Friday Focus

The World Prayer Centre, in partnership with HOPE and the Prayer Magazine, invites you to join in with Friday Focus prayer every week,starting on Friday 6 January 2017. Friday Focus 2017 provides the opportunity for us to pray where we are and unite across our nations, supporting all ongoing mission and preparing the way for future mission. HOPE’s aim is to see the entire Church mobilised during 2018 to make Jesus known. Each week Friday Focus will take a different theme: supporting national initiatives of prayer and mission; key seasons in the church’s calendar; different people-groups highlighted in the Talking Jesus report; and prompting us to pray for those we know and meet and the communities we are part of. Will you join us in seeking our Father for His ways?

Pray:

for God’s will and His kingdom to be seen more and more in our land through this initiative. (Mt.6:10)

A pro-Israel prime minister

Let us give thanks that Prime Minister Theresa May has made no bones about the fact that she is a keen supporter and ally of Israel, which she called ‘a remarkable country’. In a firm speech to the Conservative Friends of Israel, our Prime Minister described Israel as ‘a beacon of tolerance, an engine of enterprise, a thriving democracy, and an example to the rest of the world for overcoming adversity and defying disadvantages.’ She talked about the shared values and positive relationship between Israel and Britain, emphasising her hopes for an even stronger friendship between the two countries post-Brexit. Crucially, in the face of parliamentary and civic attempts to derail the 2017 Balfour Centenary celebrations and force Britain to apologise for her role in creating the Jewish homeland, the PM staunchly defended the document as ‘one of the most important letters in history, which demonstrates Britain's vital role in creating a homeland for the Jewish people.’

Pray:

for Theresa May to continue under God’s anointing as she takes the British Isles forward.

Seasonal potential threats

The threat of a terrorist attack in the British Isles remains high, and more police have been deployed in sensitive areas after the Berlin truck massacre. Many of us are boarding planes and ferries to visit family and friends, shopping, and singing carols in prominent places - all soft terror targets. Please pray for God’s protection over all ‘gateways’ into this country: airports and aircraft, cruise liners, ferries and ports; railway stations and peak train journeys; motorways and tunnels (especially the Eurotunnel); places where large crowds gather such as sport stadiums, shopping centres, Christmas markets, theatres and concert halls; schools and colleges; and all churches. We can pray for God’s plans for peace, mercy and hope to blot out every plan and purpose of terror, death or destruction. May the British Isles be safe under God’s authority and canopy of prayer over Christmas and into 2017. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001oaeZDdtO4zZ2gbUzr-Sbz_EXl8cP5 Fkgv7-ua2SW49Nx5CMBuXkcbw5CD8lXvtOYyht6_8iXYZLfypCX2tEa8MgzV gJhFrVb6QQNrTOHESoM14xN4kcacxNROTHdneY591bGZfaS-wLxF5oGPHxXC lBsz8p6nGod7VBxV8AXtxHtgq2Jm-EVvhJ-QVtMRYQ1x5l016rk9qjTkLq1Q l7fQRmFIHsunwFv&c=kha48kIUIwlBlGPdlX4m8NKy4wh84MmlASSwZB a-c6TWTRNeDYZY7g==&ch=IPy0UBDRMvBX9SOhi94bg9ogRNtjGCLKbf XjtWxHVqB9WGSvo1ZStg==" alt="https://www.rt.com/uk/370961-christmas-market-police-nu mbers/ - See also

Pray:

for wisdom, protection and insight for our government, intelligence services, police and armed forces. (Ps.91:1,2)

Prince Harry 'wants to make a difference'

In a TV programme broadcast last Monday Prince Harry said it was ‘fun to be good and boring to be bad’. And ‘If you're me, if you're your Average Joe, whoever you are, if you can't affect politics and change the big things in the world, then just do whatever you can do. Whether it's in your local community, your village, your local church, walking down the street, opening a door for an old lady, helping them cross the road. Whatever it is, just do good. Why wouldn't you?’ Prince Harry said he no longer struggles with his royal role and wants to ‘make something’ of his life. He made these comments while speaking in a documentary about his charity work in Lesotho.

Pray:

for many to catch the sentiment behind Harry’s words and look again at how they use their time and resources. (Dt.6:18a)

‘But there was no room for them at the inn’

This Christmas please pray for those sleeping rough or in temporary B&B accommodation, and ask God to work through society to bring about more housing and adequate places for the vulnerable to settle into. Pray for the unemployed, and especially for homeless and vulnerable people selling the ‘Big Issue’ magazine on street corners. One vendor said, ‘It’s great when people stop and say hello, it’s nice to feel part of the community and feel that people actually care.’ May God’s mercy flow so that they will soon be housed adequately in a place they can call their own. Give thanks for the many churches and charities providing shelter, warmth and food for ‘rough sleepers’ over the winter; pray God’s blessing on everyone involved, and for the provision of every resource they need.

Pray:

for the safety of the homeless, and for authorities to make adequate provision for those who need to settle and prosper in a home. (Ps.66:9)

Some face a painful Christmas

The death of someone we love, who matters to us, is a devastating experience. We are faced with the painful and daunting task of coping with all that bereavement brings and with the challenge of finding a new sense of life and purpose. All of this takes time - nearly always longer than we think - and help of many kinds may be needed. At Christmas many widows, widowers, orphans, brothers and sisters of close relatives experience a particular pain mixed in with seasonal celebrations. Please pray for all those for whom Christmas is not a time of rejoicing and ‘making merry’, but a time of sorrow due to loss of loved ones at this time.

Pray:

for those recently bereaved to know the love and comfort of the Father. (2 Cor.1:3-4)

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