Day 85

THIN SPACE

This week, Prayer Hour is all about justice, focusing in on a whole bunch of Manchester-based, Jesus-loving, Social Justice movements, aiming to punch holes in the darkness of our world to allow God’s love, God’s justice, God’s Kingdom to come pouring through.

Today – Chelwood Foodbank Plus

Foodbanks – The Stats

  • There are 2000+ foodbanks in the UK (1200 run by the Trussell Trust)

  • To get access to a foodbank in the UK you need a foodbank voucher from a person or an organisation connected to a foodbank (GP, social worker, Citizen’s Advice…)

  • In 2019, 1.6 million people used a foodbank in the UK (250,000 more than 2018)

  • In 2018-19, the Trussell Trust gave away 1.6 million 3-day emergency packs of food in the UK (a 19% increase from the year before)

Foodbanks – The Coronavirus Stats

  • During Covid-19, the Trussell Trust has seen an 81% increase in food parcels provided in the UK. (The London Borough of Brent has seen a 300% increase)

  • Research from the Food Foundation revealed that 1.5 million people in the UK are going a whole day without food during Covid-19 due to not having any money or access to food and 3 million people said they lived in a household where people were forced to skip meals during Covid-19.

Chelwood Foodbank Plus
In 2019, it issued 1537 food parcels, fed 2023 adults and 1091 children.
 
Is there enough food to go around?
YES
The world’s farmers produce enough food to feed 10 billion people – 1.5 times the global population.
 
What does the Bible say?
‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter –
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?...
‘If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
(Isaiah 58: 6-10)
 
“John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
(Luke 3:11)
 
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
(James 2: 14-17)

Pray
Pray for Chelwood Foodbank Plus, pray for their volunteers, pray for their suppliers, pray above all for their clients
Ask yourself, when it comes to food poverty – what does God require of you and of us as a church?
 
Worship
God of justice - CLICK HERE

Day 84

THIN SPACE

The Messenger

Prayer Hour this week is all about telling one person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus…
Prayer Hour this week is all about passing it on. Prayer Hour this week is all about being The Messenger.

Today’s messenger – Ananias The Messenger
Acts 9:1-19

Ananias

There are three men by the name of Ananias appear in the Bible, and each plays a role in the New Testament book of Acts. A common name among Jews, Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah and means “Yahweh has been gracious.”

We are looking at the Ananias in the Bible who played a part in the conversion story of the apostle Paul. After Saul of Tarsus was struck blind on the road to Damascus, he was led to the home of Judas on Straight Street. Three days later, Jesus spoke in a vision to Ananias. The Lord told him to go to Saul, but Ananias was afraid. He was keenly aware of Saul’s unyielding persecution of the believers in Jerusalem and his intended persecution in Damascus. God reassured Ananias, saying, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15–16).

Right away, Saul went to the synagogue in Damascus and preached about Jesus to the Jews there. Later, Saul began his ministry of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles under his Roman name, Paul. 

After that, Paul told everyone he could about Jesus—from Jerusalem to Rome. Paul spent a lot of time in jail, not that he did anything wrong, he was just a big threat to the Romans and other leaders in charge. Paul was shaking up the rules everyone who was Jewish had always followed. He was inviting non-Jewish people, known as Gentiles, to accept Jesus as their Saviour.

But there’s another reason God chose Paul: to prove He can forgive anyone (1 Timothy 1:12-16). God’s mercy can save even the most sinful person.

Psalm 103. 8-12

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever; 
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him; 
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
 

God is not looking for mindless gears in the missionary machine, but passionate lovers who seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He is not looking for “payback” from His people in the form of reluctant obedience. God is relational above all else; His love propels and sustains His followers.
Jackie Pullinger
 

So what can we do?

    1.  Talk to God, tell him you are available to be used by him.

    2.  Listen to God so you can hear his requests and go.

    3.  Support those who are literally risking their lives to be messengers. Like…

 

Open Doors - Caring for Persecuted Christians.

 www.opendoorsuk.org

 

Over 260 million Christians worldwide are persecuted. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost. With your help, Open Doors are bringing them hope and resources.

Worship

Chris Tomlin - I Will Follow - CLICK HERE
Hillsong Worship - I Surrender - CLICK HERE
Darlene Zschech - Here I Am Send Me - CLICK HERE

Day 83

THIN SPACE

The Messenger

Prayer Hour this week is all about telling one person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus…
Prayer Hour this week is all about passing it on. Prayer Hour this week is all about being The Messenger.

Today’s messenger – Philip the Evangelist

The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:34-35

Messenger Model

(Philip’s example)

Leave that comfort zone
“…the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza – the desert land.”
This story of Philip the evangelist is one that shows God’s amazing guidance and providence. It also shows us the faith of someone stepping out of their comfort zone. When the angel of the Lord came to Philip, we find him being an integral part of the church in Samaria. He was being used greatly, his work was prosperous, and the church there was at a time of revival. Then we see him say yes to being sent to the desert place. 
He goes, not asking “Why there?” “Why me?” “Why now?”

You are equipped
“But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip. The angel said, ‘Arise, and go…”
How astounding it must have been for Philip to hear the angel of the Lord speak to him and send him out. We then see how the Spirit tells him to go and meet with the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was available and he was listening to the Spirit’s guidance, but it was a simple message that he spoke to the man in the chariot – Christ crucified. If you know Christ for yourself, you are equipped to share. We often tell ourselves ‘I’m not gifted’ or ‘I’m not yet ready to evangelise’. If you have a heart for Him and a heart for the lost, you only need to be available. God wants to get His good news out, and He wants you to join in with it.

Let it be infectious
“Philip appeared in Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns.”
Just think, what a different world it would be if we all spread the word just like Philip the Evangelist.
Here was a man that had such passion for the lost and such joy of what Christ had done for him that he could not help but share wherever he went. Are our lives reflecting this? My prayer is that we will not be able to contain our gratitude, that our love of Jesus will bubble over. That no matter where God has placed us, we can tell others about the good news.

Prayer 

Lord, we look to you for your guidance.

Thank you for every sign of your grace. 
For every life transformed.
For every broken life healed.
Every lost person found.
Every one far off brought near.
Every sinner saved.
Lord it is all about you
Your grace,

As evangelists we pray for:
greater love for the lost,
Help your Church rise up to seize the day
believing that there are no ​“no-go” areas for you.
No people that cannot be reached.
No chains that cannot be broken.
So Lord, let us be a messenger
Messengers longing for your presence and for your glory.
Bringing light, hope and love wherever you send us.
We want to be part of it.

Worship

Follow you - Leeland - CLICK HERE

Day 82

THIN SPACE

The Messenger

Prayer Hour this week is all about telling one person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus…
Prayer Hour this week is all about passing it on. Prayer Hour this week is all about being The Messenger.

Today’s messenger – The Samaritan Woman

Immediate Response
Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. John 4:28

Testimony Shared
Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me everything I have every done'. John 4:39

How can we become The Messengers?

Respond to Grace not Shame

Jesus has just revealed that he knows about the Samaritan Woman's shameful relationship (John 4:16-18), yet she does not respond defensively or attempt to cover up her shame. Instead, she proclaims to many people what Jesus knew about her, in a response to his grace. Let us dwell in the forgiveness of Christ, that no shame will stop us from responding to the call of God.

Kingdom Priorities

The Samaritan Woman went to collect water but as she meets Jesus, she leaves this task in order to respond to his call. Collecting water no longer mattered. How can we hold our daily tasks loose enough that we can drop them at any moment to respond to a call of God? 

Share and Invite

People came to believe in Jesus as the Samaritan Woman shared her testimony and invited them to meet him. Her testimony was enough for them to believe until they met him for themselves. Sharing a testimony of what Jesus has done holds great power. Let us also not neglect the bold step of inviting people to know Jesus for themselves.

Prayer

Lord may we live out of grace and never shame. 
Reveal to us where your kingdom is not our priority and change our hearts.
Fill us with boldness and courage to share and invite. 

Worship 

For The Sake of The World - CLICK HERE

Day 81

THIN SPACE

The Messenger

Prayer Hour this week is all about telling one person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus…
Prayer Hour this week is all about passing it on. Prayer Hour this week is all about being The Messenger.

Today’s messenger – Philip the Apostle 

Philip the Apostles: Called personally 

 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43

Philip the Apostles: Immediately told others

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law,and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:45

How can we become The Messengers?

Someone once told me that the key to Evangelism, isn't about 'doing' it, its about 'being' it. How do we become messengers of Jesus, Justice, Mercy and Love? 

Passion is the key to a message worth listening to
“People cannot inspire others until they are inspired themselves.” A genuine passion for Jesus, who he is and what he stands for is critical when sharing authentically with others.

"Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words”
Actions speak louder than words. A great way to be a messenger is to model the life of Jesus. Being generous with our Time, Talents and Treasures can speak volumes.

Become a story teller 
We all have a stories, the good and the bad. People respond much better to your person story that someone else's. Whether it is 6 people gathering in a garden - they are listening, mates doing a quiz over zoom - they are listening, or the family you live with - they are listening. 

Prayer

Philip told Nathanael about Jesus… and they told someone about Jesus… and they told someone about Jesus…

Ask God to help you do the same. Ask God to help you be The Messenger!

Worship

Messenger - CLICK HERE

Day 80

THIN SPACE

The Messenger

Prayer Hour this week is all about telling one person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus…
Prayer Hour this week is all about passing it on. Prayer Hour this week is all about being The Messenger.

Today’s messenger – Andrew

Andrew: A Loving Brother

John 1: 40-42

Andrew, (Simon Peter’s brother), was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

When we read the gospels and the book of Acts we find out what a massive impact Saint (Simon) Peter had on the world. The Rock on which Jesus' Church was built, seen by many as the first Pope and honoured by many as one of the first evangelists. We simply may not know about Jesus if it weren't for Peter. However, it required his loving brother Andrew to first share that news with him. Such exciting news that Andrew simply couldn't contain. 

Perhaps you'd like to pray this prayer with me today

Jesus, will you inspire me and give me courage to share the (good news) like Andrew did. With my family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and even random strangers to whom you might lead me to! Knowing Jesus changes EVERYTHING. God if it is your will, let me see someone who I've shared Jesus with, share it again, and again, and again! For your glory. 

Amen

Let our lives be unashamed of the (gospel/good news)

I'm Not Ashamed - CLICK HERE
Gospel Song - CLICK HERE

Day 79

THIN SPACE

The Messenger

Prayer Hour this week is all about telling one person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus… who tells another person about Jesus…
Prayer Hour this week is all about passing it on. Prayer Hour this week is all about being The Messenger.

Today’s messenger – John the Baptist

John the Baptist: Anointed Baby!

“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord… and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ (Luke 1: 14-17)

John the Baptist: Wild Man Preacher!

“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan”. (Mark 1: 4-5)

John the Baptist: Visionary Prophet!

“And this was his message: ‘After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1: 7-8)

John the Baptist: The Messenger!

“The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God! When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” (John 1: 35-37)

Prayer

John the Baptist told someone about Jesus… and they told someone about Jesus… and they told someone about Jesus…

Ask God to help you do the same. Ask God to help you be The Messenger!

How about some retro worship!

One shall tell another - CLICK HERE
Colours of day - CLICK HERE

Day 78

THIN SPACE

This week, Prayer Hour continues the theme of REVIVAL.

We’re going to be checking out revivals from as early as 1727 to revivals that are still going strong in 2020!

Today… it’s all about the Cali, Columbia revival

Where there is unity, God commands a blessing

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing of life forevermore. Psalm 133:1 

What was it like?


For years Colombia has been the world’s biggest exporter of cocaine. The Cali cartel, which controlled up to 70 percent of this trade, has been called the largest, richest and most well-organized criminal organization in history. Employing a combination of bribery and threats, it wielded a malignant power that corrupted individuals and institutions alike.

 By the early 1990s, Cali had become one of the most thoroughly corrupt cities in the world.

 Like everything else in Cali, the church was in disarray

What happened?

Unity started to come between a few pastors 

In faith they set up an all night prayer meeting in a local stadium expecting only a couple thousand people at the most.

Instead they got 25,000 praying all night till 6am the following morning. The Mayor who took the platform and declared "Cali belongs to Jesus Christ!”

That same year in June several intercessors had dreams in which angelic forces apprehended leaders of a drug cartel. Within 6 weeks of the dreams a team of elite commandos arrived to round up the drug lords and by August all 7 targeted drug lords had been captured.

What then?
 
200 pastors signed a covenant of unity which now serves as the backbone of the city’s regular high profile stadium prayer vigils held every 90 days, and attended by 10s of thousands each time.
 
Watch this video of the story -  CLICK HERE

Pray

Pray that like Cali we fall on our knees and pray for our town, city and nation.

Pray like Cali we unite with other churches in unity.

Pray for revival in our lifetime.

Watch the lastest Greater Manchester Prayer event and see what’s happening to get involved - www.facebook.com/greatermanchesterprayergathering/

Worship

Revival's in the air - CLICK HERE 
Did you feel the mountains tremble - CLICK HERE