24/7 Videos: Economy in Crisis

Firstly - wonder of wonders - my car passed it's MOT today - I've never known this happen before - thank you Lord!!!

Ian Nicholsan was at the 24/7 UK Network Day in Guildford. He's ace. And full of amazing stories. He spoke of his recent trip to the Glasnost community in Macedonia, hooking up with the Bower's and the Evans', who have recently sold everything and driven their to live and help nurture the 24/7 bioler room community out there. You can learn more by reading the latest 24/7 article here.

Today we have another 'prayercast' - which is most excellent and I really encourage you to pray and keep praying for our nation and the nations in Europe. The time is now. The site says "Europe has been rocked by the global economic crisis. Fear has gripped nations and markets and the impact is felt in every sphere of society. How can the church pray during this time of instability? Ian Nicholson from Skopje, Macedonia leads todays 24-7 PrayerCast about the after affects of the crisis."

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day four...the end?

Our little prayer room beside the car park was brought to a moving close yesterday evening. Once again, the day had been packed with load of students and staff coming into pray, chat and chill out. We probably had the most people through, and walking round the different stations at the end of the day, it was simply staggering reading the honesty and openness in the prayers, and moving to say amen to them. ‘May these prayers be like sweet smelling incense to your heart, O God’

We started the day in the staff room today, chatting with staff and looking back over the week. We were so excited about what the day had in store. An excellent chat with the Head master, he just blew me away with his enthusiasm for what we were doing and the difference that he could see in the school already. He said it was the “archetypal multi sensory experience”. Ha ha. Hearing his passion to ground faith in the students’ lives was inspiring though, and we were soon talking about plans to build another meeting room elsewhere in the school, so that the room we’d been using could stay as a permanent ‘chapel’ or ‘prayer room’…it was one of those jaw dropping moments to hear this come from the head himself.

Rushing back we opened the prayer room for the 8.30am tutor group slot for the day. About 15 students and their tutor came in, and after a quick tour and welcome, we all got praying. “Do I just take a bit of bread then?” one boy had moved away from the class and was asking Chris about our communion table. The two of them talked about it, prayed and had communion together. A really peaceful time. God was in our midst.

Break time came and so did Bishop John, he’d come to show support from the diocese to the school what with all the negative press of recent weeks. It was so good to have him along and enjoy the prayer room, have some photos taken with the students and chat about what was happening. This guy is so crazily busy but always gives his utmost support for things we’re trying to do. Three girls were sat in our (one-at-a-time) 'mirror' zone so Chris hurried over to call them out and to stop messing around. he was about to speak when he heard them quietly praying together and all saying a long aaaamen. we let them carry on.

And, we felt the Lord inspired us concerning the recent articles in the local newspaper. ‘What would be the best response to such things?’ well, invite them to prayer room of course! And so we did! And so they came! Many of the staff didn’t think they’d turn up, but amazingly they turned up during lunch. We welcomed them, took them round the prayer room and introduced them to some of our regulars. They took photos, took quotes from some awesome prayers and went away thanking us for the invitation!

For me, and for the school, the significance of this is huge. The upside down ways of the kingdom of heaven were truly revealed. Where else would a school, victim to an almost systematic receipt of negative press actually invite the same paper to bless them with a prayer? So incredible! The story gets printed tomorrow, so I’ll paste a link all being well.

The lunch session was amazing for many reasons. With various visitors throughout the day, we were most nervous about how hectic it might get, especially because it was the last opportunity for most students to come in and use the prayer room. We were concerned about a few individuals who may come just to mess things up, but the last thing we wanted to do was to say to ‘you’re unwelcome’. We committed to welcome everybody, no matter what. So, we prayed about it. We prayed the Lord would only bring those who were really up for encountering him, and if any kids came to mess around then they would have a miraculous encounter with him. And, to our huge surprise, none of them came. We still had loads of kids come through, but it was the most peaceful time we’ve had. It was great to have Clare with us today as well, who had some brilliant conversations; replying to things like “so why did Jesus come”. The student who’d had communion in the morning came back, and I had a long conversation with him outside about his sister who’d run away this week. I won’t go into it here, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget that kids face. His story was really moving, and one of many that the students go through here – stuff that no young person should have to face.

This prayer room has had an impact on many of those kids. And time and time again, both students and staff kept saying that they didn’t want the room to close. By the end of the day we’d had the Head, both deputy heads and the finance officer come in to the room and say “you need a permanent space for this”, and “this is the best room in the school, and I like having meetings in here – but I prefer it like this”. I’ve just heard on the phone that even today they’re dreaming up ways to see this continue.

Chris the chaplain said to me “God has blessed us so richly this week that we can bearly begin to count the blessings. This week has revolutionised and redefined where we are at as a Church of England school”…

Once school had ended, we threw a big children’s party for the staff. Iced ring biscuits, pink panther wafers, fairy cakes, pop, balloons; the lot. Many came in and read the prayers of the week, some added prayers. I was surprised at how thankful everyone was for putting up a simple prayer room. Lots of laughs and celebration, many people amazed at the prayers they read, amazed at the difference in particular students.

And so, we come to the end of an amazing week, but definitely not the end of the prayer room at the school. On Monday, I had no idea what the week would be like, I didn’t even know how our assembly would go. And now, looking forward, I have no idea how it will continue. Having had at least half of the whole school through the prayer room, I’m staggered at how this has been welcomed. But hearing what the students and staff are saying, something will certainly emerge. Something to nurture prayer at the heart of the school community, at the heart of students living life in and out of school, something of the heart of God for these people.

I’m really excited for this place. Thank you Lord for what you are doing. May your Kingdom come, and will be done.

Amen.

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day three...

A hectic day. we had a little trouble this afternoon with a few rowdy kids. In fact, we’ve had a few rowdy kids throughout the day. a couple of boys pulled down a curtain and we’ve had a few rude post-its on the prayer wall. Nothing too serious though, and apart from that, it’s been a brilliant and busy day…

We started this morning up in the staff room for a tutors briefing, Chris shared some thoughts about forgiveness and loving the unlovely ‘that they might lovely be”, with reference to some of the negative press and a couple of difficult situations here recently.

Back to the prayer room for tutor group time. this was really good, but there was a noticeable difference with these students. These guys hadn’t chosen to come here, they were brought here by their tutor, and it was clear from the start that they felt dragged along. However, I tried to speak excitedly about the zones and introduced them to the prayer room, and once they got going, it was actually a really beneficial time.

Great to see Dan, Rich, Nicki come and visit. Was good to chat with Rich and Nicki from the Bizz about how this could all develop. Then we had an RE lesson come in. Again, the feeling amongst the kids was definitely one of resistance at first. A few of them gave us some trouble throughout, although they ended up writing stuff like “thank you God for everything you’ve done for me and my family, you are everything to me…”! One girl was really hard work, but there we go.

At break we had a couple of girls come in and it was just the two of them for ages. We started chatting and one girl was worried about someone in their family, we all prayed together for her healing. We had just long enough before a little motly crew came in. The girl who yesterday said ‘God knows where to find me if he wants me, he just has to come down’ was fairly chatty again today. God is really at work here I think. “I don’t know why I’m even here. I don’t know why I even stepped into this room” she said today.
“Well, why did you come?”
“I dunno, I didn’t wand to be left outside on my own”. At this, her group of friends turned round to her and snapped “you what?! It was you who brought us here!”…

Yesterday we had this one student in that had been told whilst getting ready for school that his Nan had died the night before, yet he was still sent school. Distraught, Chris brought him to the prayer room, he was able to calm down, Chris prayed for him and he added “Nan x”. He was back in school today and turned up at lunch time and spent quite a while in here chilling out, writing some prayers on the prayer wall.

A member of staff came in to take some photos as well. On being asked to do this she swore quite strongly, but on entering the room she said “wow”. She went on to echo many of the students’ and staff responses that “this should be here all the time”. It looks as though this week will not just be a one off; both the chaplain and even the Head Master have a real heart see this developed.

Below is a picture of one of the many prayers that now cover the prayer walls and different stations. Others include “show me heaven”, “God you’re the best”, “take away the bullies”, “thank you for calming the storms in my life. You bring peace – hurray!”

And finally, we had one student, picking up loads of blue paper that we we’re using to symbolise the waves that Jesus calms, and turning to a friend, arms outstretched and said “I’m going to wrap you in God’s love”…

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day two...

I’m sitting at my laptop, scratching my head with what to write for today. Not for lack of stories, just with what ones to put, and which one’s may be appropriate. As I said before, there are some kids with difficult problems in their lives, and my brain aches having taken a lot in throughout the day.

We started with the weekly staff service. Chris let me know later that a couple of people came that have never been before, and all who were here were really encouraging about the room. We thought of doing a proper little service, but in the end just let them use the prayer room like the kids have been doing, with a time of prayer at the end.

There was another article in the local paper today, another negative story. This has been fairly persistent and serves no purpose and does no good. It’s something we’re praying about. The most humbling thing was to sit on the floor during the staff service and pray for forgiveness and blessing upon the various people responsible.

Something that’s been unexpected is the impact this is making on the staff. We’re here doing this prayer room yes, but we’re actually here for a much bigger reason. We’re here to serve. After the assembly yesterday myself and Chris (not chaplain) helped put away the 500 or so chairs. A simple thing that happened without us thinking about it as far as I’m aware. But thinking about, it was a sign of why we’re here – we’re here to serve the whole school, and part of that is helping where help is needed, some of it is to make prayer available in the prayer room.

Most of the students from yesterday returned throughout the day with more friends today. Kim was with us today, which was brilliant. We felt a little conscious of the amount of people in the room at any one time, and how that could affect things. Things got a little crazy yesterday, but we want this space to be a prayerful and peaceful place, as well as fun. So, we prayed 5 minutes before lunch that the time would be a peaceful time, that Jesus would calm the storm. Most of the lunch hour today was really calm – lots of kids, but they were keen to participate. When things got a little louder before lunch ended, we stopped everyone and prayed the Lord’s Prayer with them. Awesome.

The girl who wrote ‘needing faith’ yesterday wrote ‘I [heart] Jesus’ today, plus some gutsy prayers for her family. One kid said he didn’t think much of our little mirror station (with various verses of God’s opinions of us) – his friend scowled and said ‘what do you mean?! It spoke to me?!’…and some heavy prayers: ‘help my dad not get angry’, and simply: ‘why???’… A more poetic and inspiring one: ‘my life I give to you’…

One other highlight is of a member of staff (non Christian) writing ‘Make it Good, forgive and lead’…

There’s a whole load of awesome prayers and chats going on. One girl went to leave saying “if God were real he would come down here, I’m here and I’ll be here for the rest of my life. He knows where to find me”
“Hasn’t he already come?” Chris replied.
Stopping and turning round, responding with a lot of attitude “what? He’s come down already?”
The rest of the room seemed stunned. Chris briefly said that Jesus did come and she wasn’t around then. She just stared at him for ages, lost for words. He went on to say why he came then and that he’s still alive today

Amazing stuff. More tomorrow.

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school prayer week: day one

some of you will know, a while ago I was inspired by reading Phil Togwell’s blog on running a prayer room in his local secondary school. It had been on my mind for some time and this gave a good encouragement for some exploration.

Well. Today we’ve done it! I’m currently sat on a chair in the middle of our prayer room. I am amazed, bewildered and slightly dazed from the day’s events.

Not least because I’ve arrived to this Monday having had a packed weekend– we travelled up to the UK Network Day for 24/7 in Gateshead…and, what an awesome day! oh I could write loads, even though we were well tired getting home yesterday (so awesome to break the journey at my bro’s in Nottingham), it was just ace. One of the discussions and prayer times focussed on prayer rooms happening in local schools – and it was really inspiring and encouraging to hear that three of us were beginning prayer weeks today.

And here we are.

Starting early in the morning. Myself and Chris arrived to meet the school chaplain – also Chris. Some local people will know that the school has received a lot of hardship from local press recently. The school has a lot of difficulties. Having been rescued from closure a few years ago by the Church of England, it has been on a hard slog to turn round lots of problems. And they’ve done an incredible job, and it certainly doesn’t help with the local press just persistently undermine their efforts. There are still things to work through – exam results are within the lowest of the city, 50% of the students are classed as ‘in poverty’, which means that there is an inevitable colourful and at times very distressing family situations. The police are here most days recently. This place needs prayer.

The three of us prayed and went off to take the all school assembly. It went really well. Chris, the chaplain, was brilliant and Chris, the dude, was awesome with the kids. Throughout the day we’ve received emails, and lots of comments from students and staff that they couldn’t believe how well behaved everyone was, they really enjoyed what the three of us put together.

It’s just coming to the end of the day now. After the fun times at assembly, myself, Chris the chaplain and the head of B&V (beliefs and values) finished putting together the prayer room. We opened at break. We opened at lunch. And we opened when school finished.

About 35 kids have come in. one girl came at break, brought friends back at lunch and came in at the end of school as well. In the morning she wrote ‘needing faith’ on the prayer wall – after school she wrote ‘Jesus saved us’…We’ve set up some real simple stations for prayer (I’ll put some pictures up as the week goes on), we’ve put a bit of effort in but it’s nothing real major. We wanted to keep it simple – but the kids are loving it. We had a bunch of kids come at once during lunch, which was full on. Some came to mess around, but God soon took them by surprise. I hope they come back. One guy said to a friend, “mate this place is paradise”…another said “this is the best room in the school”…on slightly funnier notes, the chill zone almost turned into the ‘pillow fight zone’, and I had a strange chat with one kid that seemed genuinely freaked out what he would do with all his ‘millions’ that he’d prayed for…its good to have a strong faith I guess! haha...

Lots of other good conversations about bullying, families. A whole load of gypsy kids came in and loved the family tree prayer space. Staff have come in because they wanted somewhere peaceful to work, other tutors have come in asking if they can grab the tutor group slots in the mornings.

It’s been really amazing.

Most of all. It’s amazing to have a space set aside for God in the middle of school life. A school that really needs Jesus, especially right now. To know his love, his peace, and his ability to do ‘what man thinks is impossible’, and to calm the waves and storms of this community.

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24/7 Videos: make disciples!

Here's the latest from the 24/7 Videos encouraging us into prayer and practise. The site says this: "Back after a short break: Susanna Rychiger from Switzerland leads today’s PrayerCast and challenges all to make disciples across Europe. Susanna leads 24-7 Switzerland and devotes her life to seeing young people meet their potential in God. Catch some of Susanna’s passion and add your ‘Amen’!"

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24/7 Videos: Europe's Generation...

I have a massive load of respect for this man: Brian Heasley. I've never met him but I read his blog often. working for 24/7 in Ibiza Brian goes out to the clubbers every night during the summer months to serve God by serving others in a crazy messy world. They're making a huge impact. They need our prayers. But we need to listen to their challenge. Anyway, this is a brilliant episode. The website says "What do we worship? In a culture where people spend themselves for fame, to accumulate stuff and to gain the greatest experience where is the generation rising up for Jesus? Brian Heasley from 24-7 Ibiza calls us to prayer for workers for the harvest across Europe.."

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24/7 Videos: End People Trafficking!

Peter Stanley, who leads us in prayer in this insightful and challenging episode was the strategy director of 'Stop the Traffik' and is advisor to lots of government agencies who fight human trafficking. The 24/7 website encourgages us to pray, saying "There are more slaves today than in the time when the slave trade was legalised. Add your Amen and ask God to expose the traffickers and liberate all those in slavery."

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community day away...

On Sunday, our little prayer community thing got together in the middle of the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside. we ate together, talked, prayed, laughed and explored what God has been doing with us since we began on this journey several months ago.

Clouds crept over the hills, thunder mumbled and lightning danced in the fields around us, the day rolled on as we tried to get a grasp on what God has been and may be calling us to. Our commitment to each other, to Him, to others, to the world around. We looked back at our various activities and to future exploration through the lens of the 6 Boiler Room practises, seeing where our life together features prayer, creativity, mission, hospitality, justice and mercy, and learning...the conversation was hearty, honest, and saturated, my mind buzzed.

The clouds parted to reveal an awesome sun setting in the distance. I felt God's peace as we stared amazed at it falling behind the hills on the horizon, ending another day, another chapter. Then our 'quick' time of worship and prayer continued til the light had gone and we could not see each others faces any longer. God was with us. And it was awesome.

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24/7 Videos : the church in Europe

Carla Harding introduces a different side to our prayers for Europe this week in the 4th episode of the 24/7 VideoCasts : praying for the European Church.

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24/7 Videos: British Parliament

"The British Parliament and Government are in crisis. Scandal has shaken the credibility of this government like no other in Europe at this time. David Landrum, from the Bible Society, speaks from inside Westminster Palace about the opportunity to pray and what he hopes to see come out of such a time of shaking. With the annual 24-7 Prayer Week for parliament happening this week at such an important time your amen could be a vital part of seeing a government of integrity and justice established in Great Britain."

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24/7 Videos: Governance of Europe

This next one in the series comes from Andy Freeman, a good friend of ours here in Gloucester. The 24/7 Prayer website says: "Andy comments on the European election results and how we as Christians can pray and engage with the new continental Government."

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24/7 Videos : sign of the times...

This is the first of a few videos that 24/7 will be posting over the coming days calling people across the globe to pray, and to pray specifically for Europe. Here's the first one, which explains stuff better than me:

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Sometimes...

I was praying the Lord's prayer yesterday, and it dawned on me. The reason we pray the Lord's prayer is because we need it answered afresh each day. If it had been answered in it's fullness, there would be no need to pray it...this made me think of the Lord's prayer as a confession, as well as a petition, as well as worship and thanksgiving. So, I rewrote it as a confession type thing that leads into the Lord's prayer itself...Here it is:

Father in Heaven,
I sometimes honour my name above yours;
I sometimes act selfishly,
putting my ambitions first,
forcing my opinions on others;
I sometimes think my way is best,
and pursue my own desires;
Sometimes I think I can make it on my own,
I do things out of my own strength,
convinced I can provide for myself;
I sometimes let guilt hide my wrongs in fear,
its hard to forgive myself for my sins and others for theirs
I sometimes want revenge and can become bitter against them,
or I find myself lost in the hurt I feel;
I sometimes choose not to resist temptation;
I sometimes don’t fight for righteousness,
but surrender to the evil around me;
I sometimes seek power and fame and recognition from others,
But it is never found there;
Not now, nor forever…

So, my Father in heaven,
May your Holy name be honoured
May your kingdom come and your will be done
May you provide my daily bread
Please forgive my sin as I forgive those who sin against me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from evil
For yours is the Kingdom,
Yours is the Power, and
Yours is the Glory,
Not sometimes, but Now
And forever more,
Amen!

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Political awareness and the Christian's social responsibility...

Today is voting day!

All across the UK thousands and thousands of people are going to vote for their local authority, as well as voting for their regional MEP rep. Politics in this country has succumbed to strike three on many accounts. The whole expenses furore, questions of leadership, uncertainty about the handling of the worldwide recession. The list goes on...

Almost all parties are calling for change - just with different ideas of what they mean by 'change'. And change is needed. But I've never been quite so unsure about who to vote for...The news, and conversations I've had with friends have been fuelled by this uncertainty too, so much so that it appears that many may not vote at all...But this is a really important issue. Maybe the most important one. It's my belief that Christians have to take a stand and vote, not being persuaded by policy and fancy slogans, or even indepth knowledge of what party does what - but surely an influence of thousands of Christians voting for those things which match up closely to and are most Christ-like has to be part of this vote. Christians have a responsibility to help shape their country, to see God's kingly rule emerge and prevail against the (sometimes) crazy notions of the day.

"All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God" (Romans 13:1 - the message)

It is often said - but it is so important to keep reminding people - thousands of people have died for the cause of giving us the opportunity to have our say. Of course, because we have a freedom that has been fought for by so many, we are free not to have our say, but not having our say is still saying something - it's saying "i do not want to participate in the wellbeing of my country", and therefore we forefeit our rights as a UK citizen. If we don't take part in shaping our country how can we expect to take part in the services it provides? Many thousands of people even today are fighting and dying to have their say in their country's practices. I think if we don't make use of the opportunity to vote ourselves, it makes a mochery of all those in the past, and all those today who do not have the freedom to take part in changing and shaping their country's actions and worldview. In the UK today we have a social standard that is messy to say the least, full of post-modern suspicion and rejection of tradition, and the 'pick and choose' morality of a country with such diverse backgrounds and beliefs makes voting all the more important. If the Christians' viewpoint is not heard in this mass of confusion, we are really missing out, and cannot complain if our nation turns out to be against the things that we are for, and for the things that we are against.

The vote may not actually be about the party for you - it may be about the individuals standing in your area. And, for me this is the important thing for a local election like today. The BBC local news tells me today that Gloucestershire is a "predominantly rural county, [that] covers an area of more than 1,000 sq miles (2,590 sq km)." All 63 seats are up for re-election, so it's a significant one today. Within that area is my tiny area where I live, so it's my opinion that whoever is standing needs to know my area, be aware of it's needs, it's strength's, and where it fits in with the wider citywide and countywide community. I know a little about those who are standing here, but the choice, to be frank, is limited. So, I'm still unsure, and I'm praying that God will help me vote for the right person, for the one he wants in place. For "the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:32 - NKJ)

Interestingly I did a little test called the 'Political Compass' the other day. It asks you a series of moral questions and then places you on a graph depending on where you stand politically. Interestingly enough, I was far away from the world leaders of today, being more 'green' than I would have realised...The closest world leaders to me, infact the only leaders in my quadrant were Nelson Mandella, Ghandi and the Dalai Lama!! haha. If that's really the case, I should be making more of an impact than I am currently...

I start by visiting my polling station later this afternoon.

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