Displaying items by tag: church

An Ash Wednesday ‘drive-through’ at a church in Ireland proved very popular with busy commuters. Queues of drivers waited to receive ceremonial ashes on their foreheads at St Patrick’s Church in Glenmaddy, County Galway, during the busy morning rush hour. Father Paddy Mooney said the idea of the drive-through blessing was to help people unable to attend Mass. It targeted the sick, those with difficulty walking, people going to work, or families on their way to school. A driveway for Catholics marking the start of the Lent season led right past the front door of the church. Father Mooney and others stood outside and leaned through car windows to placed an ash cross on each occupant’s forehead. Parish secretary Breda Keaveney said: ‘It was so reverent and so respectful. There was just a wonderful atmosphere.’

18- to 35-year-olds have been dubbed the missing generation. They have left the church building and aren't fitting into traditional structures. But the Talking Jesus research (www.talkingjesus.org) says they are very open to having conversations about Jesus.

(written by Kiera Phyo, Tearfund)

Andrew Rogers, a lecturer in practical theology at the University of Roehampton, speaking on Pentecostalism, said that the number of black majority churches in Southwark is so high that, at 240, they are nearly twice as numerous as all the other churches in the borough put together. Black churches are growing as fast as ever while white churches continue to decline. There is a greater concentration of African Christianity in south London than anywhere in the world outside Africa. Most black churches are 'Pentecostal', featuring long services with exuberant and often loud worship. Many of the pastors are first-generation migrants to Britain. Although it is acknowledged that black-majority churches have enjoyed rapid growth, it is difficult to determine precisely why. While Southwark may currently be the most intense case, there is significant growth of black churches in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. Sadly few BMCs are managing to reach out beyond the black community.

‘Thy Kingdom Come’ is a global prayer movement, which invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. What started out as an invitation from the Archbishops’ of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer. The hope is that: 1) people will commit to pray with God’s worldwide family - as a church, individually or as a family; 2) 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; 3) people will be empowered through prayer by the Holy Spirit, finding new confidence to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. See Justin Welby’s video invitation on

A new report by the House of Bishops has said that the Church of England should adopt a ‘fresh tone and culture of welcome and support’ for gay people, but that there was little support for changing the Church's teaching that marriage was between one man and one woman. The report said the Church needed to repent of homophobic attitudes. It also said all potential clergy - straight and gay - will be asked about their sexual conduct and lifestyle., The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Jones, felt that present arrangements for asking ordinands and clergy about their relationships and lifestyle are not really working very well. He said, ‘All clergy are asked at their ordination whether they will fashion their lives after the way of Christ. We believe we should revisit how this is explored beforehand, so the same questions are addressed to everyone without distinction.’ But Andrew Foreshaw-Cain, a parish priest in north London who is in a same-sex marriage, told the BBC that the report was ‘a failure of leadership’. He added: ‘The LGBT community is going to be extremely hurt by this. We were asked to trust our leaders. Many of us made ourselves vulnerable during the shared conversations, and none of that has been heard. The bishops have gone ahead and talked as if we didn't take part in it and as if we are not there.’

The World Prayer Centre has been journeying with The Turning since summer 2016. We provided prayer cover as this all began to develop and Jane Holloway is part of The Turning National Leadership team. We see this as a part of all that God has asking His church to get ready for in this time of unprecedented shaking – an unprecedented harvest. 

Here is an update from Yinka Oyekan, leader of The Gate in Reading: ‘On the 29th of May 2016 we began what we thought would be a one-week mission at our Baptist Church ‘The Gate’ which would possibly stretch into two weeks. In the end because of the results we were witnessing on the streets we stretched out the mission for a total of four weeks. In that time, we saw over 1850 people prayed for on the streets of Reading with many first-time commitments and rededications to Christ. Quite apart from the large numbers of responses to the gospel the sheer number of people willing to let us pray for them on the streets took us by surprise.

Seven months on from The Turning outpouring that shook our church in Reading, we have been excited to see in practice that this grace can and has been released in other cities. We have gained much insight through conducting five months of mission which has culminated in seeing over 4150 people in England and at last count over 865 in Lille in France respond in prayer to an invitation to accept Christ.

In the UK leadership teams covering over 230 towns and cities have asked us to bring The Turning to their town or city. In England, we are calling the implementation of this campaign to bring The Turning to these places ‘The Big Bang’, a campaign that will be inviting cities and towns to receive the best training we can give them prior to launching a Turning Team in their city or town. We will also be launching a similar event in several other countries in Europe where we have invitations to bring The Turning’.  December 2016

For more information http://theturning.eu

As this continues to develop we would invite you to pray with us for:

• Protection for Yinka, his family and all the leadership team for The Turning and at The Gate church
• Wisdom and continued grace to flow as they travel across the UK and beyond
• God’s presence to be experienced at every training session
• God’s kingdom to come and His will be done as churches get ready for this harvest
• For an awakening across the body of Christ to respond to the Father’s invitation
• For workers to go out into the harvest fields

Jane Holloway….

America and new President Donald Trump has been hitting the news headlines repeatedly in recent days. He lost the popular votes but won a majority of States through the electoral college system. America was deeply divided under President Obama and remains so under President Trump. It is not simply a political divide, there are divides across the age groups, rural voters v city voters and deep divisions on ethnic lines.

From a Christian perspective we believe unity is high on God’s agenda. Many American cities are working hard to bring the churches together so people around them see one body. Globally we believe there is a spiritual special relationship between the USA and the UK. We are both called to take the gospel to the world.

So at a time when Christians are arguing vehemently on Facebook and Twitter that Donald Trump is the Lord’s anointed, and others that he is just plain dangerous, we recommend three pray points:

• God bless America - we believe America has a key role in showing and communicating the gospel and we pray for God’s hand on its government and President - give them wisdom and may God’s will be done.
• God strengthen our links - at a time of great disagreements we pray the UK and USA might stand together as servants, ready to do what you call us to do.
• Bring healing - the disagreements are so fierce but God says He wants His church to be one so that the world will know Him. Disunity is the enemies strategy. Lord, we pray for the Holy Spirit miracle of unity, heal the hurts, enable your people to disagree but stand together.

1) Just wanted to share a powerful video testimony from Steve Buss (director of One Hope) and Eugene, OR!  They launched the 1church1day/1 church initiative strategy in his city a year ago!  With 39 churches today each taking a day of prayer once a month every month praying for 10 different spheres of culture in their community, connected through a simple communication plan (prayer guide and praise report) they are beginning to see measurable results to the Glory of God! 

Here is the link below! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsWmEu-BxtY

Jason Hubbard 

Light of the World

2) New Mexico Prays, a movement of churches and ministries covering New Mexico in 24/7 prayer. New Mexico is in desperate need of revival and transformation. 

Our vision is to mobilize churches and ministries all over New Mexico to unite in 24/7 prayer to see God revive the Church and transform our state. We are starting January 1, 2017.

SIGN UP: 

Go to our website and sign up your ministry to pray for our state.

http://newmexicoprays.org/sign-up/

HALF DAY OR FULL DAY: 

Choose a day of the month on which your ministry can pray for 1 full day (24 hours) or a half day (12 hours). If you are going to pray a half day, decide if you are going to pray Midnight to Noon or Noon to Midnight. 

For example, you pray the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. of every month for 2017. We would like to cover every day of the month in prayer. Please check our Calendar for available days.

http://newmexicoprays.org/calendar/calendar/

RECRUIT INTERCESSORS: 

The goal is to cover every hour of the day in prayer with at least 1 intercessor. Recruit at least 12-24 people from your ministry to cover New Mexico in prayer. People can pray from home, at work, or you can also schedule a special prayer time at your ministry to gather people in corporate prayer.

AGREE IN PRAYER:

You can include additional prayer requests, but these are the 8 main areas of need in New Mexico that we are praying for:

1. PRAY FOR THE LOST TO BE SAVED. 
2. PRAY FOR UNITY AMONG PASTORS AND CHURCHES. 
3. PRAY FOR GOD TO HEAL OUR LAND OF ABORTION. 
4. PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE FROM A SPIRIT OF VIOLENCE. 
5. PRAY FOR FREEDOM FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE. 
6. PRAY FOR TRANSFORMATION IN OUR ECONOMY AND EDUCATION.
7. PRAY FOR GOD TO BREAK THE SPIRIT OF WITCHCRAFT. 
8. PRAY FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION. 

ATTACHED RESOURCES:

Church and ministry signup (24 hours)
Print and pass out during service or put at your check-in desk.

Church and ministry signup (12 hours – Midnight to Noon)
Print and pass out during service or put at your check-in desk. 

Church and ministry signup (12 hours – Noon to Midnight)
Print and pass out during service or put at your check-in desk.

Prayer Focus (8.5 x 11 landscape)
This bulletin insert is meant to share our prayer focus with your members and intercessors.

Prayer Focus (5.5 x 8.5)

Easy to attach to an email to send to your church or upload to your website.

Pastor Brian Alarid, Co-Chairman

New Mexico Prays

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: https://NewMexicoPrays.org

Last Saturday Canon Joanna Penberthy was consecrated as Bishop of St Davids - the first female bishop in Wales. Her consecration marks the end of a journey that the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said had been ‘long and hard’ for the women of the Church - ‘first to be made deacon, then priest, and now bishop’. The Church in Wales had started debating women in the episcopate in 2005. After a setback in 2008, a bill was carried in 2013, and a Code of Practice made provision for those who remained opposed. Bishop Joanna’s election had been determined by her gifts and not her gender, Dr Morgan told the 500-strong congregation. He suggested that the liturgical confession might spur collective reflection on how the Church had impeded women’s ministry. His address praised the women for ‘daring to trust and daring to hope’, and for not allowing themselves to become cynical or bitter.

Social studies textbooks for grades 1-4 were recalled after an outcry from concerned parents over a page illustrating two Christian churches. The books had been introduced by the new management at Gateway International School, without official approval from the appropriate Maldivian ministry. A local news website accused the school of being ‘a gateway to turning Maldivians into Christians’. Thomas Muller, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, commented, ‘That the mere picture of a church is seen as promoting Christianity and potential proselytism shows how deeply ingrained the fear of the Muslim majority is. The appointment of a radical cleric to the highest Islamic Council (reported last month) also fits this pattern and will lead expatriate Christians to exercise even more caution, and indigenous Christians to take the utmost care in remaining undiscovered.’