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“We cannot, we must not, limit God and his power"
Since an “ordinary” bookshop committee meeting in Menai Bridge those words have echoed in my heart. Geraint Morgan had read Psalm 78 to us. He challenged all of us – especially me – we must never do as they did... Again and again they put God to the test; THEY LIMITED THE (they vexed) the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power — the day he redeemed them from the oppressor, (vs 41 and 42). They showed their cynical lack of faith as they questioned God… They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the desert?" (vs 19). As we call you to pray for Wales we want to encourage you to believe that He is not limited, His power is as great as it ever was… and He is able to prepare feasts in a desert – even in Wales – especially in Wales! At the cross, when all seemed lost, our Lord Jesus Christ had won
forgiveness and heaven for all those who believe in Him. Consequently His resurrection power is at work in His people today. And there is evidence to prove it – our God is working to will and to do His wonderful will. As you use this Call to Prayer you may use it as churches who set aside an evening. Others set aside a week for prayer. In other places, where there are no churches, God’s people continue to pray in ones and twos.
However you choose to do it – pray for Wales.
Please let us remind you...
The Need
Those who do not go to church… 98% of the population of Wales do NOT go to church regularly. Over 95% of the population never go to a Sunday church service. The vast majority of the people of Wales never hear the gospel in a place of worship. One church grouping in Wales has 800 churches with only 36 ministers – some of whom are evangelical. In North Wales, a high percentage of people speak Welsh, but there is a need for more gospel and Bible teaching churches and ministers in the area. This pattern is replicated in predominantly English-speaking areas of the South Wales valleys, Mid Wales and the cities of Cardiff, Swansea and Newport.
For the Evangelical Movement of Wales, partnership in the gospel is our mission. As a result, whilst the prayer requests below focus not only on the work of the EMW, we are also asking you to pray for other ministries and churches. We need to pray for all gospel work in Wales.
Firstly, pray for Christians …
That God would unite Christians in Wales to…
- constantly experience the reality of Christ’s presence;
- live with confidence in His Word and in total obedience to it;
- be passionate for the evangelisation of the nation;
- depend entirely on Him through expectant prayer.
…secondly, pray for churches and Christians to evangelise the unevangelised and plant churches where there are none
What would it be like in Wales if God should touch Wales and:
- Every community in Wales with a population of more than 1,000 were to have a church where the gospel is preached in their first language;
- Every Bible-centred church in Wales was to be actively involved in extending the reach of the gospel in Wales;
- Every person in Wales were to have a realistic opportunity of hearing the gospel personally, and in their first language;
- Every Christian in Wales was to have an active and prayerful concern for evangelism across Wales.
Pray specifically for...
The continuing challenging work of churches involved in Mission Wales in 2008:
- Caernarfon churches – Pastor John Treharne and other pastors in the area (see picture of open air meeting in mission);
- Townhill Baptist Church – Pastor Allan Rees.
Mission Wales 2009
- Lampeter Evangelical Church Thursday, January 29th to Monday, February 1st;
- Other churches considering a mission will be clear on the Lord’s will.
- Other missions such as Gospel loving churches in Bridgend are joining together and holding a Mission in the Spring 2009 with Roger Carswell.
Mission Wales 2010
- Swansea and Pontarddulais from October 31st – November 1st with Roger Carswell;
Men with a heart to reach Wales for example:
- Roger Thomas and the EMW trailer: Roger travels around the cultural and agricultural events of Wales;
- Chris Rees (Narberth Baptist) now leads a developing work in Llansteffan Baptist which has as many as twenty attendees. Chris wants to get the gospel out in villages such as Whitland, Tavernspite and St Clears in SW Wales;
- Ian Middlemist – an evangelist employed by Hill Park Baptist Church in Haverfordwest;
- New open air work such as Sunday open-airs lead by Ebenezer Baptist in Swansea;
- Huw Kinsey as he retires from the Bryntirion office, Steff Job, Gethin Rhys, Steve Potts and Mark Barnes as they work for the EMW;
- Stuart Olyott as he continues as Pastoral Director for the EMW;
- New pastors such as John Williams in Bethel, Gorseinon, Paul Kosciecha, Lonlas;
- Gwynn Williams as he chairs EMW and Peter Milsom as he chairs AECW.
Church planting work such as:
- Cardiff with AECW churches;
- Welsh language work in Whitchurch;
- The city and county of Swansea, Llandeilo and Dolgellau;
- EMW and Waleswide as we seek to support church planting.
…thirdly, pray for churches and Christians to have increased Biblical literacy and discipling
What would it be like in Wales if God should touch Wales and:
- All Christians in Wales were to have a wide-range of quality resources and teaching available in their first language;
- All Christians in Wales of all ages was to know and love the Bible, know its power, correctly handle it, and help themselves and others to live by it;
- All Christians in Wales were to be within easy reach of a Christian bookstall that stocks reliable, relevant literature and other resources.
Pray specifically for..
- Bryntirion Press: That we may produce more and more resources that are contemporary and Biblical in both English and Welsh;
- Christian Bookshops: Especially the EMW shops and pray especially for the shops in Cardiff, Ammanford, Neath and Wrexham as we establish a sustainable financial basis - supported by Howard Bilton. Also pray for exciting new developments in Bala supported by Robert Adlam;
- The churches in Llandrindod Wells and Mid Wales after the closure of the EMW shop there. We plan to take book fairs in Mid Wales on a regular basis in order to support churches;
- GIG: For Arfon Jones as he continues to work on beibl.net. Pray also for the website as more resources for reading the Bible are becoming available (www.beibl.net);
- The ministries of church youth groups, Sunday schools, town wide and county wide youth groups such as Youth Link & Generation Next.
… fourthly, pray for churches and Christians to have better networking and cooperation
What would it be like in Wales if God should touch Wales and:
- Every Bible-centred church in Wales were to be prayerfully aware of the needs and encouragements of gospel ministries throughout the nation;
- Every such church was to regularly work with other Bible-centred churches;
- Every gospel minister in Wales was to be actively involved in stimulating, ‘must-go’ fraternals;
- Every Christian in Wales was to have meaningful and regular fellowship with Christians from other churches.
Pray specifically for..
- Conferences: That they may be an encouragement to all Christians and help to support churches;
- Bryn-y-groes Conference Centre: That Dave and Pat should increasingly be used by God as a resource to aid Christians and churches from across Wales;
- EMW Ministers Morning of Prayer for Revival on 12 January, 30 March and 12 October, and Ministers' Day Conferences on 2nd-3rd February;
- Affinity as they continue their work under the leadership of Jonathan Stephen with many encouragements and some significant challenges, not least of which is financial;
- The Evangelical Alliance as they work with others to influence the National Assembly and provide a stronger Christian voice in the national government.
… finally, pray for churches and Christians to have better training and leadership
What would it be like in Wales if God should touch Wales and:
- Every church in Wales was to be actively and imaginatively encouraging and facilitating young men and women to develop their gifts and understand the call of God;
- Every pastor in Wales was to have access to, and opportunity for, continued training throughout his ministry;
- Every church in Wales was to enjoy dynamic, spiritual leadership;
- Every church in Wales was to have older women training and leading younger women;
- Every young Christian in Wales was to have access to an inter-church youth group which encourages,develops and teaches them regularly.
Pray specifically for...
- Training: The EMW theological training courses (English and Welsh) and WEST;
- DAWN (Welsh medium training) led by Meirion Morris in Llansannan;
- Local pastors of gospel churches in your area;
- Fraternals as they continue to encourage and help pastors in their work.
May the Lord bless you over the next year.
In Christ alone,
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