PRAYER WEEK 4th – 10th January 2016

Central theme for the week:

Monday 4th Janu-ary 2016

Main Theme – Knowing about Jesus

Bible Reading : Mark 8:27-30

What do people in this nation know and believe about Jesus? What do they really think of us, his followers? Are we talking about Jesus enough? And when we are, are we drawing people closer towards him, or further away? These are just some of the questions we at the Church of England, Evangelical Alliance and HOPE commissioned Barna Group to ask. Futurologist Dr Patrick Dixon, chairman of Global Change, warned a gathering of 40 key leadrs of denominations of the danger of institutional blindness. The power of the Holy Spirit was needed alongside the hard work of contextualising the gospel: not an institution-al response but a people movement; something simple that enabled Christians to have mil-lions more sensitive, positive, culturally-relevant conversations about Jesus that could be deeply effective in evangelism.

In the Talking Jesus survey we asked people ‘Which of the following best describes your understanding of Jesus Christ?’ They replied: He was a real person who actually lived – 60% He is a mythical or fictional character – 22% Don’t know – 18% One in four 18 to 34 year olds think Jesus was a mythical or fictional character Pray For schools, that the truth about Jesus will be taught clearly That the 60% who believe Jesus lived, might come to know him personally For the 18% of people who haven’t made up their mind – may they discover who Je-

sus is for themselves We asked English adults which, if any, of the following statements reflect your beliefs about Jesus Christ? They replied: A normal human being – 17% God in human form who lived among people in the first century – 21% A prophet or spiritual leader, not God – 30% Don’t know – 9% Other – 2% Prayer Thank God that one in five of the population knows that Jesus is God in human form –ask God to help these people to put their faith into words relevantly. Prayer for CBC

Pray for us to grow spiritually (as individuals and as a church) and numerically.

Pray for the changes that growth brings to the Church e.g. relationships and staffing.

Pray that we might get a clear indication as to the way forward concerning how we use 51 Bargates and the church premises.

Pray for the God given provision to finance the ministry within CBC.

Pray that all relationships within the fellowship would be God honouring and reflect the holiness of God

Pray that 2016 will be a year of deepening relationships among the family at CBC and deepening sense of responsibility for each other’s well-being, spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Pray that we will love one another deeply, caring for the struggling, weak, needy, vul-nerable, lonely, bereaved and bereft in our family.

Organised Event

12:30—1:00 Soup and roll followed by

1.00 – 2.00pm Church Prayer Meeting - Church

Tuesday 5th Janu-ary 2016

Main Theme – . Knowing about Jesus

Bible Reading : Eph 3:14-21

What does the English population believe about the resurrection? Belief in the resurrection is more common than you might think. The research showed that just under half of English adults (43%) believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. One in six of them (17%) believes the resurrection account happened ‘word-for word’ as described in the Bible, while a quarter believe that the biblical account has some content which ‘should not be taken literally’ (26%). Pray We give thanks for all that Jesus has done for every person through the cross and resurrec-tion. Loving Lord Jesus, we ask for: forgiveness for the times when we have not reached out with your compassion Your love to direct all of our relationships and conversations so that many will under-

stand the implications of the resurrection for their lives our church(es) to become more and more a place(s) where people of all ages discover

your love Loving Jesus, we thank you that millions in this country are open to you and have Christian friends and family members. We pray that these relationships will be fruitful and that many will come to know you through the lives of your people. The survey wanted to know a little about the respondents . It found that 57% of the Eng-lish population self-identify as Christian, but just 9% are described as practising Christians. Surprisingly the percentage of practising Christian (1-2%) as a percentage of the total population across all age bands was relatively the same .

Looking at the occupation profile the survey found the following

19% were employed in Education,

18% were retired or not employed

10% were employed in Health

Prayer

Thank God for those practising Christians working in Education. Thank God for The Association of Christian Teachers, that provides professional and spiritual support to Christian’s right across the education spectrum

Thank God for all the practising Christians working in the Health service. Thank God for Nurses Christian Fellowship or Christian Medical Fellowship who seek to unite and encourage medical staff.

Volunteering is not just about helping others , it’s one of the best ways to grow in your relationship with God

Prayer for CBC

Praise God for all the people (Name them before God) as you reflect on all the jobs that are undertaken in the Church on a Sunday or during the week. by volunteers .

Ask God to find out what service you can offer to the life of the church.

Organised Event

12:30—1:00 Soup and roll followed by

1.00 – 2.00pm Church Prayer Meeting - Church

Wednes-day 6th January 2016

Main Theme – Talking about Jesus Bible Reading : Matthew 28:16-20

We wanted to know: Are practising Christians evangelising? And, if they are, who are they talking to and what happens after these conversations?

The survey found that, on the whole, we are confident in the gospel. Over half of practising Christians say they are always on the look-out for opportunities to talk about Jesus to those who don’t know him. The vast majority (72%) feel comfortable about doing so, while some (26%) for some reason feel unable to take up these opportunities to share their faith in Je-sus.

Pray

We give thanks for all who have helped us on our own journey of faith. Jesus, Lord of life, we ask for:

a new confidence to offer to pray, bringing light, life and healing to those we meet

a new boldness to talk about the difference Jesus has made in our lives

help so we will make time to stop and create space for conversations to happen

Jesus - you are Lord of every part of our lives. Our friends and family need your deep love, grace and forgiveness. We pray that we will be effective instruments for you and that the good news of Jesus will be revealed to tens of thousands of people across every age-group and background.

Pray for CBC

Elders, Deacons, Staff Members and Ministry Leaders carry great responsibility within the life of CBC. Each of these roles operates to establish, build and strengthen the body of Christ seeking constantly to spiritually lead according to the Word of God and under the direction and revelation of the Holy Spirit.

The call of God to carry out these roles within the church places additional weight and demands on their daily Christian lives in making certain that their walk before God and everyone is a Godly example to others.

Pray that the leaders will know the mind of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Ask God to give the leaders wisdom, integrity and boldness when making decisions.

Pray for an increase in their individual gifting and a closer walk with the Holy Spirit.

Their love for God and the body of Christ will prevail over any personal agenda.

Their lives demonstrate the spiritual qualities demanded in the scriptures.

Together with their families they will know the protection of God in their daily walk.

Pray for all the Moreland students assigned to CBC, pray that they might know the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Praise God for Hannah and Kay and the work they are undertaking within CBC, Pray that in their lives they will grow in the Lord and have the strength and sensitivity in all they do. Pray for the release of finance to enable the continued ministry in CBC.

Pray that God will raise up more spiritual leaders within the body of Christ.

Pray for the ministry of pastoral care and desire for a community that genuinely dis-plays God's love

Organised Event

12:30—1:00 Soup and roll followed by

1.00 – 2.00pm Church Prayer Meeting - Church

Thursday 7th Janu-ary 2016

Main Theme – Talking about Jesus

Bible Reading : Matthew 9 :35-38

Each of us is called to take part in the Great Commission. The Survey showed that 85% of practising Christians believe “it is every Christian’s responsibility to talk to noin-Christians about Jesus Christ” Sadly that means 15% of Christians believed they had no responsibility to talk to non-Christians about Jesus

However, 35% feel that others are better equipped to talk to others about Jesus and 33% are afraid of causing offence to non-Christians by speaking about him.

Pray

We thank you Lord that you have commissioned all of us in the task of sharing the Good News about Jesus. We ask for

A renewed confidence to share the Good News of Jesus

A fresh boldness to speak about Jesus without fear of causing offence

We wanted to know “The Last time Christians talked about Jesus with a non-Christian”

The survey found 66% of Christians had a conversation within the last month, with the MIl-lenials (18 to 34 age group) sharing their faith less than any other age group 63% of them having talked about Jesus in the past month, compared to 75% of 35 to 44 year olds, who were the most likely to have had a recent conversation.

The survey found that the 18 to 34 age group who self –identify as Christian where the most passionate about Jesus, but not reporting regularly attending Church, praying or read-ing the Bible.

According to Pew Research group

59 per cent of Millennials describe their generation as self-absorbed

49 per cent say they are wasteful and 43 per cent describe them as greedy Pray

Pray for the millennial generation ,that churches up and down the country might know how to challenge the prevailing culture with the self sacrificing love of Christ.

Pray for CBC

Thank God for all of the opportunities we have as a church to share his love in our workplaces, families, social activities - our 'frontlines'.

Pray for your friends, family, and work colleagues who do not know Jesus as Lord. Ask God to help you to build relationships naturally with those with whom you already have contact.

Think of people you know well who do not know the Lord Jesus. those to pray for this year – for example a friend, a family member, an acquaintance, a colleague, a neigh-bour Write their names on the Bookmark and commit to prayer for them this year,– and so to help them encounter Jesus

Pray that you will be bold enough to invite your friends and neighbours to the events planned for 2016

Please pray for the development and direction of women’s / men’s ministry in the life of CBC. Pray that as it develops it will meet the needs of women and men in a way that enables them to grow in their faith and share their faith with others.

Organised Event

10:30 - 12:00 Men’s Bible study and prayer (See notices for location)

7.30 – 8.30pm Church Prayer Meeting - Church followed by Tea and coffee

Friday 8th

January

2016

Main Theme – Encountering Jesus

Bible Reading : Acts 9:17-20

We asked: How do non-Christians encounter Jesus, engage with his followers and make a decision to follow him themselves? The research showed most non-Christians (67%) in England know a practising Christian

– and that person is most likely to be a friend (40%) or family member (34%). For 15% of non-Christians, the Christian they know is an acquaintance, for 7% a col-

league and for 4%, a neighbour. And they don’t just know us; they like us too, with non-Christians more likely to describe us positively than negatively. Pray We give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us all we need to follow Jesus and share him with others. Risen Jesus, we ask: you to fill us afresh with your Holy Spirit and guide us in how we talk and share about

you that every Christian and every church across our nation will become more active in

evangelism Lord, give me the confidence and love to share my story, to offer the gift of prayer and be salt in the places where you have put me. Prayer for CBC

Praise God for the growth we are seeing within the children’s work. Pray for the on-going vision and strategy to build up the work amongst young people and children within and outside the church.

Let’s find ways to support Christian parents in their key role of encouraging their chil-dren to become followers of Jesus.,

Children’s work Please pray for the number of different children’s group in the church on a Sunday

morning: Crèche, Bubbles, Splash , Xstream and Waves and Fridays: Stepping Stones and Trailblazers.

Please pray for relationships to deepen with the families

Young People

Please pray for the youth team as we continually seek God’s wisdom for the direction of the youth work

Please pray for the young people that they will trust in our faithful, loving and Sovereign God

Please pray for the young people that will have confidence in who they are in Christ

Please Pray for the young people as they face the pressures of school, culture and gen-eral being a teenager in today’s society. Pray that God will be with them and their fami-lies.

Children’s and youth team Please pray for the children and youth team leaders that they will continually be close in

their walk with the lord and know his leading in all they seek to do with the children and young people throughout the week.

Pray for activities organised or facilitated by the church which have direct contact with the community and for all those leading and supporting these hugely valuable ministries:

Organised Event

12:30—2:00 Ladies Coffee and Prayer Meeting - Church

Saturday 9th Janu-ary 2016

Main Theme – Encountering Jesus

Bible Reading: Acts 2: 42—47

More than half (58%) of non-Christians who know a practising Christian have had a conver-sation with them about their faith in Jesus. And 36% of people have cited conversations with Christians they know as an important part of their coming to faith. Of those who felt talking to a Christian they knew was key to their conversion, for 44% that conversation was with a friend, for 18% it was a family member, 15% an acquaintance, 7% a colleague and 3% a neighbour. Pray That more Christians are encouraged to share Jesus with their neighbours and col-

leagues more

The survey found that of those who say they are a non-Christian but have had a conversa-tion with a Christian about Jesus Christ, 1 in 5 of them remain open to find out more or to have an experience of Jesus Christ.

Pray

Praise God that people are still open to finding out more about Jesus, Pray that we as a fellowship continue to find ways at reaching out to more non Christians.

Is anyone too far from the reach of God’s love and grace? The Apostle Paul would say no.

His story is a classic picture of what it looks like to hate one’s enemies. Before his encoun-ter with Jesus, his animosity toward Christians was extreme, and it drove him to think and act in violence. Sound familiar? Today, many are witnessing the persecution of Christians by modern-day “Sauls”—members of ISIS.

Prayer for the world

We thank Jesus Christ for His work of salvation on the cross which is not just for us, our church, our country, but rather for all around the globe. We thank Him for impulses for a peaceful, integrative co-existence of various nationalities.

Pray that, like Paul, they would see the light of Christ. Pray that in the presence of Jesus’ light all darkness would flee, and that the light of Christ would expose all lies and reveal Jesus.

Pray that the church wouldn’t just sit back and watch a physical war take place, but that they would fight with the most powerful weapons: prayer, fasting, and love. Pray that the church throughout the world would follow Jesus’ command to love and pray for their enemies.

Pray for Libya which may become the next major international hot bed of trouble.

With the increase of civil and religious war, Syrians are fleeing their country and crossing borders into Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. Frontiers workers report that multitudes of refu-gees are disenchanted with Islam due to the abuses they have experienced at the hands of other Muslims. They describe the eagerness among Syrians to embrace the secure hope that we have in Christ.

Pray for Syrian refugees,

that many would have the chance to hear the Gospel as workers minister to them with compassion and love.

Organised Event

11:00—12:00 Creative Prayer for Children and Families - Church

Sunday

10th Jan-

uary 2016

Main Theme - Encountering Jesus

Bible Reading :Revelation 7: 9 –12

General Prayer Points:

Thank Jesus Christ for His work of salvation on the cross which is not just for us, our church, our country, but rather for all around the globe.

Let’s pray for the church in our nation. We are faced with an enormous challenge but also great opportunities. Simply improving our skills or commitment will not be enough. We need God’s intervention. Prayer alongside any action is essential

Prayer Hints

Praise God that Joe and Ruth Egan have been invited to join the staff team at Enfield Baptist Church full-time. in September when they finish their studies,. Still continue to prayer for them in their final year of studies.

Pray for the work of BMS and other aid organisations working in Sudan and Ethiopia and other countries needing emergency aid

Pray for the work of Samaritan’s Purse

Pray for Thailand and the Juniper Tree and Dolphin Bay Centres.

Pray for the work of Edith’s Home in Uganda.

Pray for Stephanie Darling in Malawi

Pray for Light of Hope (John & Mary Windo) in South Africa.

Prayer for the Community

Pray for all of the schools in Christchurch - their teachers and pupils.

Pray for the Councillors and Council Officers that they will act with integrity and for their partnership with the CCP and other organisations to achieve the common vision to make Christchurch a safe, inclusive and vibrant place to live and work.

Pray for and support the local businesses in Bargates, Saxon Square and the High Street.

Pray for our neighbours living or working in Beaconsfield Road and Bargates..

Pray for the work of EDP (next door to the church) with those suffering from drug and alcohol addictions.

Pray that our churches will recognize the signs of the times and intercede for this na-tion..

Pray for our nation and the Government. Pray for those Christian MP’s that they might walk in integrity.

Prayer for a measured response to the Government’s counter extremism policy which puts additional responsibilities on schools, colleges etc. and may restrict access by Christian youth workers, ministers etc.

Pray for wisdom as to how the Government implements the Living with Differ-ence—Woolf report which secularises much of Britain's Christian heritage

Christchurch Food Bank -

Pray for all of those in crisis who have been helped by it - that they experience the love of Christ through his people.

Pray for their work with the increasing number of homeless in Christchurch and for God's wisdom on the way forward with that work

Pray for Home Equip—the furniture project as it seeks to work in partnership with oth-ers to meet the needs of those vulnerable folk being rehoused with nothing.

Organised Event

8.45 – 9:15am Prayer for service in Chris’ Office.