Prayer is the lifeblood of the church.

Sunday 5th August.  I am always amazed at how the Father weaves together a Sunday morning service that is centred on working together with the Holy Spirit to encourage and build up believers in Christ. The river flows with scriptures, dreams, sung worship and then corporate prayer. It really felt as if the Holy Spirit was at the door to welcome us in (as opposed to us welcoming Him in our midst) and then when heavens' choir joined our sung worship thought the roof would blow off. 

One could over-think it all but on face value - heaven broke through on Sunday morning with so much more than we could have thought or planned.  Four words were released over the church - the first being from scripture 1 Peter 1 which speaks of our heavenly inheritance and the enduring word of God ending with “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever!

Another word to the church given via a dream reinforces our commitment to pray. The words from the dream are, "Prayer is the lifeblood of the church. Satan can never cut off the blood supply to Jesus’ body. Persevere in prayer. The battle belongs to the Lord." 

Two words impressed on others and then shared addressed the need for reconciliation (forgiveness) and encouragement to wait on the Lord for breakthrough.  This remarkable divinely inspired flow was all part of the prepared "preach/teach" which aimed at a corporate prayer focussed on words, scriptures and pictures we have received since the start of the year (graphically represented - click to enlarge) and speaks to the new day, breakthrough and fresh revelation of Christ. Just love the way the Father does this!

 

As the blog writer, I'm encouraged that Eloyim through His Holy Spirit reached down from heaven to  encourage us to keep on the pathway of prayer and fasting we have established and, as Godfrey Birtell sings, "Living in the unforced rhythm of GRACE"  (YouTube version of song)

Ephesians 3: 16 to 19 - "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." 

Joy

Other related blog posts

• Pray until something happens
• New day dawning: prepare for the spring
• Restoration, repentance and reconciliation

PUSH

It’s time to PUSH and we need everyone- yes you as well - unity in purpose is critical!

Since May 2011 there has been a flow of pregnancy/birth/baby type dreams and prophetic words given by the Lord to five (5) different people associated with our fellowship. Last week, a national prayer group of intercessors came out with a word from the Lord that links a prayer initiative to the birth of the new season God has promised us.  Still with me?

As I read the "word" the penny dropped as in the aforementioned 5 dreams & words we've received into FHCC all have a clear line of sight link to prayer and the growing expectation of the dawning of the new day.  We praise God for what He's been doing with us as a fellowship (have you noticed the transition & changes?) and for the wonderful (miraculous?) answers to prayers.

We have seen a distinct shift in the “treasuring hunting” on the streets of Sydenham with treasure being found and BUT significantly being brought to our door!  I get seriously excited about God, the stuff HE's doing in us and on our streets with the deep sense of angelic activity that's on the go - ensuring the will of God is done.

Let the spiritual midwives say ‘yes and amen – you can do this’, catch the second wind of the Holy Spirit, bear down and Pray Until Something Happens

(see what happens when we pray - combustible prayer)

As with any natural pregnancy - dates are important so here's the list of dates of pregnancy, birth, prayer, words, dreams etc since May 2011.

• 1 May 2011: baby dream (JW)
• 24 December 2011: messy birth vision (BH)
• January 2012: the new day vision/word (YD)
• 15 January 2012: Malham – pregnant and giving birth word (AL)
• 25 February 2012: birth in dirty conditions dream (YD)
• 17 March 2012: pregnancy & prayer dream (MZ)

With much love and great excitement

Joy

No seasonal fruit here: it's perpetual

No seasonal fruit here: it's prepetual

In season and out: shine

In season and out: treasure to be found

In season and out: Word, work and wonders

In season and out: Knowing God and making God known 

A call for a church wide week of fasting and prayer (25 to 30 June) often sees people running for cover but God honours our paltry efforts as we voice and demonstrate our intent to journey towards finding the Father's heart and banging on the doors of heaven to unlock the healing well of salvation on which we are situated. HE responds with such love; speaks with clarity and encourages us with signs of fruit from the coming harvest.

Emerging miracle

As I bring together the seemingly random events from that week of prayer and fasting I clearly see Gods hand in the emerging cohesion in our initiatives to share the good news of Christ - in a loose and perhaps messy way our silos of "ministry" are coming down and for me as the blog writer this is the emerging miracle that emphasises the elements of many varied contributors and characters; bringing a menu of gifts and talents to create the whole. Equally inspiring is how Jesus becomes so real to those who participate in the way they are designed to do. Quite awesome really! (see also ALL are needed!) I sense it's very important for us not to see the treasure hunt in isolation - but in effect part of an emerging miracle of prayer, fasting, evangalism, discipling, Sunday fellowship/teaching and preaching coming together to give us a glimpse of how the "kingdom on earth" could/should operate.

At our Saturday morning treasure hunt (30 June) the Father prepared us through scriptures, pictures and tips that reinforced the knowledge of His presence and intent. The Father showed us that as believers we are as crystal glasses (the expensive type); gently hand washed by Christ Himself - ready to shine & indeed sparkle with His light and life. We got the sense that the Father really wanted us to feel secure and succeed and two scriptures were given as promises to us to give to those we were to meet. Treasure found (devine appointments made & kept) - there were just too many to actually mention by name as we were literally back to back with people wanting prayer (yes, just coming to the door of H4G) and finding our teasure on the streets and homes.

Isaiah 43 (16 to 21) (NKJV): ............ “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honour Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV): For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

First fruit: is a very churchy word - especially in an urban modern context where we can get fruit and veg on our shelves in season and out - BUT in season and out treasure was found on our high street! Some just came to the door asking for prayer! (See also Prepare for the Spring)

The love of Christ was shared with many, prayers said, divine appointments were clearly evident AND then flowing into Sunday - three Alpha course attendees came to the morning meeting.  One gave testimony to first sign of healing in his right knee, one decided to follow Jesus and one committed to joining in with a house-group. 

A word given that day continued to highlight the Father's heart for us to shine. He has lifted our burden through the work of the cross, He strengthens us through the power of His Holy Spirit and HE calls for us to lift up our heads - for the church to arise and "as the darkness gets darker, the light will shine brighter! We must not become discouraged, frustrated and worried about missing Gods plan. Quite oppositely, we must let our roots establish themselves in this season, pushing down until they tap into the living waters of the Holy Spirit. (See also Open the doors)  

Joy

No seasonal fruit here

In season and out: shine

In season and out: treasure to be found (Treasure to be found)

In season and out: Word, work and wonders

In season and out: Knowing God and making God known

A call to worship: Jubilee, bells and beacons

There has been a massive amount of prophetic chatter about the sound of bells ringing in the heavenlies – some linked to resistance and spiritual warfare with others linking to the message of hope, a call to worship and a call to the “UK” believers in Jesus to awaken from slumber and take hold of God’s intended purposes for this nation.  

When I stumbled upon the story about the launch of the JUBILEE BELLS and the planned Thames pageant my spirit stirred; equally important, which joins a number of prophetic dots, is that following the Thames river pageant (3^rd of June) is the call to light BEACONS whereby a network of over 4000 beacons will be lit by communities and others throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, along with the Commonwealth and UK Overseas Territories on Monday 4th June 2012 – all this activity is loaded with spiritual meaning and significance - this is what has been laid on my heart.

THE EIGHT JUBILEE BELLS

Eight bells have been specially made for the jubilee - a floating belfry on which the huge bells are mounted will be at the head of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant and they will be ringing as they lead a flotilla of 1,000 boats on the River Thames on Sunday 3 June – starting at 3pm. The pageant website says “Expect to see lots of red, white and blue on bridges and buildings along the river bank and hear church bells, fireworks, music and foghorns.” Walls of Jericho ring any bells?

From Battersea Bridge to Tower Bridge it is intended that as the bells chime along the course of the river – land based bells in churches along the route are asked to respond by being rung. A number of Thames riverside towers have announced their intention to ring over the river, and bell towers all over the country and the Commonwealth will also be ringing to coincide with Her Majesty's bidding at this precise time.

Aside from the bells, noise, barges, banners and bunting – biblically there is heaps of symbolism (promises) linked to Jubilee but what really captured my attention is that the number eight (8 bells) is highly significant and is the numeral that indicates superabundance. In Hebrew it is (Sh'moneh), from the root (Shah'meyn), "to make fat," "cover with fat," "to super-abound." As a participle it means "one who abounds in strength.” As seven was so called because the seventh day was the day of completion and rest, so eight, as the eighth day, was over and above this perfect completion, and was indeed the first of a new series, as well as being the eighth.

It is also the number specially associated with Resurrection and Regeneration, and the beginning of a new era or order. Best of ALL = eight is about new beginnings! 

CATCH THE FIRE

Within our fellowship we have had many words from the Lord about new beginnings, the start of the new things of God, breaking through of glass ceilings, wells of salvation, healing and heritage being opened up again - this past Sunday evening was all about the fire of God – key is that we have to ensure our lamps are full of oil and that we are to be totally focused on watching and waiting for the groom as we have to have the oil of His Holy Spirit within us to catch the fire! 

Included in this flow of words has been a clarion reminder about the pre-eminence of Christ Jesus and that this season is about the revelation of Christ, through His Holy Spirit revealing Himself anew to those who believe in Him – for each of us a private Damascus Road experience – ie a one to one with the God of all creation. Jesus, who is KING of KINGs and LORD of LORDs comes without pomp and ceremony - amidst all the noise and activity, we must remind ourselves of HIS SOVEREIGNTY and that we live to serve and worship Him.

It is good to celebrate, to join in parades and street parties but as the bells ring out this Sunday let our hearts respond to the eternal call and welcome the King of Glory, Christ our Lord so that we can catch the fire that will bring resurrection life and light to this island and all associated with the land.

Joy

See also

• Ensure your lamp is full of oil
• Open the house for worship   
• The "church" must leave the building 

THREE SCRIPTURES THAT RING OUT

Psalm 24 (7 to 10)

 “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.  Selah”

Zechariah 2 (3 - 5 and 10 - 13)
³ And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, ⁴ who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. ⁵ For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

¹⁰ “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. ¹¹ “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. ¹² And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. ¹³ Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”

Zechariah 4 (6 & 7)

 ⁶ So he answered and said to me:“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.
⁷ ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

Global prayer focus by Kathie Walters
"While the bells ring on both (for the Olympics as well) occasions, make a declaration and celebration, let's all agree that God will rule and reign in the U.K. Pray for the eyes of the parliament to be opened to see the wiles of the enemy. Pray for the strategies of the enemy to be uncovered and discovered by the Spirit of God. Pray for a spirit of grace and POWER to sweep across the UK just like the bells will be ringing across the country. Pray for God to send forth JOYFUL laborers, not heavy religious ones"

"The Olympic Day bells are an invitation to everyone to visit and partake of this anointing. So grap those bells whatever size and declare the goodness and mercy of the Most High God."

Additonal links to associated prophetic words: 

• Second Wave (Smith Wigglesworth)
• Revival fires (Jean Darnell)
• Bells will be a sign (Beni Johnston)

Joy