WEEKEND of PRAYER
Spring up O Well

Leading up to the Cumbria Prayer Conference on October 8th, we’re taking a team to Ulverston, Cumbria for a Weekend of Prayer from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September 2016.  We’ll be supporting a local prayer group and local churches in this prayer mission.

“The spiritual legacy of George Fox has been neglected in the Ulverston area, but it can be reclaimed as we seek the LORD together.
As well as praying for the whole area we will be seeking to 'unstop the wells' – to reclaim the spiritual inheritance of that work of God centred at Swarthmoor Hall 300 years ago.

We shall also be praying in support of local churches in the development of the “God for All” initiative, which has the aim of giving everyone in Cumbria the opportunity to discover more of God and his purpose in their lives by 2020.”

The Timetable:
Friday 2nd - Evening of Prayer waiting on the LORD in the Quaker Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Ulverston 7.30 – 10.30pm on Friday 2nd September
Saturday 3rd - A prayer journey to some of the sites connected with George Fox in the area.
Evening of prayer and worship
Sunday 4th - Morning meeting with a local church or home church

Join us to Prayer Walk the first leg of the Cistercian Way from Grange over Sands to Cartmel Priory on the Friday morning.
(This is a 3 to 4 mile walk over Grange Fell taking in views of Morecambe Bay and the Leven Estuary across to Ulverston)

Accommodation & Cost: Can be arranged with local hosts.
Meals: Some sustenance may be needed when we are out and about, but we’ll plan to share meals as a team or with our hosts.

If you are interested in being involved in part or all of the weekend and would like to know more please get in touch for more details.  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Web Links:
Cumbria Prayer Conference 
God for All, Cumbria
UK Wells 

CWR are launching the second National Prayer Weekend, and you are invited to join in!

23-25 September 2016 thousands of churches, communities and individuals will be lifting up their locality to God in prayer. The heart of National Prayer Weekend aligns with the aims of World Prayer Centre to pray for families, communities, the marginalised and the world and to impact our nation to see God’s Kingdom come.

The idea is simple. The National Prayer Weekend is an opportunity to gather prayer requests from people in your local area and introduce them to a God who loves them through the power of prayer.

Last year, more than 1,300 individuals, groups and churches joined to cover the nation in prayer. We know that God can do immeasurably more than we can even imagine. So it is with great expectation that we invite you to join in 23–25 September 2016 as we pray for our local schools, hospitals, businesses, neighbours and whole communities.

Feedback from the National Prayer Weekend 2015:

'We felt for us the weekend was the beginning of us praying for our community in a way we haven’t done until now.’

‘We are now embarking on a time of praying for a different street each day. This has come about as a result of the NPW’

‘The weekend shifted the attitude of prayer in our church’

JOIN IN:
Visit www.national-prayer-weekend.com to join in, access free resources to help plan your prayer weekend and to get your pin on the prayer map to make your mark on the nation.

SPREAD THE WORD:
Follow the National Prayer Weekend on Facebook and Twitter to add your voice to a worldwide praying community sharing stories, pictures and prayer ideas.

We believe that local people praying for their community and neighbours can change the whole nation. One life, one street, one community at a time.

As we remember London 2012, we give thanks for our Father’s mercy and grace to us as we prayed for peace on our streets, for protection from violence; for churches and agencies to work together; for many people to discover the good news about Jesus; for God to unmask any drug taking by competitors and for an end to human trafficking and prostitution. We saw many answers to prayer then – and since – especially in the recent exposure of possible drug taking by the Russian delegation.

Now the invitation comes to us to stand with and pray for Rio and Brazil. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a huge undertaking for any city and country. Here in Rio, there are huge issues with human trafficking, prostitution and drug trafficking as well as the heightened risk of terrorist activity. As with More than Gold in 2012 many of the leading Christian mission and outreach agencies are all working together for sports ministry, prayer, drama, music, dance, arts, bible distribution and social justice areas under the banner of Jesus4allmovement. They have had a 100 day prayer initiative which started in May to soak the nation and Rio in prayer.

As we think of the Jesus Christ the Redeemer statute standing 38m tall looking over this city; let’s pray for:

• The praise of Jesus to be lifted high over this city and area.
• The protection of God to cover all that takes place - and for great wisdom for the security forces.
• The Holy Spirit’s power to direct and guide all the Christian outreach and mission and that many people will discover Jesus as Lord.
• The peace of God to cover hearts, homes, streets and all Olympic and Paralympic venues.
• The unmasking of any drug taking within the Olympic community.
• The purposes of God to be fulfilled in and through it all – and may Jesus’ name be honoured.

For more info and how to pray, visit the Jesus 4 all movement website and the YWAM Rio 2016 website

Why bother?

• Simple logic. If God doesn't exist, there's no point in praying. But if he does, or if there's a possibility, then why not try?
• Many people believe God exists, that he is good, and that he cares deeply about us.
• Those involved in a crisis have shared how prayer helped in terrible circumstances (*see below for stories).
• Others have said that praying removed their fears; even fear of death.

How to pray in a crisis

An album of songs was written a few thousand years ago. It includes songs and prayers written in response to emergencies, such as personal tragedy, national tragedy, illness and death. The album is in the Bible and is called the book of Psalms.

Some of the songs use a particular pattern that shows us how to pray in a crisis:

1. First of all, imagine God (or try to). In the Psalms, the writers' compared God to something they could see – and it wasn't an old man with a beard. He was seen as many things; including a lion, a mountain, and a loving mother.  How do you picture strength, safety or security? Maybe a firefighter's arms, a loving embrace, a cosy home on a windy day, or a lifebelt in deep waters.
2. Feel it. Don't hide the emotion you are feeling: sadness, shock, grief or anger. Talk to God and tell him about it - it's okay to be angry and to question.
3. Believe in love. Even though this incident might leave you asking - where are you God? - as you pray, choose to believe that God is good, and that he wants to help those involved.
4. Name names. If someone has caused the distress, express your anger at their actions, and ask God to bring justice, asking that you'd be able to leave that burden in his hands.
5. Ask for God's help. Be specific; name the places or people who need help – praying for those involved to know that God is with them.
6. Keep the faith. Even though it might be difficult – finish the prayer by stating that you trust that God will intervene and bring light into these dark times.

Or you could try praying this:

God, I pray for ...
that they/he/she
would know your loving arms
around them at this time,
and that you would bring them
your peace and comfort.
It's hard for me to understand
what you can do in this situation,
but I'm trusting that you are powerful,
and that you are always with those
who call out to you in distress.

Amen.

If you want to know more about prayer: www.trypraying.co.uk

*Stories

Many amazing stories were recorded after 9/11. Read how prayer helped Stanley Praimnath: http://blog.godreports.com/2011/09/911-remembrance-only-known-survivor-from-trade-center-impact-zone-pays-tribute-to-god%E2%80%99s-grace/

Another survivor prayed; and sensed that whether he lived or not - everything would be alright: http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2012/09/9-11_world_trade_center_surviv.html

Sujo John called out to Jesus with what he thought was his last breath: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2009/september/911-survivor-shares-survival-story/

More stories (videos): http://www.trypraying.co.uk/stories/

Source:  Trypraying

We continue to ask you to join us in THANKING God for His amazing protection of the UK and for every attack or disaster which has been averted.

Several people have had dreams about possible attacks across the UK's vulnerable places. These things can be prompted by the media playing on our minds, but it may be God... so we ask you to continue praying for PROTECTION particularly over the peak train journeys, Churches, motorways, airports and aircrafts, cruise liners and ferries, tunnels and sporting stadiums.

Please remember mainland Europe in your prayers as there have been so many horrendous attacks.

Declaration for the protection of our nation

We declare God's plans are for good and not for evil, so in the Name of Jesus, we enforce God's original plans for peace, mercy and hope over and against every plan and purpose of Satan to bring death or destruction and we declare this nation will be a place of safety.

We declare You are the one in whom we put our trust. Psalm 20: 7 "some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." We speak Your protection over our land. In the Name of Jesus, we speak safety into airports, shopping centres, railway stations and every place where people gather. We speak Your divine wisdom and revelation to every member of our security forces and police force.

In this season of pressure, we bless their homes and families in the Name of Jesus with joy, health and peace.

Source:  Coastlands & Gateways

Watching and Prayer over the UK following the EU Referendum

We now find ourselves in a period of tremendous political, economic and social change in our UK nations. This is a new time; a time of mercy and a time of shaking. We believe this is a historically significant watershed moment for our UK nations and for Europe. The EU Referendum campaign and result has exposed deep fractures in our society in all of our UK nations.

Now is the time when God is calling His people to humbly come before Him, seek His face, turn from our wicked ways and to pray. Now is the time to persevere and not to give up. Now is the time for us together, as God's people across our UK nations, to pray in unity for God to fulfil His purposes for our nations.

We commend 1 Timothy 2:1-3 as a basis for our praying as we stand guard over our elected leaders that they may give Godly leadership and so provide stability across our nations and in our communities to allow the gospel to be shared and for many people to discover faith in Jesus Christ.

HOW TO PRAY

For our elected governmental leaders:

In Scotland: Pray for Nicola Sturgeon and for wisdom and patience for the Scottish (SNP) Government, as they seek to deal with the results of the vote; especially that they will work positively with the UK Government and seek not only what is best for the people of Scotland, but also what is best for all peoples in the UK in these uncharted, challenging times.

In Northern Ireland: Pray for Arlene Foster and NI politicians for wisdom, for courage, for grace and positive leadership at this time. There is a genuine fear of the peace process being affected; a fear of the progress that has been made in moving forward toward a 'Shared Future' being undermined, a fear of the unknown. There is concern over how this will affect our relationship with the Republic of Ireland. Will there once again be border and custom checks? Pray for God's people to be in position and for His peace to replace fear.

In Wales: Pray for Carwyn Jones; for unity within the Welsh Assembly and for wisdom especially in handling the financial implications of leaving the EU that could affect the elderly and the poor.

In Westminster:
Prime Minister - Theresa May - for calm leadership, for wise advisors and for her faith to guide her day by day.
Chancellor - Philip Hammond Chancellor - that he will have wisdom, authority and boldness to expose evil financial practices, tax abuse and manipulation and corruption.
Home Secretary - Amber Rudd - for divine authority to keep our nation safe and administer true justice.
Labour shadow cabinet - that as they are shaken we will have an effective, wise and righteous opposition.

For the Church:

Pray that the Church will 'rise up' (Isaiah 60:1) and take a positive lead in promoting reconciliation, both within communities where needed and between the nations of the UK that in these uncertain times, especially at this moment of economic uncertainty, many will open up to the hope and certainty of the Gospel.

For Europe:

As we stand shoulder to shoulder with France in the aftermath of the attack in Nice, we continue to pray protection for France, for God's blessing and for her church to be strengthened and equipped to be carriers of hope and peace.

We ask for God's continued mercy and protection on our nations and wisdom for our security forces

We have compiled a list of resources available to help you post-referendum.

We have heard about this new website, the Canopy of Prayer - http://canopyofprayer.eu  to raise a canopy of prayer over Europe at this crucial time.

The request is that those who sign up would commit themselves to praying for Europe for a designated 15 minutes per week. They will receive an email fortnightly with information for prayer. The introduction is in German but the form is in English.  The email will also have English. They were in the process of writing an introduction in English.  If you use Google Chrome, it should give you the option to translate the website.

Download an example of the bulletin you will receive when you sign up.

How do we pray for the United Kingdom post-referendum?  

With all the changes that are happening in the United Kingdom following the Brexit decision and with uncertainty about how things will move forward.  This is also a great time of spiritual opportunity for the Church to stand and begin to pray for the future of the UK and Europe.

There are some great resources available to help you, whether you pray regularly for the nations or not.  

Canopy of Prayer over Europe - European Prayer Network

EU Referendum - keep praying - Pray for Scotland

How to pray after Brexit - 24-7 prayer

Blessing for the UK - A Call to Prayer

Passion for the Nation - website and newsletter

Post-referendum prayer - World Prayer Centre 

The Brexit Setup - Video by Jame's Aladiran, Prayer Storm

The director of Norfolk group Call to Prayer, Jill Gower, has prepared a blessing prayer to speak over the nation as a response to the negativity following the EU referendum. It is available here to download.

Blessings for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Great Britain and Northern Ireland we bless you with peace, calm and order
We bless you to know the Lord is sovereign and has all things in His hands
We bless you with patience and trust in Him
We bless you to wait upon the Lord, for His ways are greater and higher than all of our ways
We bless you with shalom – wholeness, well-being and completeness.

We bless the people of this nation to wake up and know that Jesus is Lord
We bless this land with a move of God, a turning back to Him and His purposes
We bless the land that the Light of the Gospel will break through, and no longer will we be in darkness
We bless the atmosphere over the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to be changed; for love, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit to reign.

In Jesus' name we bless the people of this great nation to unify, and for a spirit of unity to be poured out
We bless the people of this land to stand together and know that the Lord, He is God
We bless the nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to come together and to rejoice in that unity, for repentance and forgiveness to flow between us.

We bless our Government at this time, for good strong leadership to emerge
We bless the corridors of power with righteousness that exalts a nation
We bless the decisions made at Westminster to reflect the purposes of God
We bless the Christians in Parliament to rise up in the will of the Lord, and do what is right in His sight
We bless the law of the land to come back to its Judeo/Christian foundation.

We bless this nation to fulfil its destiny in God, with restoration of all that has been robbed
We bless the call of God, and His irrevocable gifts to emerge at this time
We bless the United Kingdom to rise up once again in the apostolic calling to take forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the nations
We bless the United Kingdom to build the Kingdom of God and not an empire.

In the Name of Jesus we call back this nation into the purposes of God, and we bless each and every citizen of the United Kingdom to live in peace and hope. We bless the people to love one another and to turn from their wicked ways and worship of idols, and look to the One who can restore all things according to His glorious will. We bless the people of this land with a spirit of humility, and dependence on God.

We bless the people of this nation to be safe and secure and to step into their personal destiny in God
We bless this nation to stand on the shoulders of those who went before us, who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and those who because of their great faith brought so many changes to this world.

Most of all we bless the Lord our God for the great heritage we have in this land, and the great high calling He placed on it, and we bless Him for His mercy and His grace and His unconditional love.

In Jesus' Name
AMEN

Source:  www.call2prayer.co.uk

We asked for people to pray with us in June as we face a drop in our finances and a significant rise in our activity. We believe we are at a spiritual tipping point and that WPC is being called to extend its overseas work and impact (we have been asked to lead some times of significant national and international breakthrough). In the UK we are bringing the prayer movements together, working as watchers to understand the changing spiritual picture in the nation and provide increased numbers of prayer resources for individuals, small groups and churches. Increasingly we are providing up-to-ate, accessible and daily prayer information. We also run a range of prayer events including the new Trumpet Call event at the ICC.

We felt that it was important to let people stand with us and pray. As a prayer ministry we have to be prepared to take our challenges to God. We were delighted by the warm response and support and have received about £8000 to date. Our target is to get £8000 a month additional income to carry the day-by-day work and £30,000 to enable trumpet call. So we are praying for a financial breakthrough – or we will run out of money in the coming months. We want to have a great giving testimony and give glory to God.

Can you give £5 or £10 a month to help us continue to mobilise prayer for our nations and equip people to pray?  Become a monthly giver.

Would you like to help make our nect Trumpet Call event possible?  Make a donation.

Could you fundraise for us?  Find out more.

We thank you in advance for your support!