“Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”
Ephesians 6: 17, 18
"Our Lord said “... men always ought to pray and not to lose heart...”
Luke 18 : 1
Join us in praying ...
We want to encourage you to “pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit”. Perhaps a few of these quotes will help you:
- “Prayer needs practice – not proof”
- “If we kneel before God in the morning we can stand before anyone during the day”
- “God cannot answer the prayers we do not pray”
- “The secret of praying is praying in secret”
- “Until we know that prayer is warfare we will never know what prayer is for”
- “Prayer is work, worship, war and worth it”
As we approach the busy preparation and blessed time of Christmas may we put into practice the promises and encouragements of His words to His children.
Camps
We start this prayer letter with a brief report on our summer camps. Thank you for your prayers – our summer camps activities were a great blessing to many. Almost 500 campers came on our summer camps.
Here is some of the campers feedback:
The thing I most enjoyed about camp was… everything. Sermons, games, craft, trips and food. The people and paint-balling. The venue was beautiful, it made you appreciate God’s creation. The pool and water slide. Great trips, great activities, great friends and officers, and great Bible studies and services. The singing with the guitar in the hut in our spare time was amazing!
The most important thing I learned… don’t make Jesus small – make Him the centre of your life. Once you become alive, God never leaves you. What I need to do at church. What I have to change. The Bible is God’s word. To put and keep Christ at the centre of absolutely everything. God is always with me even in low times – suffering, struggling, sticking. What it means to become a Christian. That if you have the Son you have it all.
Here is some leaders feedback:
Our cooks were a great blessing – it made a huge difference to the camp. The maturity of campers in praying for camp, including the 10-12 year olds, was amazing. We saw the fruit of the Spirit all over the camp. Wonderful to see children growing spiritually from year to year. An email from a mum told the leader that her son had come back totally changed. Many children think that a Christian is really a person who is good enough, they do not understand grace.
Many campers need assurance. Our camp book slot has led to six campers reading The Cross-Centred Life. Three girls on camp had become Christians since last year – they gave their testimonies during the week – it was a great testimony to God’s grace and power.
We are very grateful to God for the service of Tony Seager, who retired this year from being an outstanding camp chaplain after thirty consecutive years of camps.
Bryntirion Press
Bryntirion Press is the publishing arm of the EMW. We are anxious to make sure that we are wise with all the resources we have. Please pray for wisdom in:
- supporting the new books we have produced, especially Darganfod Cristnogaeth (Christianity Explored) and its associated website www.darganfodcristnogaeth.org
- making the right decisions about the future direction of the Press which new publications to pursue
- developing and using the gifts of new writers
- finding new volunteers for helping with editing to support the enormous load carried by Brenda Lewis, John Aaron and Edmund Owen
- improved production and marketing methods
- Gethin Rhys as he looks after the English and Welsh publications and supports the team who produce the Cylchgrawn
We are very grateful for your prayers. Please pray for:
1. The planning and preparation for our camps programme 2010.The Welsh and English camps committees are currently planning next year’s camps. Please pray for wisdom to understand God’s will for the camps, and guidance in finding enough quality workers for camps. We need experienced wise officers, godly and efficient cooks, and the right leaders and chaplains.
2. Welsh Ministers Conference (2-3 November, in Bryn-y-groes, Bala)
Please pray that the time spent together by the ministers would be a blessing and refreshment. The main speakers this year are Dafydd Job, Lewis Roderick, Geraint Morse and Derrick Adams.
3. Mission Wales
We have two missions in the next few months.
Narberth, Pembrokeshire (27 October – 1 November).
We will distribute 2,000 locally focused gospel newspapers, and hold preaching meetings with Dave Norbury, Phil Swann and Andy Christofides. There will be a book table in the high street and in a local fair, meetings specifically for ladies’ and children, as well as a service seeking to reach families and individuals contacted during the mission.
Neath Abbey
During 25-27 November, 9am-4pm we will be distributing evangelistic literature. The actual mission will take place 4-7 December, where Chris Rees will be preaching. We are still looking for help in the two missions. We need folk who want to reach others with the gospel.
For more details, please contact Malcolm and Shirley Towers on 01792 583105.
4. New Pastors’ Conference – For His Glory
This is a new venture for the EMW. It’s a conference aimed specifically at ministers in their first five years of ministry. Please pray for the young men who gather, 25-27 November. Art Azurdia III is the main speaker, coming over from USA for the conference. Bookings have been encouraging so far.
5. Management Board meeting in November
The Board faces many challenges – please pray for us as we meet on Monday 9 November. Gwynn Williams, who chairs the board, is recovering from his illness which he had through the summer.
6. Darganfod Cristnogaeth (Welsh Christianity Explored)
We know of at least seven courses that are taking place during the run up to Christmas. This is very encouraging. Pray for the people who are taking part as they study Mark’s Gospel together.
7. Churches throughout Wales
Please pray for Wales over the Christmas period. It is a time when churches are able to reach out to their communities with the wonderful news of the gospel.
Bookshops and the run up to Christmas
The lead up to Christmas can be the busiest time of year for our bookshops, and a critical time financially as the bulk of our sales is done during this period. Pray that many books will be sold and that God will be pleased to use the material to reach the lost and build up His children.
Pray specifically for:
- Cardiff bookshop is near the new John Lewis store and Library. We have a new upstairs area for you or any friends to rest your weary feet and take a break! Please call in – Stuart, Alan, and the volunteers would love to see you. The shop also has its new website.
- The fitting out the new Bala bookshop should be complete by January. Please pray for the church in Bala, Ann Davies and all the support needed from EMW to do the fittings and setting up.
- Bangor bookshop continues with its successful Christmas books offer – providing sample boxes of books that are taken to churches in the area.
May the Lord bless you over the next few months.
In Christ alone,
David Norbury - General Secretary
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