Urban Conditions of England
“England’s inner-cities have become physical and spiritual wastelands, riddled with drugs and crime. Dying congregations, closed churches, and churches converted into Muslim Mosques, and Hindu temples are common place. Pray that God may raise up an army of workers with effective ways of meeting the needs of these multi-lingual and multi-cultural areas.“
- Operation Word
Pray for the Church
- C.C. Twickenham (We will be serving with Rob & Joanie as we wait on the Lord for the future church plant)
ú Pray for vision, direction, and empowerment from God to accomplish His will in London
ú Pray for Joanie and Rob’s health.
ú More permanent help at their church.
City of London - There are few successful church-planting models in the inner-city which leaves a huge population of people not being reached. Pray that God would bring a break through and reach the lost.
Church of England – Pray for revival of sound Bible teaching within the Church of England.
- Because of the influx of non-Christian religions in the U.K. ( Islam, Buddism, etc.) and The Old World Occult (paganism, astrology, witchcraft, Satanism, etc.,) the voice of the truth is being drowned out.
- There is increasing compromise in the Church where fundamental truths are being watered down and denied.
- Pray for Unity within churches and leaders in London and the rest of the U.K.
- People are not committed and unwilling to serve in the church and are more interested in self-fulfillment and finding an experience.
- Sunday School is fading out of church-life and is being replaced with modern methods that don’t emphasize the life and ministry of Christ.
- Church growth has either declined or plateaued while Islam has been spreading rapidly.
- Lack of effective Bible teaching, discipling, and training up of new leaders. Pray God would reverse this.
Secular Society
- Increasing Violence in city’s, divorce, drug abuse, and suicide.
- A New generation of people without any kind of contact with the Gospel message is emerging,
- People generally have an unrepentant, post-Christian attitude causing them to form
a belief that the Bible is inapplicable and archaic.
- Post-Modern liberal beliefs towards Christianity resulting from the influence of secular society and religious pluralization has eroded the effectiveness of the truth in the hearts of the people.
Education
- Pray for revival on campuses in the U.K.
- Students are being exposed to godless and materialistic influence at an early age in schools.
- Christian Union Groups and all other Christian clubs (Campus Christian Clubs) – pray they would grow and multiply.
- Pray for over-seas Christian students to have positive evangelical influence on their campuses.
- Religious Education – Schools need more religious education teachers in the schools and favor within the public school system.
Specific / Personal Prayer Needs
#1 WE NEED GOD’S WISDOM AND DIRECTION FOR MINISTRY AND PROVISION
“Senders” Support
Having a team of supporters or “Senders” is just as important as the missionary being sent. There is a tremendous need for senders. And the need goes far beyond the traditional token involvement of showing up for a farewell party or writing out a check to missions. A cross-cultural worker needs the support of a team of people while he is preparing to go, while he is on the field and when he returns home.” - Neal Pirolo (author of Serving as Senders). Pray that God would raise up a team of people who feel called to support and minister as “senders” on our behalf. Here are some areas to pray for concerning this ministry:
Moral Support – Simply giving an encouraging word from time to time.
Logistical Support – Assisting in working out the details of administration
Financial Support – Giving as the Lord leads to help with everyday expenses. (Note: we are not able to work on a religious worker visa)
Prayer Support – Entering the spiritual battle through prayer.
Communication Support – Bridging the gap of distance, time and place.
Re-Entry Support – Being available during all the adjustments of coming home from the mission field.
NOTE: Each of these areas is accomplished to the fullest through the gifts working within the Body of Christ and these are areas of ministry and therefore one must be called to “send” in the same way a missionary is called to be “sent out”. All of us can “support” and we welcome and encourage that, but some are called to “send”, which involves a higher level of commitment and responsibility, as does any calling to a specific ministry.
Support letters / Response Letters
- Pray for God’s favor and direction to those who received our support letters.
- Pray God would use the letters to call those people whom He desires to partner with us.
Provision
- Pray that God would provide every practical need we face. (Financially, Logistically, Prayer, etc.)
ú Monthly Expenses (The English pound and dollar is at least a 2:1 ratio.)
§ Rent
§ Public Transportation
§ Food / Supplies
§ Furnishings (we will be starting all over as we can’t take much with us when we move.)
§ Travel
§ Utilities / Communications
§ Monthly Council Taxes
Lizzie’s Personal Requests
- Health
- Weather and Culture change
- Children J
- Balancing being a wife and serving in ministry.
Mark’s Personal Requests
- Clarity, faith, and confidence in God’s leading.
- God’s strength as a husband and leader.
- Wisdom and discipline concerning my schedule and time management.
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