BRISTOL PRAYER WALL JANUARY 2004 Bulletin
Email city prayer requests to: info@bristolprayerwall.org.uk; Website: www.bristolprayerwall.org.uk; Tel: 0117 9246856

PRAYER MEETINGS: Next Prayer Wall prayer meeting with worship and organisation for Rachel Hickson event is: Wed. Jan 21st 7pm to 9pm at Woodlands Christian Centre back of church and ring bell.

Preparation Prayer Meeting on day of Citywide Prayer Event is: Friday Jan. 30th 10am to 12pm at Pipn'Jay back entrance. (mob. 07785 900527)

OPEN PRAYER for BRISTOL MEETING Saturday Jan. 31st. 10am to 1pm - open to all - venue is Pipn'Jay back entrance in lounge (we hope also to have a 24-7 prayer room for reflective prayer and with specific info.on what to pray for in Bristol)

CONTENTS SUMMARY:

A Happy New Year to all our faithful "Bricks" on the Bristol Prayer Wall!

We want to thank you all very much for your continued faithfulness in prayer during this last year. Be encouraged that every prayer is important and together we can make a difference in this City of Bristol, for the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb. 12 "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes our eyes on Jesus, ---- Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.---- Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees!
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
So as we begin this New Year, may we each one come to our weekly hour of prayer with renewed eagerness to meet with the Lord and share with Him the needs of our City and Church, waiting eagerly to see how He will work to bring in His Kingdom.

God Bless you all,
With love from the Prayer Wall Committee

VOLUNTEERS & HELP/PRAYER NEEDED for CITYWIDE PRAYER CONFERENCE with Rachel Hickson of M25 Prayer Net (Date Friday Jan 30th 7.30pm - 10pm at Pipn'Jay)
If you are any type of leader in your church or other Christian ministry you can also attend the:
Leaders Address with Rachel & Gordon Hickson - Fri. Jan 30th 2.15pm - 3.30pm at Muller House, 7 Cotham Park, Cotham Bristol 6.

It would be great to see you at the event. Please let your churches, prayer groups and prayer leaders know about the event and get it put in your church bulletin. Help needed as follows:

- Volunteers for Stewarding - contact Geoff on tel: 9565236
- Volunteers for Carpark duty in 30min shifts - contact Geoff on tel: 9565236
- Distribute invitations and leaflets in churches - ring Clare tel: 9243638
- Volunteers to help set up and clear up
- Volunteers needed to do Registration ring Clare tel: 9243638 (turn up at 7.15pm)
- Volunteers needed to help set up and clear up (turn up at Pipn'Jay at 6pm onwards)
- Pray for the event to mobilise more prayer for Bristol in North, South, East and West, to envision people to have a deeper burden for the city, to bring deeper level of transformation both spiritually and practically, to bring more unity amongst all levels of people - leaders, intercessors, the general Body of Christ in Bristol
- Pray for Rachel and Gordon Hickson to hear from God about Bristol and to deliver a message which will help us move on in prayer as a city
- Attend the various prayer meetings we have organised above


REPORT OF PRAYER ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING 2004

The night before it had been noisy and crowded with revellers; but at 10am on January 1st we were a small circle amongst the inactive water fountains at the City Centre. Neptune's statue was still boarded up to protect him from the boisterous crowds of the night before.
The group of 50+ who now had the Centre almost to themselves came from churches all over Bristol and beyond. A small crowd but representative of the wide spectrum of life living and working in the City - an MP, a university lecturer, a worker with the homeless, several pastors, children, students etc. Several wore the fluorescent jackets of the Prayer Patrol. All were united before God to ask his blessing on Bristol in 2004. We prayed for the people of the city and all it's activities.
The hour went quickly and the Centre was then getting busier. Life in Bristol does not pause for long. However the point has been had been made - Jesus' name had been honoured in the heart of Bristol. Not only that but this was an event called by a black pastor in a city which had fostered slavery. We linked hands at the end, black and white together , humbled and aware of the power of forgiveness.

VIOLENCE ON BRISTOL'S BUSES

A vibrant, faith-filled Nigerian, called Bright Azuru was one of the intercessors who prayed zealously for the youth of Bristol on New Years morning with the group above. In the evening he ended up in the BRI hospital unconscious due to be being kicked and beaten by 10 youths from the Redcliffe council estate when he tried to stop them throwing bottles at a bus (he is a bus driver). He has suffered blurred vision, a battered face and head injuries but is recovering - pray for a complete and rapid recovery. Apparently such incidents are not rare - there are many areas of Bristol now where buses refuse to go because of similar incidents. Pray for the protection of bus drivers across the city and for the Holy Spirit to minister to the violent and frustrated youth of Bristol and for a long-term solution for them. Pray also for the police in dealing with such cases.

PRAY FOR ASPIRE - which provides the local Homeless with work

(order line no 0870 066 4153 - contact Paul Tipler)

Aspire- distributing fairtrade products and helping the local homeless.

Formed in Bristol by two Oxford graduates, in The Wesley Methodist Church in town.
Idea is to give homeless and ex- homeless people a job, give them skills, and aim to keep them 6 months to a year, to give them a chance, reference and hopefully help change habits for people with difficult lifestyles.

There are 7 Aspires across the country.
The core of the job is delivering and collecting catalogues, which can be quite tough in all weathers, and can be very boring. However on the verge of developing new businesses, grant application to the ESF to start window cleaning company.

PRAYER NEEDS:
- V.frustrating, catlogue company in crisis! Need to resolve issues.
- Company owes a significant amount.
- Council pays quarterly in arrears, which doesn't help.
- Distribution of catalogues
- ESF bid
- Need for Part time support workers.

EASTON - A DISPARATE COMMUNITY

Easton today is where many of Bristol's communities rub shoulders, and consequently has developed its own particular character. Outsiders hear only about its criminal elements but it is still home to many communities. According to the 2001 Census about half of its residents consider themselves Christian ( which is much lower than any other part of Bristol). The new Bengali mosque has grabbed attention because of its white domes peeping up over the M32 between the advertising hoardings. But although Easton does have several mosques only 8% actually claim to be Muslims. Another 29% follow other religions including New Age.
The Inner Circuit Road, Easton Way, has split Easton into two. The main shops are above the Dual Carriageway and since the subways were closed many folk have to cross the road to get to them.
Because of drugs, and recently the eviction of drug gangs from St Paul's, there are serious problems which Easton cannot shake off. Residents are finding drug dealing has moved into their back streets to avoid the CCTV cameras. The gangs protect their patch with guns. Please pray for the law abiding residents who whilst not the targets have to live with danger. Where there are drugs there is also prostitution something else that the community do not want.
Please pray that Jesus will be recognised as able to save even in St Mark's Road and Easton Way. Remember the churches active in His name. Pray for the B.E.S.T initiative where local shop keepers are trying to promote the regeneration of the shops along Stapleton Rd. Remember the police as they attempt to tackle drug related violence, which is deemed to be some of the worst in the country.

DISABLED CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CO-OPERATIVE

DCF is a Christian run Workshop for people who have minor or major disabilities. It has been providing an occupational working environment 5 days a week since 1990 for those who otherwise would remain at home. Based in Brislington, members are brought to the workshop each day. Although DCF does receive some funding it relies for the rest on donations and volunteers, especially drivers. Please remember all those who benefit from this working environment, including the carers who are able to gain time off. Pray for the management committee made up of staff and workers. Pray especially that the flow of work will continue into 2004.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN HORFIELD PRISON

Slowly but surely the RJ project in Horfield Prison is reaching out to victims and offenders alike, and in a short while has seen encouraging results.
Restorative Justice is an innovative and human approach to dealing with an offender, but is also putting the needs of victims at the forefront, which may go a long way to preventing re-offending and of promoting healing for the victims of crime.
Results so far have shown that a considerable number of inmates are prepared to discuss the consequences of their actions and in some cases to meet their victims. Many had not really realised the long term consequences of their crimes and subsequently have been deterred from re-offending. "I remember telling my social worker that all I needed was to met or feel the way my victims do, to end my life of burgling. I was 15 when I said this, I a now 28, having served 10½ years of life in jail"
Victims also have been grateful to know that their assailant now appreciates the full impact and harm of their crime.
Please pray especially for Lindy Wootton who has been responsible for introducing the principals of RJ through a series of courses and discussion groups within the various wings of the prison. Funding is not guaranteed for 2004. RJ is actively supported by many Quakers in Bristol. Please pray that the prison authorities will continue to support this project, and that it will spread to other prisons.

PRAY FOR THE EXPANSION & BLESSING ON REVELATION DJ LED WORSHIP

Revelation DJ led worship by Fellowship of the King have started a once monthly Sunday evening worship time led by a DJ with singers, using electronic dance music.
6.30-8.00pm Prayer room, Main Hall The Elmgrove Centre Redland Road Redland Bristol
It will often be on the same evening as the Mix as we are going to do it the 1st Sunday each month, although it is aimed at 20s and 30s, although everyone is welcome. It is at present only a small meeting with 10-20 people coming, but any numbers are welcome. If we outgrow the room we can move. Pass this on please to anyone you think may be interested
Future dates will be; 1 Feb, 7 Mar, 4 Apr and onwards see www.bcisgnet.co.uk/revelation for further details and mp3 clips. God bless James Bragg