Monday, October 31, 2011
10/31/2011, #31, 4th Quarter 2011
Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), (Nehemiah 6:1)
Lord Jesus Christ, rebuild the walls around your faithful dioceses and parishes so that the enemy may not get in.
that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner. (Nehemiah 6:2-4)
Holy Spirit, there is a time to speak and a time to remain silent. Show Bishop Bill Love and Bishop Mark Lawrence when it is time to meet and talk with those who oppose them and when it is time to refuse.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, "There is a king in Judah!" Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. (Nehemiah 6:5-7)
Just as with Nehemiah, so now with Bishop Mark Lawrence, false accusations are being leveled against him. Jesus, defend him with your mighty power!
Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart." For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done." Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. (Nehemiah 6:8-9)
Holy Father, strengthen the hands of your faithful bishops, priests and deacons and the dioceses and parishes committed to their care. Set them free from fear and help them build up the congregations of your faithful people.
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you." And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!" Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. (Nehemiah 6:10-12)
Holy Spirit, show Bishop Bill and Bishop Mark the true motives of all those who come to them.
For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid. (Nehemiah 6:13-14)
Jesus, defeat the purposes of all those who utter false statements against your faithful people.
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. (Nehemiah 6:15-16)
Lord Jesus, rebuild the wall of your word around your faithful congregations and dioceses so that all falsehood will be kept out. Thank you.
A word received: Ask who I am calling you to encourage.
A word received: Place your hope in me.
Monday: 56, 57, [58] * 64, 65; Neh. 6:1-19 Rev. 10:1-11 Matthew 13:36-43
Tuesday: 61, 62 * 68:1-20(21-23)24-36; Neh. 12:27-31a,42b-47 Rev. 11:1-19 Matthew 13:44-52
Notes from the Front Line
***** Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011
From: Jeanne Gizara
Subject: Mudge Scripture Prayer
From Revelation 7:17...the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water...
Lord, thank You that you are shepherding Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge and leading them to springs of living water. May they be directed, empowered and refreshed by your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the missionary program that they are finishing up in California. We pray for safe travel for them and for a good meeting with SAMS on November 7. Be with Lydia as she continues to become adjusted to life in the U.S. and to college.
From Revelation 7:12 Praise and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!
Amen!
***** Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011
From: The Dock Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland http://www.thedockchurch.org/
Subject: TQ prayer update
Hi Dock pray-ers!
A long, LONG overdue update for you all - and as always, a massive thank-you for your prayers - they are so vital and so much appreciated.
It's been a whirl of a month in Dock-World - some really good stuff and some big challenges - so here are some prayer points for the next while!
1. Sorry to put this at the top of the list, but it would be hugely appreciated if you could pray for Susan's and my health. We've been struggling with health issues both big and small over the last while and both of us are feeling the strain a bit. All in God's good hands - but that doesn't stop us from praying for healing!
2. A big piece of Dock news - we have a prospective boat! A little team went over to Scotland last week to visit a boat that's for sale near Glasgow. As you know this was a big part of the vision from the very start, but we now need to proceed with lots of wisdom and guidance - there are surveys, cost estimates and such exciting things to be done before a final decision is made. But if this is the right boat, we pray that the practical details would sort out so that a beautiful, welcoming, attractive space for Christian witness would be floating in the Abercorn Basin as soon as possible!
3. Connected to that, with a boat comes a bill! We are currently going through the final paperwork hurdles to provide The Dock with charitable status, which will enable us to start fundraising towards the boat purchase. Again it's a very practical but very necessary detail of this work - so please pray that our applications fall on receptive ears, even in the current financial climate - and pray especially for Susan who will be co-ordinating the fundraising process.
4. And on the ministry side of things: Dock Walks and Meet The Neighbours events are still continuing as we seek to witness, worship and welcome in the Titanic Quarter. Please pray for many more chances to connect with the emerging community, and pray for the brave souls who are living, working and studying in the TQ as it approaches this big Titanic anniversary year.
5. Especially it would be great to pray that we find more ways to connect with young people in the area, particularly in the Metropolitan College and at the T13 skate park.
6. It would be great to have your prayer for the fantastic teams of people who now keep the Dock project 'afloat' (groan) - the Directors (Michele, Margaret, David, Hugh, Philip, Michael, Sarah) and the Management Team (ChrisH, ChrisB, Susan, Finian, Colin, Gordon, Joe)
7. It's been a massive blessing over the summer to be part of a chaplaincy team, along with Karen, rather than a 'lone ranger'. Please pray for Karen in all the work she does in Sydenham and at the TQ, pray for our continued unity, and for more churches, denominations and individuals to catch the vision and join the team...
Well I think that'll keep you praying for a while!
Thanks Prayer Warriors! Much love, Chris
PS please try to keep the evening of 15th November free in your diaries - we'll be holding a birthday party for the dock (2 already!) and sharing the vision for the next while - it would be great if you could be there!
Albany Intercessor
Lord Jesus Christ, rebuild the walls around your faithful dioceses and parishes so that the enemy may not get in.
that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner. (Nehemiah 6:2-4)
Holy Spirit, there is a time to speak and a time to remain silent. Show Bishop Bill Love and Bishop Mark Lawrence when it is time to meet and talk with those who oppose them and when it is time to refuse.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, "There is a king in Judah!" Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. (Nehemiah 6:5-7)
Just as with Nehemiah, so now with Bishop Mark Lawrence, false accusations are being leveled against him. Jesus, defend him with your mighty power!
Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart." For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done." Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. (Nehemiah 6:8-9)
Holy Father, strengthen the hands of your faithful bishops, priests and deacons and the dioceses and parishes committed to their care. Set them free from fear and help them build up the congregations of your faithful people.
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you." And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!" Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. (Nehemiah 6:10-12)
Holy Spirit, show Bishop Bill and Bishop Mark the true motives of all those who come to them.
For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid. (Nehemiah 6:13-14)
Jesus, defeat the purposes of all those who utter false statements against your faithful people.
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. (Nehemiah 6:15-16)
Lord Jesus, rebuild the wall of your word around your faithful congregations and dioceses so that all falsehood will be kept out. Thank you.
A word received: Ask who I am calling you to encourage.
A word received: Place your hope in me.
Monday: 56, 57, [58] * 64, 65; Neh. 6:1-19 Rev. 10:1-11 Matthew 13:36-43
Tuesday: 61, 62 * 68:1-20(21-23)24-36; Neh. 12:27-31a,42b-47 Rev. 11:1-19 Matthew 13:44-52
Notes from the Front Line
***** Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011
From: Jeanne Gizara
Subject: Mudge Scripture Prayer
From Revelation 7:17...the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water...
Lord, thank You that you are shepherding Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge and leading them to springs of living water. May they be directed, empowered and refreshed by your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the missionary program that they are finishing up in California. We pray for safe travel for them and for a good meeting with SAMS on November 7. Be with Lydia as she continues to become adjusted to life in the U.S. and to college.
From Revelation 7:12 Praise and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!
Amen!
***** Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011
From: The Dock Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland http://www.thedockchurch.org/
Subject: TQ prayer update
Hi Dock pray-ers!
A long, LONG overdue update for you all - and as always, a massive thank-you for your prayers - they are so vital and so much appreciated.
It's been a whirl of a month in Dock-World - some really good stuff and some big challenges - so here are some prayer points for the next while!
1. Sorry to put this at the top of the list, but it would be hugely appreciated if you could pray for Susan's and my health. We've been struggling with health issues both big and small over the last while and both of us are feeling the strain a bit. All in God's good hands - but that doesn't stop us from praying for healing!
2. A big piece of Dock news - we have a prospective boat! A little team went over to Scotland last week to visit a boat that's for sale near Glasgow. As you know this was a big part of the vision from the very start, but we now need to proceed with lots of wisdom and guidance - there are surveys, cost estimates and such exciting things to be done before a final decision is made. But if this is the right boat, we pray that the practical details would sort out so that a beautiful, welcoming, attractive space for Christian witness would be floating in the Abercorn Basin as soon as possible!
3. Connected to that, with a boat comes a bill! We are currently going through the final paperwork hurdles to provide The Dock with charitable status, which will enable us to start fundraising towards the boat purchase. Again it's a very practical but very necessary detail of this work - so please pray that our applications fall on receptive ears, even in the current financial climate - and pray especially for Susan who will be co-ordinating the fundraising process.
4. And on the ministry side of things: Dock Walks and Meet The Neighbours events are still continuing as we seek to witness, worship and welcome in the Titanic Quarter. Please pray for many more chances to connect with the emerging community, and pray for the brave souls who are living, working and studying in the TQ as it approaches this big Titanic anniversary year.
5. Especially it would be great to pray that we find more ways to connect with young people in the area, particularly in the Metropolitan College and at the T13 skate park.
6. It would be great to have your prayer for the fantastic teams of people who now keep the Dock project 'afloat' (groan) - the Directors (Michele, Margaret, David, Hugh, Philip, Michael, Sarah) and the Management Team (ChrisH, ChrisB, Susan, Finian, Colin, Gordon, Joe)
7. It's been a massive blessing over the summer to be part of a chaplaincy team, along with Karen, rather than a 'lone ranger'. Please pray for Karen in all the work she does in Sydenham and at the TQ, pray for our continued unity, and for more churches, denominations and individuals to catch the vision and join the team...
Well I think that'll keep you praying for a while!
Thanks Prayer Warriors! Much love, Chris
PS please try to keep the evening of 15th November free in your diaries - we'll be holding a birthday party for the dock (2 already!) and sharing the vision for the next while - it would be great if you could be there!
Albany Intercessor
