Prayer Points (WE-110129)

As another week reaches it’s end, thanking God for the responses to last week’s Prayer-Points, please consider these points for your prayerful attention.

• Purity of Heart

Recently, I recalled this,

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Then the scandal of the week was the sexist comments made off-air by Richard Keys and Andy Gray on Sky Sports regarding a female assistant referee.

On the surface there is the disgust at these sentiments by such high profile broadcasters, yet there is more …

The level of sanctimonious language against the two, was rather disturbing. Consider this, if our private conversations were recorded and then publicised would anyone be comfortable? It might not be overtly prejudice, but it could expose horrendous views we have about others. It might expose our hypocritical behaviour to be seen as acceptable. It might expose things that would embarrass or worse.

What if the thoughts in our head were recorded – what would that expose about us?

This week’s scandal – not just in what Gray and Keys said, but also in the way someone took time to expose that and other things coming to light to force their removal – should give pause for thought.

Consider Jesus’ words in response to another set of sanctimonious hypocrites.

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:34-37)

The issue is a matter of purity. Please remember the state of your heart and mine in your prayers.

• Government Reforms

First it was education, then it’s the NHS. The government is outlining its own strategy to deal with the current issues that face the country.

This is not a party political broadcast. I have no allegiance to or leaning towards any political party. It would be great to have that prophetic insight into how policy is linked to the righteousness that God requires in the nation. In as much as I would be the last one to claim to be a patriot, I am learning to love people with the heart that God has for people regardless of nationality and sometimes with full regard of their nationality. This is one of those times.

The decisions the government are taking have significant consequences for the way we do life in our local areas. There are however as many opportunities in these decisions for believers to rise to their Kingdom commission as there are potentially drastic changes to the way money is distributed to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged.

It’s not just about us as followers of Christ making a stand and speaking out for the sake of the least of the brothers of Jesus Christ as Matthew 25 indicates, it is exactly for us to meet that need as Christ leads us. It is also for us to do so whilst giving due honour and praying for the government of our day as they make these decisions. Please remember the government and the heart of God’s people to speak and to serve in your prayers.

• Christianity in the UK

There is a saying that there are lies, damn lies and statistics. This week in Christianity would appear to reflect that. On the one hand there is this release from the Evangelical Alliance which would appear to indicate a promising and productive picture of Christianity in the UK. Then there is this survey conducted about faith in the country that makes some startling reading.

I could go into some detail in responding about what you read in both surveys. With the best will in the world I want to take heart from everything, but come on – 72% of respondents suggest they are Christian. That’s a lot of people and that’s a funny country for people who claim to be Christian. A bit like the monarch, it appears as though this country takes a nominal approach to Christian witness and example. It is probably seen in how they many see their faith as something to be kept private, imagine if Jesus did that!? Then there’s the obvious spin of the ‘devout’ members of other religions in comparison to this superficial relationship to following Jesus.

The point in particular to pray for is the continuing growth and development of the Christian witness in the UK. Not so much numerically, though making disciples is crucial, but more about the depth and seriousness of pursuing Christ in this culture to be even more evident not to please surveys, but to please God. Please remember this issue in your prayers.

I am grateful to God that He’s put it on my heart to pray and pray in a more focussed and concerted fashion and share these with you. I am grateful for your support in joining me in these prayers. Not putting myself forward as the Prime Prayer Warrior, feel free to share prayer points of your own that require prayer and let’s hope God will likewise extend grace and favour in giving the desire of your heart in response.

Have a great weekend.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd