SUMMER 2018
PRAYER DIARY
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN: REJOICE! PHILIPPIANS 4:4
SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES OF CPAS THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAYER.
NOW AN ANGEL OF THE LORD SAID TO PHILIP, ‘GO SOUTH TO THE ROAD – THE DESERT ROAD.’
We value your prayers and support greatly. This diary is designed to guide your prayers across the breadth of our work, offering a weekly theme, prayer points and a Bible verse to aid daily or weekly prayer.
ACTS 8:26
CPAS Sovereign Court One (Unit 3), Sir William Lyons Road, University of Warwick Science Park, COVENTRY CV4 7EZ A company limited by guarantee Registered in England no 2673220 Registered charity no 1007820 Registered office at address above
www.cpas.org.uk @cpasnews /cpasnews
Editor: Hazel Lancefield Design: Catherine Jackson All Bible quotations taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated. Copyright CPAS 2018. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for the reproduction of text from this publication for CPAS promotional use only. For all other uses, please contact us. This publication is printed on paper from farmed forests: for each tree felled, another is planted. The paper is chlorinefree and environmentally friendly.
Daily prayer points from CPAS are also available through the PrayerMate app on iOS and Android devices. Visit www.geero.net/prayermate or search in the App Store.
DESERT PLACES recently preached on the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8) and was struck by Philip’s willingness to go where God sent him – even to the ‘desert place’ (8:26, ESV).
Roman leaders. Newton was a slave trader before conversion. In our own time C. S. Lewis described himself as a ‘reluctant convert’ and Charles Colson came to faith out of the illegalities of Watergate.
The desert was a risky place to go to – with searing heat, scorpions, snakes and the threat of bandits and robbers. But it was also an unlikely place to be sent to share the gospel. Surely, the places for gospel witness were the villages and towns – that’s where the people were!
So as you use this Prayer Diary, can I invite you to believe that God can work in any parish, any church, any street, any heart – throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. Although some places have always felt like ‘hard work’ for the gospel, no place is condemned to be a desert when God’s Spirit is at large.
I
This wasn’t the first time Philip had found himself in an unlikely place for gospel witness. And will you pray especially that God will give the clergy and lay leaders in this diary a In Acts 8:5 we read that Philip found himself ‘Philip-shaped faith’ to believe that God can in Samaria as a result of persecution, a work wherever they are serving? people and place despised by Jews. And yet here – we are told – his hearers ‘accepted the Thank you for praying with us and for our holidays, patronage churches and the leaders word of God’ (Acts 8:14). we work with. On their behalf, can I express The encouragement of this for us is that there our never-failing gratitude for your support. is no place (or person) where God’s convicting Yours in Christ, word cannot reach. There is no heart so dry that the water of his Spirit cannot bring life. If the Ethiopian man on a desert journey and the Samaritans could respond to the word of God, then so can anyone. Church history has proved this again and again. Augustine was an unlikely convert in his early 30s. Constantine only came to faith in the midst of political adversity between
John Dunnett General Director
www.cpas.org.uk info@cpas.org.uk
0300 123 0780
This year we’ve created a handy prayer calendar to enable you to pray throughout the summer as around 80 Ventures and Falcons take place over the next five weeks.
SUMMER’S HERE! CALENDAR COVERS 22 JULY-25 AUGUST
Ventures and Falcons are holidays for 8-18s, run by our lovely volunteers who dedicate a week (or two!) of their summer to disciple young people and enable the holidays to take place. Each holiday involves a variety of exciting activities, lots of fun, laughter and space to encounter God. Turn to the prayer calendar now to lift this summer season to God in prayer!
Didn’t receive a calendar? Email comms@cpas.org.uk or phone 0300 123 0780 to get your FREE copy.
LEADERSHIP
26 AUGUST – 1 SEPTEMBER
Evangelism and Intercession
THEN JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES A PARABLE TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY SHOULD ALWAYS PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP. LUKE 18:1
t was Charles Spurgeon who suggested that prayer is the ‘powerhouse of the Church’. Building on the historic connection between intercessory prayer and revival in the UK, CPAS has been conducting some research on the patterns of intercessory prayer in local churches.
I
Eighty percent of the church leaders surveyed considered prayer to be one of the values of their church, but reported that only 30% of their congregations actively engaged in regular corporate intercession. This suggests a need to see corporate intercession revitalised in the life of many parishes. CPAS has been running ‘Leading a Praying Church’ training days which seek to equip church leaders to foster a healthy culture of intercession in their churches. Please join us in praying for those who pray – that they would not tire of lifting up others in prayer that they might come to know Jesus.
For your prayers: Sun 26: St Andrew’s Furnace Green: Richard Poole as he leads this CPAS patronage church, which is seeking to break ground in new areas. Mon 27: Evangelism and intercession: For those who attend the ‘Leading a Praying Church’ events to promote a culture of prayer in their churches. Tue 28: Evangelism and intercession: Intercessory prayer can quickly become formulaic, with midweek prayer meetings lacking in innovation. Pray for creativity and new ideas in local churches. Wed 29: Evangelism and intercession: Throughout history we’ve seen a clear link between intercession for the lost and seeing God bring revival. Pray for ‘mustard seed’ faith that would inspire prayer for big things. Thu 30: Evangelism and intercession: For God’s Spirit to stir people and churches to pray, and for church leaders to inspire others as to the role and necessity of prayer. Fri 31: Evangelism and intercession: Initiatives such as ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ have helped to put prayer back on the agenda for many. Pray for movements like this to galvanise prayer. Sat 1: Wales: The Church in Wales has set aside a £10 million evangelism fund. Give thanks for this bold move and pray for wise and effective use of this. 05
2-8 SEPTEMBER
PATRONAGE CHURCHES Gorleston St Andrew (Norwich)
NOW THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE: THAT THEY KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM YOU HAVE SENT. JOHN 17:3
‘
o know Jesus better and to make Jesus better known’ is what St Andrew’s Gorleston on the Norfolk coast is all about. Vicar Brian Hall asks:
T
‘Please join us in giving thanks for the many gifted and committed Christians at St Andrew’s and for our Messy Church, which has seen growth in spiritual awareness and numbers. We are currently looking to build on our existing discipleship groups, extend our ministry to children and young people and experiment more with Fresh Expressions of church. ‘We’d also love to develop more links with the community (in partnership with other churches) and give more attention to pastoral care as well as review our baptism, wedding and funeral follow up. Lots to pray for!’ 06
For your prayers: Sun 2: Gorleston: The church is teaching on the person and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Pray this leads to them growing stronger in the Lord. Mon 3: Ireland: The development and implementation of ordained local ministry training this autumn through four regional hubs. Tue 4: Gorleston: For the church to put Christ at the centre of all they do as they seek to be relevant to people of different ages and backgrounds. Wed 5: Leadership: The CPAS ministry staff meeting today to review, plan and pray (Graham Archer, Charles Burgess, John Coyne, John Dunnett, John Fisher, Tim Friend, James Lawrence, Pam Macnaughton, Ian Parkinson, Emma Sykes). Thu 6: Scotland: The Church of Scotland as it considers financial and ministerial provision. With a declining number of clergy, pray for God’s hand over possible changes to parish structures such as moving to more multi-parish benefice and team ministry models. Fri 7: Gorleston: The church’s work with youth and children. Praise God for the success of Messy Church and pray for new ideas and opportunities. Sat 8: Gorleston: Links with the community, including pastoral care and occasional offices. Pray also for strong partnerships with other local churches.
PATRONAGE
9-15 SEPTEMBER
Advertising and Shortlisting
eptember is a busy time for us in the patronage team as several vacant churches advertise for their next incumbent ahead of the trustees’ shortlisting meeting at the end of the month. Holding this part of the appointment process in prayer is so important for all involved and is much appreciated.
‘
For your prayers:
S
Sun 9: Patronage churches: St Andrew’s Bebington (Chester) where Ian Parkinson is preaching this morning. Praise God for this faithful church and their generous support for CPAS.
‘Fundamentally, the appointment process is about discerning where God is leading both individuals and churches for the next phase of ministry. At the advertising and shortlisting stage, the focus is on attracting interest from a good number of strong candidates, and then discerning who to invite to interview. ‘Please join us in praying that the right people will see the right job adverts and be prompted to apply, and for wisdom for the trustees as they consider candidates in partnership with the diocese and parish.’ John Fisher, Patronage Secretary
FOR THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
Mon 10: Advertising and shortlisting: All the patronage churches currently advertising for their next vicar, including St Peter’s Farnborough (pictured below). Tue 11: Advertising and shortlisting: Parish reps, who carry lots of local responsibility for the process when recruiting a vicar. Pray they are encouraged at this stage by great applications. Wed 12: Wales: As the governing body of the Church in Wales meets in Lampeter, pray for the Archbishop and all the members as they make decisions affecting the Church’s life and work. Thu 13: Advertising and shortlisting: For God to use CPAS to bring a wider perspective to the process and be a strong evangelical voice. Fri 14: Advertising and shortlisting: Jobs are currently being advertised in several places (CPAS and diocesan websites, Pathways and the Church press). Pray the right people will see them and apply. Sat 15: Advertising and shortlisting: The 80+ patronages churches currently at various stages in the vacancy process, from the moment when the previous incumbent announces they are leaving until the licensing of their new incumbent.
ROMANS 8:14 St Peter’s Farnborough
Image by Lewis Hulbert [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
07
16-22 SEPTEMBER
LEADERSHIP Theological Education BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE AFRAID… FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU. DEUTERONOMY 31:6
For your prayers: Sun 16: Theological education: Ask God to excite all ordinands about the prospect of engaging in missional leadership.
‘
t’s a real privilege to be part of the formation of the next generation of church leaders, helping them discover more about their role to equip and empower all of God’s people for mission and ministry.
I
‘The challenges facing the Church – including increased spiritual illiteracy and being more at odds with the moral values of the prevailing culture – mean we need leaders who will be courageous and equipped to teach the faith well. ‘Part of my role when teaching is to give ordinands hope and a sense of possibility about what God might be calling them to do as leaders, inspiring them to improvise afresh in ways that will bring new life to existing churches and see new churches planted.’ Ian Parkinson, Leadership Specialist
08
Mon 17: Theological education: Ian teaches a session on ‘Leadership in the Christian Tradition’ at St Mellitus in London today. Tue 18: Leadership: In Truro diocese today, leadership consultant Sandra Cobbin is delivering training to clergy on behalf of CPAS. The topic is leading in conflict. Wed 19: CPAS: Ahead of the CPAS trustees’ meeting tomorrow, pray for good discussions and wise decisions. Thu 20: Theological education: Second year students at Trinity Bristol begin the School of Leadership today, which runs throughout the year. The first topic is leadership and power. Fri 21: Leadership: The Worcester diocese Calling Young Disciples learning community is meeting tonight and tomorrow to explore how they can best develop children, young people and adults as leaders in their churches. Sat 22: Theological education: Ian as he undertakes research and writing for a new book. Pray God would use him to create something which equips many leaders in mission.
IT’S YOUR CALL VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR 18-30 YEAR OLDS
This lively, interactive weekend is for 18-30 year olds who are wondering what God wants to do with their lives. Whether it’s to lead in a church, pioneer something new, transform a community or something else, this weekend is a chance to connect with God, connect with others, and connect with God’s call in their life.
Birmingham
2-4 November
Find out more at www.cpas.org.uk/itsyourcall
23-29 SEPTEMBER
VOCATIONS Teenagers Exploring Call
For your prayers: DON’T LET ANYONE LOOK DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG, BUT SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVERS IN SPEECH, IN CONDUCT, IN LOVE, IN FAITH AND IN PURITY. 1 TIMOTHY 4:12
t’s in the teenage years that we start having to make big life choices: Which GCSEs shall I take? What sort of job might I like to do? It’s a time of discovery, learning what we are good at and exploring our passions and interests. It’s also a fragile time for some, as they are becoming more independent, forming their identity and making sense of the world and their place within it.
‘
I
‘With all this going on, it is an ideal time to help teenagers understand all of this in relation to what God is calling them to as disciples of Jesus. ‘My role is all about encouraging young people to see it as normal to be discerning and expecting God to have a call on their life. It’s about seeing this as part of discipleship rather than a separate add on, and making sure this forms part of the conversations youth workers, church leaders and others are having with teenagers.’ Emma Sykes, Leadership Specialist
10
Sun 23: Teenagers exploring call: For any Christian teenagers you know. Pray they have the courage they need to step out in faith into the places that God is calling them. Mon 24: Teenagers exploring call: Those in smaller churches where there are not many young people. Pray they will have good peer support around them and find mentors (both formal and informal) that will help them along the journey. Tue 25: Ireland: An increasing number of churches are developing church plants, especially in Southern Ireland. Pray for a missional heart for those who lead them. Wed 26: Teenagers exploring call: For young people who want to explore careers outside of church to be just as much supported, encouraged and prayed for as those pursuing church roles. Thu 27: Teenagers exploring call: For Emma’s work with diocesan youth advisors and young vocations champions. May these partnerships lead to many teenagers in local churches seeking God’s will for their lives. Fri 28: Teenagers exploring call: CPAS’ resources to be widely used, including Talk Calling (a set of creative cards to start conversations about call), Growing Leaders – Youth Edition and vocations workshops on Ventures. Sat 29: Growing Leaders: A new course starts today for lay leaders in Bristol diocese, led by Charles Burgess.
LEADERSHIP
30 SEPTEMBER -6 OCTOBER
Setting God’s People Free
etting God’s People Free’ is a recent report from the Archbishops’ Council recommending a programme of change to enable the whole people of God to live out the good news of Jesus confidently in all of life, Monday to Saturday as well as Sunday. ‘
S
Recognising that 98% of people in the Church of England are not ordained and spend 95% of their lives out in society, the focus of the report is on ensuring that what churches do when they are gathered nurtures every person for their role when they are sent.* With many dioceses seeking practical ways to respond to this, CPAS is exploring how we can help them to equip their clergy to lead churches forward in whole-life discipleship. Please pray for us as we have these important conversations with dioceses and review and develop our offering in light of this pivotal report. *Adapted from ‘Setting God’s People Free’ Summary Version, The Archbishops’ Council
JESUS SAID, ‘PEACE BE WITH YOU! AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, I AM SENDING YOU.’ JOHN 20:21
For your prayers: Sun 30: Setting God’s People Free: For every diocese to embrace the findings of the report and seek new and better ways to equip lay people to live out their faith in their daily lives. Mon 1: Setting God’s People Free: Christians who see their faith as confined to a Sunday morning. Ask God to reveal his purposes to them in their Monday-Saturday lives. Tue 2: Ireland: Connor diocesan synod, taking place tomorrow in Carrickfergus. Pray for Bishop Alan Abernethy (chair) and all the parish representatives to be encouraged in mission. Wed 3: Leadership: The monthly Lead On email is being sent to over 5,000 leaders today, with the main article on ‘Calling Young People’. Pray this is helpful and inspiring. Thu 4: Leadership: General Director John Dunnett is in Ware (St Albans diocese) today leading training on ‘Shaping the Culture of Local Churches’ for church leaders. Fri 5: Setting God’s People Free: For God to work through CPAS’ existing resources designed to equip lay people, including Growing Leaders, Mentoring Matters and DiscipleKit. Sat 6: Setting God’s People Free: CPAS’ partnerships with dioceses. Pray God will be in the many conversations taking place about how CPAS can best support dioceses in responding to the Archbishops’ challenge. 11
7-13 OCTOBER
VENTURES AND FALCONS School Ventures
Schools: Jesus, we praise you for the TUE 9 enthusiasm of the 20 schools who have sent pupils and teachers on School Ventures so far. We ask that more schools would want to get involved and for any barriers to Christianity to be broken down.
The Children: Lord God, please bless SUN 7 the 395 8-10 year olds who have been on School Ventures so far. We pray you will continue to speak in their lives. We pray also for the 80 pupils preparing to go on the next two holidays on the Wirral in the coming weeks. Teaching Programme: Holy Spirit, MON 8 speak through the teaching programme as the children hear about Jesus’ resurrection and God’s redemption. We ask that they will not only engage with the story, but see it as real and relevant to their lives today and respond to it.
06 12
Local Churches: Lord, please use the WED 10 many churches linked with Church of England schools to lead thousands of children to a life-long, deep faith in Christ. Please prompt more children’s leaders to volunteer so that there are strong links between Ventures and local churches.
What are School Ventures? School Ventures are residentials for pupils at Church of England primary schools of all faiths and none. Dioceses: We thank you for the many THU 11 fruitful partnerships between CPAS and dioceses which are instrumental to the growth of School Ventures. Please help us build links with at least four more dioceses this year, in addition to the four we are already working with. Overall Leaders: Almighty God, please work powerfully through the overall leaders of the residentials as they lead their teams in reaching youngsters with your love. We pray especially for Kat Taylor, Andrew Field-Davies, Missy Johnson and Tabby Heathcote who are leading School Ventures this autumn term for the first time. FRI 12
They aim to provide children with an opportunity to explore the claims of the Christian faith and inform their own conclusions within the context of a fun, engaging and safe residential, as well as connect them with local churches. Since launching in 2016, CPAS (in partnership with dioceses, local churches and schools) has run eight School Ventures with a total of 395 children and their teachers.
Growth: Father, we praise you that SAT 13 School Ventures are growing year-on-year. We pray for Tanya Pengelly, the newly appointed School Ventures Co-ordinator, and the office team as they seek to double the number of residentials this academic year.
07 13
14-20 OCTOBER
PATRONAGE CHURCHES Rawtenstall and Constable Lee (Manchester)
ying in in the Rossendale valley of East Lancashire, St Paul’s Constable Lee and St Mary’s Rawtenstall are seeking to reach their local community in a variety of ways, including newly launched toddler groups, outreach into the nearby nursing home and a growing relationship with St Paul’s primary school, which is at the heart of their vision for the future.
L
Looking ahead, St Paul’s is also endeavouring to use the church building as a community centre. Vicar Chris Casey has been on a number of CPAS events and has recently used our PCC Tonight resource. Chris said: ‘The CPAS training events on leading a praying church and turning vision into action were a great blessing, and helped us refocus on prayer. We’ve also found PCC Tonight very useful in helping the PCCs to work in a way which is healthier and more deliberate.’
For your prayers: Sun 14: Rawtenstall and Constable Lee: St Paul’s plans to launch their church hall as a community centre. Ask God to use this for his purposes in the local community. Mon 15: Rawtenstall and Constable Lee: The parish is joining with a third church (St Mary and All Saints, Goodshaw). Pray for great relationships across this new benefice. Tue 16: Rawtenstall and Constable Lee: The relationship with St Paul’s and St Mary’s church schools. Pray the church can build effective bridges for the gospel. Wed 17: Scotland: As Dr Gregor Duncan retires as the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway this month, pray for the appointment of a new bishop to advocate and defend the gospel. Thu 18: Rawtenstall and Constable Lee: St Mary’s and St Paul’s recently launched parent and toddler groups (Tiddlers and Sweet Peas). Pray these groups bless all the families involved and point them to Jesus. Fri 19: Rawtenstall and Constable Lee: St Paul’s monthly afternoon tea event offering ‘friendship and fellowship with delicious cakes and goodies!’ Praise God this has brought new people into the church’s orbit.
I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU; I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND. ISAIAH 41:10
14
Sat 20: Rawtenstall and Constable Lee: For the hopeful, forward-looking feel of the churches at the moment to lead to growth.
GIVING TO CPAS Our ministry helping local churches share the gospel with the communities around them is only possible because of the generous gifts of churches and individuals like you. Thank you for your support.
Ways to Give Personal donations
You can give one-off or regular gifts to CPAS in a variety of ways. Make a donation online, send a cheque through the post or contact our Finance team on the details below to make a donation over the phone or request a Standing Order form.
Church giving
Whether your local church serves a village, town or city, by supporting our ministry as a church you are contributing towards mission-enabling work across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Please visit our website or call us to find out more.
‘I didn’t believe that Jesus rose and now I do.’ School Venture pupil
Legacies
Leaving a legacy to CPAS is a fantastic way to help us continue enabling churches to help every person hear and discover the good news of Jesus Christ. Find out more online or contact us on the details below.
www.cpas.org.uk /donate
CPAS, Sovereign Court One (Unit 3), Sir William Lyons Road, University of Warwick Science Park, COVENTRY CV4 7EZ 0300 123 0780 supporter.relations@cpas.org.uk
AUTUMN TRAINING EVENTS
LEADERSHIP SCHOOL Sale (near Manchester) 19 September
SHAPING THE CULTURE OF LOCAL CHURCHES Ware (Hertfordshire) 4 October
MOVING ON For clergy considering a move Coventry 18 October
IT’S YOUR CALL Vocations weekend for 18-30 year olds Birmingham 2-4 November
THE BUCK STOPS HERE For new incumbents Malvern 27-29 November We also have a number of other events coming up, including PCC Tonight training evenings.
Find out more at www.cpas.org.uk/events