Thoughts and Inspirations from Day of Prayer and Fast 2009

Some of the sharing were personal reflections, but these are the ones we feel are words for the church. If you have a word which you believe God wants you to share but you could not share it on the night, do tell Derek or Derath. Please continue to pray over these, read the passages and tell Derek or Derath if you believe some have a particular relevance to the church’s life and mission

DJS - Ps 66 ascribe greatness to god, and then we can face whatever we are called to face, and then share with each other what god has done. God tries us as silver - God tests us, don't expect it to be easy, but purpose is to bring us out to a spacious place. And god listens.

Helen - Ps 107: 1-9 and Phil 1:

Denise - Proverbs 31:8 - defend the rights of the poor and needy. Plus faith isn't useful until used 

Michael (via Denise) - Prov 24: 3-4. By wisdom a house is built ....wisdom, understanding and knowledge

Gill - Gen 47 - Joseph and famine...about God’s provision is not necessarily from who we expect - came from Pharaoh.

Sheila - need to forward in faith but not blindly and not backwards as that is what faith is. Olive trees growing even in drought

Alice - this is the air we breathe - takes us back to the simplicity of the gospel. Also city set on a hill - going forward in faith by staying and shining. Also Philippians 1.

Jacob - Ps 85:8 speak peace to his people who. Turn to god with our hearts.

Margaret - Matthew - not to let others see what we are doing               

Peggy - Quince and Quince twig with thorns on - painful things but coming to faithfulness

Maxine - peaceful, calm, something is happening and its good but it’s in the early stages and it is still coming towards us

Jill - peaceful - James 4 - submit yourselves...

Derath - picture of three or four young children - playing and planting crocci, and they came into say they hadn't grown, but adults went to look and it was both autumn and spring and when the leaves were cleared the shoots were already growing                             

Patience - Mature ones can see it

Daphne - Dream. I was in a large old church workmen all over the place so it was noisy. I just had to find a bible and praise God. Ps 150 on my mind. Derek was sitt8ing in one of the pews and I asked for the bible but he couldn’t find one. I told Derek if he wasn’t able to read then I would! There were not many people where we were so we moved to another part of the church. Suddenly many people crowded round us. At this point I woke up!

About 2 or 3 days after the fasting meeting that was held at St Paul 's a few months ago, Isabelle Hall spent some time with the Lord, specifically praying in this area.
 
Upon reading Ps67, particularly vs3-5
 '' May the nations praise You, O God,
   Yes, may all the nations praise You,
   How glad the nations will be singing for joy
   Because You govern them with justice
   And direct the actions of the whole world.
   May the nations praise you, O God,
   Yes, may the nations praisse you''  (NLT) 
I felt that the word 'nations' in the above verses needed to be replaced by 'St Pauls'.  I aslo felt that God had a message for St Pauls to put aside our demands, requests, prayers and to thank God for what has happened in the last 10 years or so (blessings, people being converted, miracles, growth..) without asking or expecting  anything back in return.     
I had an impression of celebration/rejoicing : (songs of praise,  gifts (i.e money donation for the needy, flowers, candles...) and the thought of David dancing in front of the Ark came to mind. I visualised a big board with the words ''Thank you God for ...'' in the middle surrounded by sentences from people. I personlly think it would be a good idea to have a 'Thank God day or week'. As well as pleasing to our Lord, it will help reaise awareness of the importance of praise.

Return to Prayer and Fast Page