Displaying items by tag: Unity

Unprecedented evangelical unity across the UK will run from April to October with 100,000+ Christians taking part in '17:21'. The initiative is named after Jesus prayer in John 17:21: 'May they all be one that the world might believe'. Christian groups, conferences and festivals will read the same Bible reading, prayer of commitment, and declaration of a shared life in Christ, and play the same worship song. Malcolm Duncan, representing Spring Harvest, added, 'The 17:21 initiative calls all of us who stand under the shadow of the Cross to link arms in the great responsibility that God has given us – presenting a living Saviour to a dying world. I have been humbled and thrilled to be part of this call to the festivals, conventions and Bible weeks in the United Kingdom to declare that we are united by far more than what divides us. May God take us beyond structural and mechanistic unity and give us the boldness and courage to stand together for Christ.' The initiative comes in the year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Report on Day of Prayer January 6, 2017

   Although we were few in number, there was representation from a wide spectrum of the body of Messiah in the land; both from the Arabic speaking sector (Israeli Palestinian and West Bank Palestinian), and from the Hebrew speaking sector including Ethiopian and Russian background brothers and sisters. We experienced a strong sense of the unity of the body. This was foundational for us as we joined our hearts in corporate prayer.

   The day was very productive and we spent the majority of the time in prayer both for the Body of Messiah and the nation. We began with focused prayer based on the prayer points we had identified in our previous meeting. We sought the Lord for additional prayer points that we should be in prayer about.  After identifying further areas for prayer, we prayed into them.  (these additional points are attached)

     At the conclusion of the day, we corporately decided to continue with this initiative. Our desire is to widen the circle of those who come together in this initiative of transformative prayer. The participants were encouraged to recommend this initiative to others. We, the organizers will issue invitations to new participants.

 Evan Thomas and Lisa Loden

Prayer Points:

Prayer for ourselves and the Body of Christ

1. Need to return to our first love – Revelation 2:1-7
2. Imbalance between knowledge and obedience
3. For bridging the “generation gap” between pastors/leaders and the younger generation. (for greater sensitivity to the young people and their needs)
4. For greater sensitivity to the poverty that exists in the Body of the Messisah
5. For the congregations to be more relevant in the society
6. For recognition of the brokenness within the leadership community leading to healing and a willingness to pray with one another.
7. To identify the root causes if the young people’s disenchantment with the congregations.

Prayer for the nation

1. Pray into the issues of societal disorder, unhealthy hierarchies that leave the population oppressed or in despair
2. Pray into the issue of selfishness, sense of entitlement (particularly among young people) leading to rebellion against God.
3. Need for healthy alternative to media exposure of harmful values and ideologies
4. For God’s hand on those who inpositions of responsibility in government
5. To express radical love for government leaders
6. For the next generation
7. Romans 13:1

Lisa Loden, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Thy Kingdom Come” is the invitation of the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to Christians around the world to pray during a focused time between Ascension and Pentecost from 25th May – 4th June 2017 that people might know Jesus Christ

The hope is that:

∙             People will commit to pray with God’s world-wide family - as a church, individually or as a family

∙             Churches will hold prayer events, such as 24-7 prayer, prayer stations and prayer walks, across the UK and in other parts of the world

∙             People will be transformed through prayer by the Holy Spirit, finding new confidence to be witnesses for Jesus Christ

How did it begin?

In May 2016 the Archbishops of Canterbury and York invited Christians from across the Church of England to join a wave of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost. The response was astonishing as hundreds of thousands joined in from churches of many denominations and different traditions around the UK and across the world.

For 2017 the vision is even greater as more church denominations across the UK are getting involved and the invitation has gone to churches of the world-wide Anglican Communion. Participating nations that are taking part to date are: USA, Canada, Cuba, Bermuda, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Egpt, Sri Lanka, Australia, Mauritius, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Portugal.

You can join as an individual, church, network or group - the Archbishop’s invitation is simply asking people to pray in whatever way they want, with whoever they want and wherever they can, that others might know Jesus Christ.

Anyone can sign up on the website now and pledge to pray and get more information:   www.thykingdomcome.global

If you are happy to represent your denomination /network in your nation please email Nicola Martin to get more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we all commit to playing our part in the renewal of the nations and the transformation of communities." Archbishop Justin Welby

Jane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham part of Steering Group of Thy Kingdom Come

‘I have given them the glory that You gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and You in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me and have them even as You have loved me.’ (John 17:22-23) HOPE unites the church across denominations, race, culture and customs. An unprecedented number of churches are committed to mission in 2018. The dream is to grow the church by 10 per cent. Thank God for churches working together. Pray that Christians will show God’s reconciling love and peace. Consider meeting to pray with other churches in your area.

(written by Rev’d Yemi Adedeji, Redeemed Christian Church of God)

2017 is set to be fraught with challenges for the people of the Middle East, Christian and Muslim alike. A brief summary: 1) Iraq will remain precarious, even though the battle to retake Mosul is making progress: Shiite-dominated rulers in Baghdad face conflict with an unwilling Sunni minority. 2) Turkey’s stability is threatened by challenges from IS and from Kurdish militants, who have killed some 1,000 Turkish soldiers in the last two years. 3) There are hopeful signs in Iran, though changes could be slowed by the death of former President Rafsanjani and the expectation of more hostile US policies under Donald Trump. The poor health of supreme leader Ali Khamenei might mean a potential leadership change soon, which could have serious implications for the entire region. 4) The mood in Syria seems to be turning towards a ceasefire and acceptance of Assad staying on as president, at least in the short term. 5) Egypt is expected to see new protests and tensions with continued terrorism, and the economy will remain the number one challenge. The whole region remains in much need of continuing prayer: yet every challenging phase is also a chance for Christians to rise up as salt and light, and to offer reconciliation and restoration where they are desperately needed.

Our conference is fast approaching and we anticipate a very special time as we meet in this year of promise. The ‘As One’ title reflects Jesus’ desire that His Church be one, but we have seen the church split and disagreeing over minor issues, we have seen people jockeying to control the Church rather than serve it. Things must change if the world is to see God’s Kingdom come.

As One links with the command a centurion would give his legionaries as they faced a hail of stones and as spears flew towards them. Raise the shields As One, move forward and possess the land As One.

We are pleased to announce that Malcolm Duncan will be joining us again for As One and he will be giving prophetic teaching and direction. We will also have practical workshops on extraordinary prayer for place, harvest, the prodigals and the nations.

The As One focus will be seen in our prayer and worship - God’s people standing together in deep praise, with servant hearts to see things change and be released in our nation. We expect all delegates to return home with a renewed sense of expectation and authority.

Tickets are going fast - people share our expectation that this will be a special time. To book visit worldprayer.org.uk or call 0121 633 73093.

This year will be special - think about other people you could bring along - your pastor, a younger leader, or other friends so they can share the As One experience.

This is week 1 of the Friday Focus 2017 initiative that provides the opportunity for us to pray where we are, and unite across our nations, supporting all ongoing mission and preparing the way for future mission. HOPE’s aim (along with the World Prayer Centre) is to see the entire church mobilised during 2018 to make Jesus known. John 3:16: 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' Because of Jesus we can have the free gift of eternal life with him. Give thanks for Jesus’ death and resurrection. Pray that churches will work together using both words and actions to make Jesus known. Consider how churches in your area can work together to plan a rhythm of mission through 2018, especially at Easter, Harvest and Christmas. (Written by Roy Crowne, HOPE’s Executive Director)