Displaying items by tag: Praise

Thy Kingdom Come 2024 has ignited global excitement, engaging diverse communities worldwide in its ecumenical wave of prayer. The initiative's inclusive reach is demonstrated through activities from Australia to the Solomon Islands, embracing participants of various religious backgrounds. This year's Novena, translated into many languages including Portuguese, Hindi, and Korean, reflects the event’s international appeal. The ecumenical Prayer Journal, now available in Dutch and a special Scottish version with tartan, showcases voices from across Scotland. Globally, beacon events in countries like South Korea and Bangladesh are being planned, along with local activities across the UK, involving continuous prayer gatherings and prayer walks. A highlight for youth on Pentecost Sunday includes regional gatherings and contributions from notable figures like the archbishops of Canterbury and York. An accompanying app offers resources for children and young people, including videos and discussion plans, ensuring broad access to spiritual content.

Jesse shared her testimony of connecting with her neighbours through prayer amidst cultural challenges. Coming from a Sikh background, she has had to navigate her Christian faith amidst family tensions and generational differences. In 2020, during lockdown, one neighbour struggled as her daughter received end-of-life care abroad. Jesse offered support and prayer, which comforted her neighbour and led her to engage with a church community online. Another neighbour faced the potential loss of her husband. Through Jesse’s offer to pray, she found hope and belief in that difficult time. These acts of compassion opened opportunities for deeper conversations. Her conversion story began at the age of 11. She had a picture of Jesus. She was sitting on His knee and he wrote her name in his book. She said, 'Later, in my early 20s, I had another picture where I was stuck in a very deep well and he reached down and offered me his hand, but I had to choose whether I would. I'm glad I accepted his help - that was a turning point in my life.’

On 8 February 2023, what began as an ordinary chapel service at Asbury University evolved into a 16-day 'outpouring' led by students, attracting individuals from numerous universities worldwide. Dr Sarah Thomas Baldwin, a professor whose book on this outpouring will soon be published, has described the lasting influence of the revival. Despite the initial exhaustion following the event, the campus experienced a revival in spiritual engagement. Students returned with renewed energy for worship and prayer, significantly raising the spiritual temperature. She recounted the early days when students gathered spontaneously post-chapel, leading to joy, repentance, and deep spiritual connection. The outpouring not only captured media attention but also solidified a strong community among campus leaders. Today, the spiritual lessons from the event continue to inspire and draw individuals seeking depth and hope in challenging times, reinforcing their commitment to deepening their faith in Jesus.

Duane Chapman, better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, has extensively experienced the dark side of humanity through his career. He firmly believes in spiritual warfare and the redemptive power of Christ, which he discusses in his latest book co-written with his wife Francie, 'Nine Lives and Counting’. The book explores Chapman’s transformation from a troubled past involving crime and incarceration in the 1970s to a life driven by faith and outreach. His career has evolved from capturing fugitives to guiding them towards spiritual redemption, often sharing impactful conversations about faith. His Christian faith journey, intensified by personal losses, including the deaths of his daughter and his wife Beth, has led him to a renewed mission of spreading hope and engaging in ministry work. Now remarried and leading the Light Up the Darkness ministry, Chapman points to the transformative power of Jesus and the possibility of overcoming great struggles through divine help.

A recent online World Prayer Centre team prayer watch meeting turned into a significant altar moment about preparing for Pentecost and returning to the Cross. One of the team reminded us to focus again on the cross after Easter. Another teammate, Diana, said that at another online prayer meeting God prompted her to share ‘re-‘ words. She told us that God had shown her that ‘re’- means Ruach Elohim, or Holy Spirit. We realised that all re- words are life-giving. Then the words started to flow: Refresh, Renew, Rebuild, Restore, Reset, Realign, Relationship, Revival … to name a few! All this happened on the first day after the Jewish New Year, a time of new beginnings. So we urge you to return with us to the place of prayer. Remember the cross and all that Jesus did for us. We invite you to speak out the Easter to Pentecost declaration each day. We pray that God will reignite you with Ruach Elohim this Pentecost and that many will be revived to see a spiritual awakening.

Actor Gary Sinise reflected recently on the power of prayer and his faith journey following the death of his son, McCaleb, from cancer. Sinise, known for his roles in  'Forrest Gump' and 'CSI: NY’,' shares how his family's faith sustained them during their son's illness and eventual passing. Despite their grief, they found solace in prayer and their belief in God. Sinise has called his son a man of great faith, who had a profound impact on those around him, and has emphasised the importance of community and support during times of hardship. His faith has deepened through the experience, and he continues to find strength in prayer and his relationship with God. His story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of faith in overcoming life's challenges.

Despite a decline in UK church attendance, the Church of England's recent report reveals signs of growth, particularly in Blackburn, where innovative initiatives are drawing in more children and young people. At St Leonard’s church and school in Balderstone, around sixty people of all ages participated in a creative worship service, collecting natural items to represent the Easter story. This inclusive approach mirrors efforts across the diocese to engage with new worshippers, resulting in a 17% increase in children attending weekly services compared to 2021. The local synod has identified successful strategies for church outreach, including schools ministry and online worship. Over the past five years, more than a hundred new local congregations have emerged, ranging from forest churches to café gatherings, indicating a promising trend of community expansion within the CofE.

Unite US, led by Tonya Prewett, is spearheading a wave of student baptisms at public universities, beginning with Auburn University and expanding to three other universities, each witnessing hundreds of baptisms. The movement, fuelled by Prewett's vision to address student struggles, saw about 5,000 students at its first event with 200 baptisms. Emphasising follow-up, Unite US collects contact details of baptised students for spiritual support through local churches and ministries. Many participants report transformative experiences, including overcoming depression and addiction. Keynote speakers like Jonathan Pokluda note a rising revival among college students, seeking a deeper, daily faith beyond routine church visits. This revival trend, mirroring the spontaneous Asbury Revival, signifies a profound shift towards personal faith and active community engagement among university students.

‘Arrested at 8 and abandoned as a child, I turned to crime, leading to an eleven-year sentence at 19. In prison, my cellmate, a devout Christian, introduced me to the Gospel. Eventually, I accepted Jesus, and my faith grew, especially in solitary confinement. Post-release, I faced many hurdles common to the 1.9 million incarcerated in the USA, with over 450,000 re-entering society annually. They have to grapple with problems like finding employment and housing. After my release at 26, I worked minimum-wage jobs, pursued education, and obtained a master's in professional counselling. Now with Prison Fellowship, I long for the redemption of the incarcerated. Despite the stigma and legal barriers hindering re-entry, support and resources are crucial for successful reintegration. Churches and organisations can play a vital role, as they did in my life, offering practical and spiritual support. My journey reflects the transformative potential of faith and community in offering a second chance to those who have been in prison.’

Following a theft at St Matthew's Church, Burnley, Fr Alex Frost has appealed to those in financial distress to seek help rather than resorting to crime. On 15 March, during a choir rehearsal, a thief entered the unlocked church and stole around £1,000-worth of items, including a watch and charity donations. The incident prompted the church to issue a statement urging visitors to protect their belongings and warning that criminal acts will lead to prosecution. Fr Frost emphasised the church's willingness to assist those in need and discouraged speculation about the thief's identity. Saddened by the event, especially as the suspect might have been a previous aid recipient of the church, Fr Frost spoke of the desperation behind such actions and encouraged anyone struggling to reach out for support, promising guidance and assistance. In a compassionate note to the thief, he also expressed hope for their rehabilitation.