Week of Prayer and Fasting
GOD IS IN THE CAMP
Monday 1st September to Sunday 7th September
The purpose of prayer is not to arrive somewhere. We cannot attain the presence of God because we are already in his presence. What’s absent is awareness. Little do we realise that God is maintaining us in existence with every breath we take. As we take another it means that God is choosing us now and now and now.
(Everything belongs, Richard Rohr, p. 29)
You are invited to join with our Week of Prayer and Fasting as we refocus ourselves on inhabiting the Holy space rather than dwelling outside of it.
Each day will focus on a particular scripture reflecting this theme. There will be suggested activities that you can do on your own or with others. There will also be daily opportunities to gather for prayer early in the morning on Zoom, and at various times and days in-person.
Global Week of 24-7 Prayer
During this week we will also be joining in with the 24-7 prayer movement’s call for a global week of prayer for the nations.
Each day we will provide prayer points for two countries that are home to members of our New Life Global Family
Gathering points for adults:
Online
Early morning Zoom/Teams call 6:00 – 6:30am Monday to Friday.
These will follow the format of PRAY = Pause, Reflect, Ask, Yield.
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In-person
Monday 1st September - Ladies prayer group will meet in the prayer room at the church. Other ladies who wish to join them this week are very welcome. Host: Ros Classon.
Tuesday 2nd September - Join the staff team in the prayer room from 9:30am to 10:15am for a time of prayer and Bible study.
Wednesday 3rd September – Pray at New Bradwell from 7:30pm with Johan and Liesel
Friday 5th September – Join John Belo and members of the pastoral team at 7:30pm in the prayer room
Saturday 5th - TBC
Sunday 6th September – Our week of prayer and fasting will draw to a close with the Church Family Meeting at <time> at The Ridgeway Centre. All welcome.
Gathering points – youth
Youth will be meeting on Friday evening, Further information to come
Gathering points – children
TBC with Sonya –
Day by day prayer and encounter
Recommended reading:
The Possibility of Prayer: Finding Still with God in a Restless World (John Starke)
Monday 1st September – Be still and know
Bible verse: Psalm 46: 10-11
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the Earth.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Activity: Practice being silent in the presence of God. Perhaps set a time for five or ten minutes and then focus on him. Use the verse ‘Be still and know that I am God’ to help you focus. Ask him to reveal something of his glory to you during this time.
Global family: Please pray for Cally and the Eagle Project in Brazil as they continue to work with young offenders, encouraging them not to return to a crime on release. Please pray for Edward and Mathilde in the Democractic Republic of Congo as they continue to develop leaders in order to reach more people with the gospel.
Tuesday 2nd September – Draw near to God
Bible verse: James 4 v 8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Activity As we draw near to God we become more aware of his holiness and our shortcomings. Spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of your life where you need to live more like Jesus and to be washed clean. Ask for forgiveness and decide how you will make changes. You may wish to talk and pray with a Christian friend who you can trust and be accountale to.
Global family: Please pray for Jonathan and Sarah in Greece as they begin a new church year. Please pray for them to find a new location in central Athens suitable for their outreach activities. Please pray for Daniela, Russell and Rosie as they develop the charity Credinta Tare for the work in Romania. Pray also for Daniela’s plans to lead a mission trip in the April 2026.
Wednesday 3rd September – Dwell in the Father’s love
Bible verse: John 15 9 - 11
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Activity: ???
Global family: Simeon and Jenna in Turkey, Shillong Family Church in India
Thursday 4th September – The Secret place of God
Bible verse: Psalm 91: 1 - 2
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Activity
Global family: Sasha and Marija in Macedonia, Raheel in Pakistan
Friday 5th September – Declare his praises
Bible verse: 1 Peter 2: 9
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Activity: How can you declare his praises today?
Youth will be gathering
Global family: Sam and Abi in Cambodia, and Edi and Artina in Albania
Saturday 6th September – The Presence of God
Bible verse: Exodus 33: 14
“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Activity: Meditate on this verse – First ask Father God what he would say to you through these words. Second ask Jesus what he would say to you. Third, ask the same of the Holy Spirit.
Did you discover different things about this verse by focusing on the each person of the trinity separately?
Global family: Paul and Susanna in Spain, and David in Myanma