Prayer Sheet – Week Commencing 30th March

Churches 

All of the Churches in our Connexion need prayer during this time of uncertainty: for direction, strength, protection and for unity.  Please pray as you feel led – here is a list of our Churches for your information:

  • Bolton Circuit:  ChorleyNoble Street and Radcliffe.
  • Bristol CircuitStaple Hill and Warmley.
  • Blackpool AreaBlackpool
  • Burnley AreaCliviger
  • Croxton Circuit : Croxton
  • Leigh CircuitAstleyAthertonCroft, CulchethLeigh Kirkhall Lane, Leigh Mill Lane, LowtonMoorside, Roe Green and Tyldesley.
  • Liverpool CircuitCrosby, Haydock, Liverpool Long Lane, Ramsey Isle of Man, St. Helens Sutton Village and St Helens Thatto Heath.
  • Medlock ValleyFailsworth
  • Nelson AreaNelson
  • North East CircuitBank Head, Boldon, Brandon Murray, Easington Lane, Grindon Bethany Memorial, Hebburn, Hetton-le-Hole, Murton, New Delaval, New Silksworth, Ryhope, Seaham Enfield Rd., Seaham Stanley St., South Hetton, South Hylton, Spennymoor Jubilee Spennymoor Mount Pleasant and Sunderland Bethel Christian Fellowship.
  • Pendle CircuitBarnoldswick and Bethel Colne.
  • Skelmersdale AreaSkelmersdale
  • Trafford, ManchesterTrafford Christian Life Centre
  • Warrington CircuitAppleton, Grappenhall, Lymm, Risley, Stockton Heath, Warrington Buckley Street, Warrington Friars Green and Warrington Kent Street.
  • Wigan CircuitBryn, Downall Green, Hindley, Ince, Lamberhead Green, Newtown, Pemberton, Spring View, Stubshaw Cross and Westwood.
  • Yorkshire CircuitBingley and Dewsbury.

Prayer from the National Council of Churches in Australia 

Gracious God, we give thanks anew for your providence and presence.  We prayerfully seek your grace, amidst COVID-19 here and overseas.  We pray for those in need of healing.  We pray for your peace with those who are anxious or grieving.  We pray you will continue to strengthen and sustain all those who are serving in response.  We pray for your Holy Spirit’s discernment amidst the many choices and decisions facing our national, community and medical leaders.  We pray we each might see quickly what more we can do to help those who are vulnerable.  This prayer for our nation in the family of nations, with all that is on our hearts, we gather now and pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

From Bill Hampson – Ecumenical Officer  

  • For Debbie, Dilshan and all at Child Action Lanka who are providing hundreds of ‘dry rations’ food packs for families who are now out of work with no money and little food.
  • For the Pakistani family John & Tehmina and their daughters Minuale & Angelina who are now safe in Sri Lanka.

From Enfield Rd, Seaham 

  • For David Talbot, he’s the chaplain at the Seafarers, Seaham.  David has had two strokes and we would appreciate prayers for David, his wife June, his family and his church family.

For all NHS staff and particularly from Lowton Church:

  • For Sheilah and Nevimbo – Sheilah is working shifts at Wythenshawe Hospital.
  • For Tim & Eilish – Eilish is a nurse and has been sent home from hospital to self-isolate.  Thankfully, her symptoms are mild. 
  • (Please send details of any staff you know with specific prayer needs.)

For all families with children who are now at home. 

  • For children for whom home is not a safe place.  Ask God to wrap His arms around them and keep them safe.
  • For charities and agencies who are working tirelessly in Foodbanks and centres to provide food for those in need and particularly to provide meals for children.

Don’t forget the prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon your world…” being prayed around the world at 10 – 10.15pm each night, from last week.  It’s so encouraging that a never-ending prayer chain has been formed around the world.  

Don’t worry about anything: on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.   (Philippians 4:6,7 The Complete Jewish Study Bible)

Good News! 

From Bill Hampson, Epiphany Trust 

  • Morris Johns, who acts as secretary to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pakistan, contacted me about a Christian family of Pakistani asylum seekers who were literally starving in Sri Lanka, having left Pakistan because of religious persecution.  Morris had been alerted by to the situation by family members in Pakistan.   Sri Lanka is on total lockdown because of the virus but there was scheduled to be a 6 hour ‘window’ this morning to enable people to buy food, but it was cancelled until next Tuesday.  We were, however, able to locate the family and Debbie from Child Action Lanka applied for and got an emergency permit to deliver essentials.  They had absolutely nothing, now they have been supplied with enough food for the next two weeks and gas for their stove. 
  • John and Tehmina Adnan and their two daughters Minuale 6 and Angelina 4 are living in Negombo, the town where churches suffered the bombings last Easter.  Debbie and Dilshan have many contacts there’s no problem helping them in the future. 

From the NE Circuit  

  • A number of churches have been using WhatsApp groups to keep in touch with congregation and friends of the Fellowships which are working very well. 
  • Several Fellowships are experimenting with Zoom for their services and meetings.  One Fellowship had almost the same number of folk at the zoom service as would be in attendance at their usual meeting service.  Some Fellowships have been able to continue the majority of their church programme in this way.  There are a number of technophobes up in the NE and they have got on board to assist which is very encouraging. 
  • One Fellowship shared with their Children’s Club on Sunday morning via WhatsApp video.  They obtained permission from all the parents prior to the event.  The children enjoyed sharing what they had been doing and it helped them know they were not alone. 
  • Many Fellowships have sent out portions of scripture, bible study notes and pictures.  There is also a Circuit weekly devotional which is produced by Shaun (Circuit President) and circulated to all the circuit churches. 
  • Even Fellowships with small numbers and elderly congregations have been able to share with phone and email among their congregation and friends. 
  • Ramsey (Isle of Man) are also looking at ways to connect with their congregation and they have posted their service online.  Interestingly, they have discovered that folk are watching their service who wouldn’t normally attend their worship service.  God uses all that we offer to Him – often in quite unexpected ways – when our motivation is right and we seek to glorify His name alone. 
  • These are tremendous testimonies of what God is doing among His people and the way technology can be used to bring people together and share the Gospel when there is a desire to listen to God and respond in obedience.