Prayer Points (WE-110402)

You will notice that in these prayer points I endeavour to give roughly the same amount of space to each point and also look to mix the topics of each point, but on this occasion one particular point stands out over all others which will dominate this week’s prayer point and as it is one about personal affairs it’s worth mentioning two other points of importance to me albeit briefly.

• The Shields Family

I’ve mentioned Ritson Shields before on this site (there was his influence in shaping my approach to family, took time to celebrate his birthday and also mentioned him as a worthy friend of mine back in 2005) but not recently. I owe a considerable amount to Ritson. He is a friend, brother and mentor to me. Indeed he is the first one to take it upon himself knowing next to nothing about me to voluntarily invest his life in my personal development. At some difficult and trying times in my life, his sterling presence in my life has been the necessary slap in the face I needed as well as consoling and caring touch.

If it wasn’t enough that he is a man for whom I have the highest respect, his family are likewise full of great characters and personalities. There’s his beautiful daughter Julia who has a keen intellect and sharp wit that can be subtle that when I catch up with her I grin like an idiot being outwitted again! Brilliant young lady with tremendous potential and heart. He has a son called Jason who makes my heart smile when I read some of the stuff that he comes out with and the words he says – so eager to learn more of Jesus, so keen to grow in the ways of grace and so aware of his own shortcomings even as he rushes ahead. A top guy, who I would consider as a little brother if he wasn’t already taller than me, wiser than me and in some cases funnier than me (don’t tell him that though, he might get big-headed, like me). Of course the jewel in the crown is the long-suffering wife Dianna (come on, she’s got Jason AND Ritson to live with, surely that’s a good definition of suffering … sorry guys) not just a pretty face, or voice, but a woman of integrity, strength of character and a great laugh as well in all things fully committed to Christ.

I go to lengths to mention them because they have been very good to me over the years and I acknowledge the lifelong debt of love I’ll always owe to them. I also mention them as a prayer point as they go through some challenges as a family with a recent bereavement giving us that pause for reflection that the loss of a loved one always gives. In as much as scripture informs us that we don’t mourn as others might because of the hope we have, it is called a loss for a reason and so in times like this the consolation of Christ is all the more important for them. I also detect that this is just one of a number of life challenges that the family as a whole and individually they are walking through and so please remember them in your prayers.

• Simon Lovatt

Way back when I asked you to pray for my the man who used to be my boss, the chief executive of the North Staffs YMCA – Danny Flynn. Recently I was conversing with him and as I was doing so I was reminded of another dearly loved colleague, who is the subject of this prayer point.

Expressing love for men as a man isn’t something that’s done openly and regularly without someone considering you to be homosexual, drunk or in some cases both. Maybe the macho thing. Maybe a cultural thing. Whatever it is – it sucks. I love Simon Lovatt and I’m not ashamed to say it.

He is a man who works with young people and is all out committed to coming alongside them to see a real change made in their lives in real and practical ways. He may like reading, but he’s far more interested in the relational bits and pieces. It was a great privilege to work alongside him for three and a half years and see how a man who is so unassuming and modest can make such a big, lasting, positive impression on young people who have never been the recipient of God’s love before. Simon didn’t need to be a raving pente-charismaniac – and he wasn’t, he was just a guy on his journey with God in his life and working things through.

I bring him to your attention for prayer because I love him and remember him for the good works he has done. I don’t know if I’ll see him again, but I do hope to see him again whether in this life or the next. His humble, modest, approachable, friendly, engaging character was more of a witness of the love of Christ to me than a lot of what I came across in religious settings. His character remains an inspiration to me. Please remember this man of God in your prayers.

• Northampton TNG

The Shields represent one era of my life and Simon Lovatt represents another, so it is only fitting that the most recent era has a representation. I work for Northampton TNG and have done so since July 2010. Good work is done by the organisation in carrying out a contract for the Department of Work and Pensions in the government’s Welfare to Work strategy.

Following the election of the present government, plans were made and legislation passed to make drastic changes to the Welfare to Work strategy which inevitably had repercussions for organisations like TNG. Recent news regarding those changes had a particularly significant bearing on Northampton TNG and it is fair to say it finds itself in a place of great uncertainty.

Decisions and changes of this scale will always have implications for people’s livelihoods and the level of assurance and confidence in which they approach their work. So in this season of uncertainty the request is to look for all involved to realise peace and true assurance doesn’t come from contracts but from contact with the God who has the bigger plan in mind. Remember me as I engage in that centre and remember the staff as a whole in your prayers.

Not so long ago I posted something on not taking prayer for granted and as the days pass by and the ebbs and flows of life cascade against my soul I realise just how fundamental prayer is for me personally, for my family, for my local community, for my place of work, for the people in my sphere of influence and for the wider world at large. Just talking to God about issues and pouring open my heart on affairs is so … big, so foundational, so life changing, that I know I’m the better for it. Prayer also reminds me that without Him I can do nothing, so it is in my best interests to stay connected by prayer to do what needs to be done – even if it’s just praying. So pray on people.

Have a great weekend.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd