Being A Watchman

One of the very clear aspects of World Prayer Centre’s ministry is that of being a watchman.

At our “Standing in the Gap” conference in 2014, Malcolm Duncan spoke powerfully about God’s desire for a Watchman Generation and how we need a fresh understanding of God’s watchman strategy. Some of the guidelines that Malcolm laid out are:

> Watchmen serve out of love for their community and church. The role of watchmen has been undermined by those who have served from an agenda and a sense of superiority – this is not the servant attitude God looks for

> The watchmen listen to God’s heart – they are attuned to His love, grace, and forgiveness

> Watchmen are humble, alert, available – they watch what is going on.

Watchmen warn – they must have credibility and good relationships with others if those warnings are to be heard and responded to

> They warn those who sin – Ezekiel 3:17 – calling the wicked to turn –they must be clear, they are accountable to God for a message that is difficult to deliver – but comes from love.

> In Isaiah 21 the watchman announces what he sees – he does not add to it, or interpret it

In these fast changing times God has a heart for our towns, cities and communities – often we are naïve about the dangers, therefore we cannot give the warnings. The key area of growth within the church is young people – it is also the key battleground – with horrendous tales of bullying, kidnapping, assaults, sexual predators, poor parenting, domestic violence. We need watchmen – who see, understand, and stir us to pray in this and other areas. We believe God is calling forth compassionate, alert and aware watchmen.

Warning……. Watchmen at Work

Birmingham UK skyline

Ezekiel 33 gives a clear warning to the watchmen – if the trumpet is not blown to warn people the watchman will be held accountable for any deaths.

The watchman’s task is to watch – and then encourage and challenge people to act. Some watchmen have a call to protect their local community – others a wider calling. Rees Howells, the famous intercessor and his college students prayed daily throughout World War Two but his call went much further in the war’s critical stages.

In May 1940 the British Army faced annihilation on the beaches of Dunkirk. The King issued a national call to prayer and as many know the German tanks halted, the Channel became a millpond and 480,000 were rescued in small boats and returned to England. The warning was heard and the nation saved.

In the 1970’s I had a mentor from the Potteries called Bill – he loved the people of Northern Ireland and acted as a watchmen in the troubles. He gained credibility with the Police who gave him a special call sign – and when he called with a God given warning they evacuated places before the bombs went off or the shootings could happen.
Watchmen have a burden to pray protection on the place they are stewarding (it could be their local community, or their nation). As they pray, God will lay scriptures on their hearts. They also read widely – credible newspapers, the internet, commentators and books. They may go on prayer walks. They broaden their understanding (e.g. many are currently reading widely about Muslims and their beliefs; others will be monitoring the political situation in the UK, others watching the changing economic climate globally).

Blowing the trumpet is a risky business – what happens if it is wrong – if we have misread the situation? What happens if no one listens? Ezekiel 33 makes it clear – how people respond is up to them, our job is to blow the trumpet.

This is a time of many warnings – of danger from terrorists, of severe economic collapse, of God’s judgement on nations and situations. We can become very concerned, but all watchmen are subject to God – He is the ultimate watchman. Psalm 121 tell us “He who watches over will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”. God has called forth watchmen at this time – but ultimately it is up to all of us to weigh up the warnings and ask – is this God’s voice to us at this time. He warns us for a serious purpose – to lead to repentance, prayer, practical action. Our conference in March focuses on being in the presence – in these dangerous times we need to be listening, and responding – and for some of us the call will be to blow the trumpet of warning.

Steve Botham….. Trustee

Click Wembley 29-09-2012 Statement & Prayer to download the statement and prayer given out at the National Day of Prayer held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 29 September 2012. (copy available from 29/09/12)

The response to the National Call to Prayer letter, signed by the national church leaders was amazing. Churches all over Scotland from every denomination and church grouping responded, with many opening their doors for hours on the day before the vote.

Please continue to pray for Scotland and encourage your church and those in your community to continue praying that God will pour out His peace over the whole of the UK and that political leaders will now do what is right for all the nations in the UK.

Click the websites below for more updates:

Pray for Scotland website – click HERE

The Stand website – click HERE

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[document url="http://prayerhub.org/images/Why-Stand-with-Israel1.pdf" height="900"]

Prayer Resources: The Redefinition of Marriage

Click here for our statement and response to the current Government proposals to THE REDEFINITION OF MARRIAGE.

Click here for a pdf version of a recent prophetic word given regarding the state of the nation relating to THE REDEFINITION OF MARRIAGE.

Prayer Resources: The Children & Families Bill

Click here for a pdf version of some prayer points relating to the Children and Families Bill

Rhythm of Prayer

The Prayer Room in Cornerstone House is in regular use and as a team, we gather to pray on most weekdays.

We invite you to come and draw aside and spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of busy lives in prayer, worship and reflection. Please see the dates below for the next few months – we hold these days once a month and would encourage you to join us. We also pray for a nation each day – details can be found here – please stand with us on behalf of a nation each day and see God in action as we pray.

We look forward to seeing you!

2015

FEBRUARY

Daily prayer                                 For a Specific Nation

MARCH

Daily prayer                                 For a Specific Nation

Monday 9 March   Come and join us as we pray in the heart of the city. These days will have the theme of our up coming ‘Trumpet Call’ (4 July). We see these times as coming before God and listening to what He is wanting us to do and say on that day and to hear the trumpet sound that He wants us to make on that day. Come and stand with us!

APRIL

Daily prayer                                 For a Specific Nation

Monday 27 April Come and join us as we pray in the heart of the city. These days will have the theme of our up coming ‘Trumpet Call’ (4 July). We see these times as coming before God and listening to what He is wanting us to do and say on that day and to hear the trumpet sound that He wants us to make on that day. Come and stand with us!

HOPE 2014 SEASON OF PRAYER

Starting on 18 October 2013 to 31 January 2014.

To launch HOPE 2014 Year of Mission, World Prayer Centre and all the partners of HOPE 2014 invite you to pray with Christians around the country using the Prayer for Today Hope Daily Prayers.

HOPE 2014 Prayer Countdown starts on 18 October 2013 and runs through to 31 January 2014. Thanks to UCB, who have published this Prayer for Today resource, more than a million copies of this specially written prayer diary are being distributed in print and on line by HOPE’s partners. The prayers and themes are also available as Word document for you to add to your local prayer calendars and church newsletters.

You can order printed copies from UCB – they are free if you can distribute 1000 copies to churches in your area, or Christians in your network.

If you would like a word version of the Season of Prayer booklet, please call us on 0121 633 7393 and we’ll email it to you.

To request daily emails from the start of October: click here

To download the pdf of HOPE’s Season of Prayer: click here

Hope 2014 Prayers for a New Year

We are praying that 2014 would be a catalytic year where churches work together around the Christian calendar, festivals and new mission initiatives to bring good news to a lost and broken world. The fruit of this could be thousands of changed lives and a great harvest for the Kingdom of God.

Click HERE to download Prayers for a New Year.

One aspect of World Prayer Centre’s ministry and part of the rhythm of prayer is to pray for the nations. We are currently praying for each of the nations of the world, bringing one before God each day. We are working our way through the nations alphabetically as well as praying for nations where the church is being persecuted.

Why not click on the current month below and join us as we bring all the nations to God. Simply see which nation we are praying for on the day and stand with us in prayer on behalf of a nation, where you are. Let’s see prayer make a difference around the globe!

You can also download a copy of the schedule for each of the months.

January

February

March