your protection. We pray for unity in our land, that in spite of our differences, we would be willing to stand strong together and live out our days with compassion and grace. We ask that no weapon formed against us will prosper, and that you would block any attacks of the enemy.
 

We pray for your great healing on our land and that you would crush COVID 19. Shine your face on us dear Lord. Give us courage to go into all the world and take the message of the Gospel of peace. We need you just as much now as we ever have before.

Worship

The Blessing UK 

At this unique and challenging time in the United Kingdom over 65 churches and movements, representing hundreds of others, have come together online to sing a blessing over our land. Standing together as one, our desire is that this song will fill you with hope and encourage you. But the church is not simply singing a blessing, each day we're looking to practically be a blessing. Many of the churches included in this song have assisted with supplying over 400,000 meals to the most vulnerable and isolated in our nation since COVID-19 lockdown began. This alongside phone calls to the isolated, pharmacy delivery drops and hot meals to the NHS frontline hospital staff. 


The UK Blessing — Churches sing 'The Blessing' over the UK - CLICK HERE

So Will I (100 Billion X) - Hillsong Worship - CLICK HERE