Hi friends across the British Isles and beyond!
‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.
Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come’. Isaiah 60:1-5
These verses have been highlighted by the Holy Spirit many times over recent years for the British Isles. As we continue the journey of making room for the presence of Jesus across our family of nations, the words of the prophet Isaiah speak again to us of the invitation to look up, look out to welcome the nations and look in to ensure we are people who shine with the love of Jesus!
Update
More than Gold
Prayer strategy: November 2011-2012
World Prayer Assembly 14-18 May 2012
Update: As I work with a number of different teams here at World Prayer Centre, at More than Gold, at Hope, Prayer For Today, Global Day of Prayer, Prayer forum etc it is exciting to see how the prayer strategy is developing in the lead up to 2012; how HOPE is resourcing its constituency in prayer; and how God has created wonderful trust between different churches, organisations and ministries all planning for years of prayer in 2012 + all that is emerging in 2013 and 2014 – I get a real sense in my spirit that our Father is up to something. That ‘something’ is very profound as He knocks on the door of our planning with the aim of getting our attention off the programme and focussed afresh on Jesus.
- Last week saw a small gathering of some of the houses of prayer leaders from England and Republic of Ireland – a time not only to share our stories but step into the rhythm of continuous prayer at Ashburnham prayer & conference centre.
- This week a prayer team (from England, Ireland and Wales)has gone to Jersey to take part in their continuous prayer cover ahead of and during their elections on 19.10.11
- The explosion of prayer is continuing as we hear of days of prayer, weeks of prayer, prayer in schools, prayer in the workplace, prayer conferences, prayer walking being organised around our nations.
- And it is wonderful to hear the stories of our God answering prayer as people find faith, are healed, relationships restored etc.
And it is not just in our nation. The reports coming back from the prayer initiative on the North Korea border speak of it being an ordained time of prayer www.pink.2001.org; and I had the privilege of ministering to a national conference in Finland early in September and was thrilled to hear of how God is leading them especially with a month long media mission in Helsinki in September.
More than Gold – the organisation working to co-ordinate the churches response to the Olympic and Paralympic Games through hospitality, service and mission (undergirded by prayer) has seen some wonderful answers to prayer.
- A time to shine – a call to pray for communities and nations (Isaiah 60:1-5). There will be 4 seasons of prayer during 2012 in which all will be invited - whether linked with More than Gold or not – to pray locally and link nationally in this unique season.
- Shine for the New Year 31.12.11-8.1.12
- Shine as the flame travels* – prayer and blessing travelling around 210 locations at each place the Olympic torch stops for 70 days**
- Shine during the Games (both Olympic and Paralympics).
- Shine for ever – continuing the momentum of prayer and mission
*I will be in touch with leaders in For England – Together shortly to share more fully the prophetic background and invitation to join in Shine as the flame travels
** we are praying over what needs to take place prayerwise during the Paralympic torch relay.
www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/prayer
- Over 1750 church reps (Gold Champions) are in place and it is exciting to see how many churches are engaging in how to use the Games as a mission opportunity.
- All of the 23 programme teams are now in place and making plans to deliver resources to help churches run holiday clubs, sports academies, community festivals, deliver hospitality, welcome mission teams, accommodate athlete’s families, recruit Games Pastors (who will be used in transport hubs in SE England) etc.
Nov 2011- Nov 2012 – at a glance
The prayer strategy that has been evolving over recent years is now beginning to come into focus as different ministries, organisations and networks run with how the Lord has been leading them.
Click here for the link to an “Outline for 2012″ - some of the main things already in place are listed.
World Prayer Assembly 14-18 May 2012 Jakarta, Indonesia
We are hoping that a number of leaders from across the British Isles will be able to join Ian & Pauline Cole and Brian Mills at this exciting gathering (I would have loved to have gone but want to be around for the 70 day cascade of prayer!). Check out www.wpa2012.com for all the details.
- You will be responsible for registering and covering all your transport and accommodation costs but it may be possible, for the UK/BI delegation to be in the same hotel and/or link up during the Assembly.
- If you are planning on coming, go ahead and register your interest on the website and find out all the details you need from the central organisers.
- And if you are interested in linking up with a UK/British Isles delegation can you please email your interest to Laurence Sharman here at World Prayer Centre ( laurence.sharman@worldprayer.org.uk) by middle of November 2011.
And if you could pray for us here at WPC we would appreciate it. Our latest newsletter has just gone out to our supporters asking for prayer re finance. We have the money for our operating costs and the salaries of Dawn, Sue, Laurence and myself up until the end of November 2011!!
Blessings to one and all!
Jane J
Jane Holloway – Prayer Forum
Tel: 0121 633 7393 §ÃFax: 0121 643 5645 §ÃMob: 07917 465006
World Prayer Centre, Cornerstone House, 5 Ethel Street, Birmingham, B2 4BG
Email: prayer@worldprayer.org.uk §ÃWeb: www.worldprayer.org.uk
The World Prayer Centre is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England No: 3601828. Registered Charity No: 1072222.
Every precaution has been taken to help ensure this message is acceptable for public transmission and contains no known viruses; however, The World Prayer Centre accepts no responsibility for any contents of any electronic mail entering or leaving our network.
