November 2003 Newsletter
Thank you to everyone who is praying for our city at this time. We are aware that God is already answering some of those prayers. In this issue we have asked people involved in the City Centre to provide us with pointers to guide our prayers. Also there's news of three Prayer Houses opening in different areas across the city and feedback from Bradley Stoke on the last "Prayer for Bristol" meeting.
THE NEED FOR INTERCESSORS:
You may not consider yourself an intercessor, but your willingness just to pray for God to come into the lives and situations of this city will not be in vain – Christ will richly reward you and longs for you to stand with Him in helping to bring Open Heaven to this city so that God’s purposes will rule and reign here and His Kingdom will come:
Ezekiel 22:30 ‘I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger….’
Isaiah 63: 3-6 ‘ I have trodden the winepress alone;…. I looked but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me…’
In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus was left alone by His disciples which he prophesied: John 16:32’ You will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me’.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INTERCESSOR:
An Intercessor identifies and has compassion for those he prays for :
Isaiah 53: 10-12 ‘He poured out His soul unto death. He was numbered with the transgressors and He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors..’
An Intercessor goes between the Altar and the people – Joel 2:17
An Intercessor travails and submits to God’s Spirit:
Hebrews 5:7-8 ‘Jesus.. offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death and he was heard because of his reverent submission…’
An Intercessor knows how to move the hand of God that moves the world…and has far reaching effects and influence in the world… and is able to move angels to minister tome in this life… and restrain the work of the Evil one to ruin man…
Psalm 2: 9 ‘ Ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron sceptre.’
PRAY FOR GATHERING OF INTERCESSORS AND CHRISTIAN LEADERS ON SAT. JANUARY 31ST 9am to 1pm 2004 with Rachel Hickson – MOBILISING JOEL’S ARMY – read Joel chapter 2 –‘Blow a trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm on My Holy Mountain!.....Let the priests, the Lords’s ministers weep between the porch and the altar… Then the Lord will be zealous for His land… and send grain, new wine and oil
The vision is to gather those involved in prayer and intercession together from across all parts of the city so we can work together in Unity strategically and can beat as one pulse of God’s Heart for His purposes. As we have waited on the Lord about gathering intercessors and prayer people together we had a vision of an army of horses, linked with Joel 2 and visions of an oceans of God’s spirit flooding the city. We hope the sharing of ideas and cross-fertilization is will to motivate, inspire and encourage more prayer for city activity. We believe spiritual activity in the city is increasing in intensity and its important that more prayer takes place to cover and protect increased outreach, social action etc. Rachel Hickson and her husband Gordon Hickson set up the M25 Prayer Net, used to work with Reinhard Bonke and is an international speaker and prophetic intercessor. Please pray that all church prayer leaders and those with a heart for prayer and for city transformation will attend this gathering. Also pass on the message to your churches. The day will include an optional fast for the city for those who feel led.
For more info. Email: bristolprayerwall@blueyonder.co.uk or contact tel: 07785900527
You are precious and valuable to God! Please pray for the following aspects of city life as the Holy Spirit guides you:
FOCUS YOUR PRAYERS ON KEEPING GOD in BRISTOL CITY CENTRE
Every City tends to be judged by its Centre, That's where the visitors go, but it's also where many Bristolians work and shop and live. More and more people are moving in, particularly along the Harbourside. Pip n Jay is expecting an increase in its parish of 500 homes. And it's not just shop fronts and luxury flats. Step off of main thoroughfares, and for those who care to explore there are many hidden courtyards and glimpses back into Bristol's past. This is where people have lived for hundreds of years.
Where is God to be found in all this. Life goes on 24 hours a day and we need to praying around the clock There is currently a move from the City Centre Churches to develop their common ministry and mission. Please pray for all involved ( they next meet on Nov 24th). Pray for vision and the means to reach their goals. This includes plans for new work with students.
The City Council is another agency wanting to enhance the quality of life in the Centre with its Regeneration and Community Development projects. Church and Council don't always see eye to eye. Please pray for all Council Officials that they may be open to understanding the commitment of the Christian church in the life of their communities.
Financial centre
And there are those who only hit the streets during their lunch break, working in offices in the Centre. Many of the UK's leading financial institutions have centres in Bristol.
"The Financial services sector generates much of Bristol's wealth. At the moment is under a great pressure from governmental changes which are impacting the day to day running of the business and a falling stock market.
If you have vision pray that business in the city will be places in which :
- the Father is lifted up and exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords.
- Justice and truth are foundation business principles applied to business processes, employees and consumers alike.
If you are more down to earth pray that:
Ÿ In this time of insecurity and change people will come to know the Father as their Rock, Refuge and Strong tower, remembering that out of chaos God created the world.
Ÿ Christians will be good ambassadors of Father and Son whatever their situation
Ÿ Marketplace leaders will recognise the importance in society of the family structure and would not add to its destruction by imposing an increase of working hours or frequent and long trips away from home. 24/7 can only apply to machines."
"Wealth is one of the most influencing possessions in the world. With it you can influence communities, governments and nations. At the moment the system is not completely under the authority of the Father. If, as Christians, we could change that situation, we could influence the way wealth is used within our neighbourhood, city, government and the nations, as did Joseph, Daniel and Ruth."
Lyn
Journey without end
Bristol in the 21st century is looking forward to growth and prosperity and a vibrant Centre. Let's not forget the destitute who gravitate to the street in the hope of finding help. We have been asked especially to pray for asylum seekers facing destitution, a way back to life. There is very little for them. Recently the Council has cracked down of street drinking. This has been effective, however there are reports of more people congregating just outside the zone. Please pray for the residents of these areas who are concerned that the problem has been moved nearer to them. Crisis Centre Ministries are finding that they lose contact with a large number of their clients who seem to have just moved on again. Please pray that they may not be journeys without end.
Young Weekend
Friday and Saturday nights in town have for a long time been the territory of the young. The crowds gather from WhiteLadies Rd down to Corn Street, carefully watched over by both bouncers and police. Inevitably there is trouble aggravated by alcohol. Bristol has a large student population and whatever happens the crowd are unlikely to go away. Please pray that the excesses can be contained and that young people can have a good time without obstructing others who want to use the Centre. Pray for the individuals who make up the crowd.
Pray for the Police; Peace and Worship at Halloween; Safety on Bonfire Night; for St Pauls Youth Outreach - Gate Youth Café at City Rd Baptist and PACE climbing & Football
Police Inspector Chris Weigold has received a lot of press coverage over his concerns that this firework season will see even larger fireworks on the streets of St Pauls. Previous years have seen gangs of youths firing huge rockets at each other. Please pray for the police as they try to keep the situation under control, at great risk to themselves.
And remember Andy Paget in his new role as Senior Police Chaplain. There are over 5,000 people employed by the police service. Whilst Andy is looking forward to visiting the helicopter section, he realises he can't be everywhere and needs to know where God wants him to be. Many long serving police chaplains are retiring soon, pray for God to raise up new and anointed replacements. Across the UK God is doing is strategically using work between Christians and the Police force to cut crime and bring blessing to regions.
BRISTOL CHRISTIAN ACTION NETWORK
BCAN's remit is a wide one but essentially it exists in order to promote and support Christian-based social relief work throughout the city and its surrounds. To this end meetings are held quarterly which affords opportunity for anyone involved in this type of work (be it poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, violence etc.) to meet and share with others and to hear a specialist speaker. Occasional half-day conferences are also organised and BCAN has its own “homelessness forum”. In this way contacts are made, information distributed, and a general sense of cohesion is engendered for these vital aspects of Christian ministry.
Please pray
1) That BCAN’s objectives may be fulfilled and that God will be glorified in all that is done. (e.g. Christian influence on political and statutory decision making; viable projects being sustained; overlap and duplication being avoided)
2) For God’s choice in the appointment of a part-time or full-time worker for BCAN.
3) For BCAN’s joint work with other agencies such as. Crisis Centre Ministries with whom a volunteers training programme is undertaken. More details about BCAN are on the CCM website.
NEW SCHOOL?
In the last few weeks there have been calls for a secondary school on Emerson Green, and most likely it would be a joint project by the Catholic and Anglican churches who would like to see a faith-based school in South Gloucestershire. There is a lot of support for the idea amongst parents whose children currently have to be bussed to other areas. Please pray that the Council's Education Department will take the idea seriously.
18 November 2003 is PrayDay, a day when young people will meet to pray for their schools. All over Europe they will be gathering in big and small groups to invite God into their school situations. There are no limits on who can pray. We want parents, teachers and other Christians to join in and support them.
If you like the idea, then get involved! It needn't be complicated. Look for other Christians at your school. Get together to think about what to do on 18th November. Then meet on PrayDay and pray:
in the playground at church before school
during break or lunchtime after school whatever time and place you can think of!
Spread the idea, because our schools need prayer!
PrayDay is sponsored by Schools Ministry Network, 207-209 Queensway,
Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK13 7HR
HOUSES of PRAYER opening in Staple Hill, Bedminster and Hotwells
Staple Hill
Just opened in North East Bristol is a House for Prayer as result of a group of churches seeking God's guidance for the use of the property. Easily accessible and in a prominent position at the busiest part of the High Street in Staple Hill, it's hoped that folk will just drop in. Haven House offers both indoor and outdoor space for prayer - it has a long garden. Any groups wanting to visit should contact Sue Wootten on 956 6384 (www.havenhouse.co.uk).
This project has come to fruition in a very short time through the united action of locals Christians who are very excited about its potential. They were inspired by the house number which is 133! Psalm 133 says "How good it is when brothers live together in unity".
Bedminster
An International Prayer Community House has recently opened in Holmesdale Rd, Victoria Park, Bedminster and is in the process of being set up to facilitate more Prayer in Bedminster and the South of the city. The vision is in the longer term, to see spiritual breakthrough in the South of the city (known for its oppression), to offer a dedicated room for prayer and to eventually set up an inter-church 24 hour house of prayer and worship based in the South. The current residents come from Uganda, Nigeria, China, Russian, Spain and the UK with some short-term visitors from France. ‘We need the help of internationals to break through in the Heavenly Realms over this city and the insight of people like the Africans to help us see His Kingdom come here in this difficult area’.
There is an inter-church early morning prayer meeting focusing on Prayer for the South of the Bristol every Wednesday 7am to 8am+ contact Naomi Knapp tel: 9427303 or 07785 900527 for further details.
Hotwells
Hope Community Church are having a Grand Opening to their Prayer Centre in Hotwells, Hopechapel Hill on Friday 7th November 7.30pm and will offer Teaching from the World Trumpet Mission, Uganda on Sat. 8th November 9.30am. Tel. 9298694 to book. John Mulinde or Arnold Muwonge may be present.
UNITY in BRADLEY STOKE
When "Prayer for Bristol" came to Bradley Stoke we were welcomed by folk from all the churches. Praise God for the visible unity to be seen amongst the great variety of churches that there are. Plans are being made for a major evangelistic event for Christmas 2004. Please pray that this visible unity will bear fruit.
SUPPORT for HEALTH CARE WORKERS
We have been asked to mention the work of organisations such as the 'Healthcare Christian Fellowship' and 'Christian Nurses and Midwives' which bring together those working in our hospitals, health centres and nursing homes. Please continue to pray for and support those in our community & congregations who care for the sick, elderly, disabled or mentally ill. The HCF contact in Bristol is Benilda Honrade agape38@hotmail.com
WORKFORCE
Aspire Community Enterprise is an organisation inspired by Christian principles which has been in Bristol since 1999. It provides full time employment for homeless and ex-homeless people. It also provides support to help cope with the transition from homelessness into full-time employment. Currently this is through a distribution business delivering its own catalogue and other companies leaflets. The staff at Aspire have a numbers of issues which they would value prayer for ;-
Ÿ There is a cash flow problem. Funding from the Council and payment from the catalogue company comes months in arrears.
Ÿ Please pray for each of the workers they seek to help to move forward with their lives after what is usually many years of addition, offending and unemployment.
Ÿ Pray for more volunteers to help with driving the minibus, admin and support to the workers.
Halloween Praise Party and half night of prayer and worship Halloween Friday Oct 31st in the centre of Bristol at Jesus Kingdom City Church , Cannon St next to the Bus Station at 7.30pm to 11.30pm
We believe that this event is spiritually strategic for God's glory and victory in Bristol. Halloween is the high point of Occult activity in the year and is when animal/child sacrifice may occur. We want to be knowing Jesus Lordship and victory in Bristol on Friday night and to pray for protection on the vulnerable. Please come along and also invite your friends and tell people in your church. You can turn up at any time.
For more info. email bristolprayerwall@blueyonder.co.uk or tel: 07785900527
And so the story of Bristol continues, make your prayers count.
We would like to increase the frequency of this bulletin so that we can include more immediate issues and so provide more opportunities for targeted prayer. For this to work we will need more contributions from people like you to alert us to issues needing prayer. Send to: info@bristolprayerwall.org.uk
____________________ Published by the Bristol PrayerWall ____________________
0117 924 6856 www.BristolPrayerWall.org.uk
Many thanks for your
continuing prayers. Contributions for the next letter to Info@BristolPrayerWall.org.uk.
Financial support to the Treasurer, 48 Arnall Drive, BS10 7AP.
Email city prayer requests to:
info@bristolprayerwall@org.uk
Website: www.bristolprayerwall.org.uk
Tel: 0117 9246856