One of the great encouragements from the 2019 Clergy Conference was the renewed fervor for prayer. So in advance of the 2019 Synod: Always Northward: From Vision to Action, we will be joining together for a 24/7 prayer initiative. This work of intercession will be for the outpouring of God’s Spirit across New England, the re-evangelization of the Northeast, and the establishment of God’s vision, strength, and provision for the diocese.
How do we participate?
1. We are encouraging all clergy and every member of every parish and mission to sign up here for at least one of the hour prayer time-slots.
2. Each congregation should meet for a corporate time of prayer at a time of their choosing sometime between the 9th and 15th of November. The diocesan office will be in touch with each of our churches to make sure it’s on their calendars. (CTR’s time slot will be Sun, Nov 10th at 10 am in the Parish Hall)
3. As we all pray, we have constructed an online prayer room where we can share scriptures, prayers, prophetic words and encouragement. Join the 24/7 Prayer Week Facebook Event page here and feel free to post on its wall.
St. John Chrysostom wrote, “The potency of prayer has subdued the strength of fire, it has bridled the rage of lions… extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases… rescued cities from destruction…and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt.” I am firmly convicted that the renewed zeal for prayer that we all encountered at the Clergy Conference was in itself a Spirit-led prophetic movement. Let’s join together in the work of the Spirit and faithfully play our part in His invitation to fervent prayer.
In the early church and throughout the Church’s history, prayer was partnered with fasting, as the Lord himself taught the disciples when they walked together. Especially in the Western Church, this practice has often fallen to the wayside. But this act of self-denial, prayer and humility often draws us closer to God so that He will draw closer to us. While certainly not mandatory, I want to encourage those who are willing to fast either fully or in part for at least one day during this prayer week. I will be fasting on the Wednesday of that week. Let’s turn towards the Lord together and fast and pray for those in New England who are lost to God’s love and for the Church, who is called to bring it to them. I have written a post on fasting, for those who may not be as familiar with this practice, that can be found
here.
Thank you so much for your time and prayers as we enter into an exciting season of growth!
In His Great Love,
Bishop Andrew Williams
Bishop Andrew writes an inspirational and thought provoking daily devotional called Watchwords. Click here to check it out and register.
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