Our Week of Prayer draws to a close

As I post this update, there are just a few hours left before the end of our 2nd Week of Prayer over Chelmsford and District.

The Christians of our City have filled 141 hours of the 168 available with Prayer and around 50 people came to one or more of our 5 Prayer Spaces that took place around the City, Monday to Thursday. People from at least 41 churches and Christian groups have got involved.

Particularly amazing was that we were able to use the Cathedral Wednesday morning and whilst there I had the opportunity to speak to the Dean, who indicated that we should have a “conversation” about the possibility of being there more regularly.

Thank you all so much for being a crucial part of what God is doing here in Chelmsford and District. He is hearing the fervent prayers of His people and cannot fail to act.

We have started to receive some “Words” and feedback from those who have already prayed and we encourage you to send us details of what God has spoken to you about. A further circulation of these will be made in due course.

You can find a selection of photographs of our Prayer Spaces this week here.

The River of God’s Blessing over Chelmsford

As room allowed, during the Week of Prayer, Prayer Spaces we had a ‘river flowing’. I felt it should be called The River of God’s Blessing over Chelmsford.

It carried cards with short scriptures and phrases on them under the three-fold theme of the Week, Reconciliation (unity and love between our churches), Renewal (of our Christian faith), and Revival (of our City).

It was also based on the passage in Ezekiel 47: 1-12, which describes the river flowing from the Temple of God. We had some laminated cards which asked people to read and reflect before God on how this passage might apply to them.

Read what was on the card here.

At our Thursday Prayer Space at Chelmsford Community Church the previous week, I sat and wrote the following words in our Prayer Journal:

“It may be October 1st today, but the sun is streaming in the windows and it is a warm and beautiful day. We sit today in a newly refurbished and increasingly frequented and used building that was a church that was ‘dying’ and which had to close through lack of people. Today it now has two morning services on a Sunday, due to lack of space and many. many weekday activities, of which this Prayer space, alongside their community coffee morning are but two.

Isaiah 43 :18-21 says:

18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honour me, the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

God is certainly doing a ‘new thing’ in this day and it is time we perceived it. He is bringing forth an unstoppable river of His Glory upon the earth – upon this Nation – this City. Can you sense Him doing this?

Just as the river flowed from the Temple in Ezekiel 47, it is time for each of us to get in! Not just ankle-deep, or knee-deep, or waist deep, but right in – over our heads – beyond our reasoning

RIVER OF GOD FLOW!

MAY YOUR PEOPLE ARISE”
That same morning, a lady I knew who comes from Braintree turned up at the Prayer Space for the very first time. She sat for most of the morning quietly praying and making notes in her own notebook.

Later that evening, she sent me the following message:

“I wanted to share with you what came up in prayer today . I don’t usually have visual prayers but words of knowledge but today I saw the following:

‘A desert with wind-turbines in it, turning and generating power; a huge tidal wave about to crash in behind the wind turbines with mighty power, flooding and refreshing the dry, barren land. A little girl bowed down low, humble, tiny, trusting God to save her, others follow suit and do the same. Green trees, grass, plants, etc, grow up around them – like a beautiful garden – a land being healed and refreshed, renewed – lots of light and joy.

Soldiers in the same desert looking into the sky at a bright light, a light so bright the soldiers shield their eyes – the wave is coming but it is over-bearing and its power is threatening destruction – the same power that brings life can bring destruction.

Then Isa.45:5-7 came to mind and I opened my bible to Isa.43 + 44. I got a lot from reading but the passage that spoke most to me was Isa.44:1-4 – it seemed to sum up what I had seen in the vision. My prayer to start with was 2 Chr.7:14 so I am trusting this was God’s answer to that prayer.”

Isaiah 44:1-4:

“But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what the Lord says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams.

We had not spoken about any of this earlier, nor had she read what I had written in our Journal.

Later she excitedly messaged me again:

“David I have just looked at my notes from the prayer time and I also have written down Isa. 43:18-21. Amazing!”

She even sent me a picture of her handwritten notes to prove it!

Now what do you think, is God is about to do something really significant here is Chelmsford?

Now read 2 Chronicles 7:14 and see what you and I need to do about it?

Exciting times, bless you all.

David Gilbey