ARISE BRISTOL
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem,
and makes her the praise of the earth.” Isaiah 62:6, 7.
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Dear friends,
Greetings to you all as we approach Pentecost Sunday!
Below is a 10 day Prayer Journey adapted from a Global Day of Prayer guide. As we send this to you, it is hoped that the momentum of prayer will continue beyond the ten specified days, throughout Pentecost and beyond into all the Lord has planned for us here in Bristol in the days, weeks and months ahead - especially as we prepare for the Jubilee celebrations, the Olympics, the National prayer gathering at Wembley on 29th Sept and our Mayoral elections later this year
As we pray, may God transform us and prepare us for Pentecost and all that lies beyond...
Abundant blessings,
Sheena Tranter
& the Arise Bristol team
Pentecost Sunday
27 May 2012
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14
“And I am about to come and gather all nations and tongues and they will come and see My Glory: Isaiah 66:18
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14:
Following the example of the first believers who "joined together constantly" in prayer (Acts 1:14) until the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Global Day of Prayer is calling Christians from all nations to unite in prayer.
Ten days of constant prayer: 17 – 26 May 2012.Starting on the 17th, millions of Christians will find ways to pray night and day throughout the ten days leading from Christ’s Ascension to Pentecost Sunday, following the pattern of Christ's followers before the first Pentecost.
Pentecost Sunday (The Global Day of Prayer): 27 May 2012. Christians in many countries will assemble to pray. Many will gather in small groups such as prayer groups, homes, local churches, businesses and some may even assemble in large stadiums and other public venues.
ARISE BRISTOL
A PRAYER GUIDE
Ten Days of Constant Prayer
17 - 26 May 2012
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth". Isaiah 62:6-7
The 10 Days preceding Arise Bristol on Pentecost Sunday creates an excellent opportunity to unite in prayer with thousands across Bristol and millions around the globe based on Acts 1 & 2.
As Christians in Bristol, let us join the Global Christian community in united prayer to bring transformational blessing to our City,
our nation and the world.
Gather in creative ways.
Many are forming prayer chains to build bonfires of 24-hours-a-day prayer. Others will meet for an hour or two of focused prayer. Some will be fasting. Look for how the Holy Spirit may give you fresh ways to pray with family and friends.
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.” Luke 24:46-49
Wait for the promise of the Father.
The disciples were told to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit before they begin to spread the message concerning Jesus as the Christ, the promised Messiah. The promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. In one sense, this fulfilment can never come again in the same way that it came at that first Pentecost. In another sense we need to wait for the Father to fulfil His promise in us in our generation on a daily basis.
It is critical that we remember that the Spirit in us is not merely a power at our disposal. The Spirit is the real living presence and the power of the Father working in and through us. The disciples felt helpless to meet their enemies, or to preach about the Christ, until they were empowered with power from on high! We too can only be witnesses in our generation if we also receive the power of the Holy Spirit that can empower us to do things that are impossible in our own strength.
God promises that those who wait on Him will be filled with the same power to spread the same message to all nations who are alive on earth today. As you spend time in prayer each day reflect on the promises given by Jesus concerning the work of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to demonstrate this power in and through you, and in and through the lives of everyone in this city who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord.
History can be repeated. As part of our waiting on God to fulfil His promise to us once again, let us read and meditate on the Book of Acts. See how this promise was fulfilled and what effect it had on the early Church, on their lifestyle, their conduct towards one another and their mission to reach the whole world with this message of repentance and forgiveness as they experienced it being worked out in their own lives.
Set your heart and mind to wait for the promise of the Father!
Please use the following prayer guide, keeping the various Spheres of Influence in the City in mind
Day 1 : 17 May 2012
Baptize us!
WAIT FOR THE PROMISE
[Jesus said:] “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 1:5)
PRAY:
-
For believers to join together in united and persevering prayer to once again wait on God for the fulfilment of His promise
-
For a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our generation, on men and women, young and old, rich and poor, literate and illiterate, rulers and servants
-
For the Church in Bristol to repent of incidences where we quenched or disobeyed the Spirit through unbelief
Read and meditate on Acts 1 and 2Pray for the Sport Sphere
Day 2 : 18 May 2012
Empower us!
BE MY WITNESSES
[Jesus said:] “You will receive power…” Acts 1:8
PRAY:
-
For believers to become living testimonies of God’s salvation, forgiveness and deliverance in a very troubled and needy world
-
For the restoration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Church so that every believer can minister God’s power to a hurting, disillusioned and corrupt world
-
For the Church in Bristol to repent of dead works and for allowing the world to infiltrate, dictate and intimidate our witness
Pray for a Spirit-empowered army of Christian witnesses in Bristol.
Read and meditate on Acts 3,4 and 5 Pray for the Health Sphere
Day 3 : 19 May 2012
Sanctify us!
BE HOLY AS I AM HOLY
[Jesus said:] “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” John 15:16
PRAY:
-
For the Church to grow in maturity and be released in ministry through the faithful work of apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists
-
For the revival of holiness, humility, simplicity and integrity in the Church in Bristol
-
For the world to see the reflection of Christ in the lives of ordinary believers in every aspect of society and in acts of selfless compassion
Pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to do His cleansing work in this city.
Read and meditate on Acts 6,7 and 8 Pray for the Education Sphere
Day 4 : 20 May 201
Guide us!
KNOW THE TRUTH
[Jesus said:] “He [the Spirit of Truth] will guide you into all the truth.” John 16:13
PRAY:
-
For the Church to proclaim the undiluted and uncompromising truth about Jesus Christ and the fact that there is no salvation but in His Name
-
For Christians to be strengthened in their knowledge of Jesus Christ, for deceptions to be exposed and for ignorance to be removed
-
For the veil that the god of this world put on the minds of unbelievers to be removed through the testimony of Christians and the truth of the Gospel message
Read and meditate on Acts 9,10 and 11 Pray for the Political Sphere
Day 5 : 21 May 2012
Convict us!
REPENT AND BELIEVE
[Jesus said:] “When He [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8
PRAY:
-
For anointed teaching and preaching to pierce the hearts of unbelievers, hard-hearted sinners and backslidden Christians and bring them to repentance
-
For the world to experience God’s kindness through a Church who loves unconditionally, without judgment, criticism or arrogance
-
For Christians to deny themselves, to submit and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit
Pray for thousands in this City to be saved as a result of faithful witnessing by motivated people.
Read and meditate on Acts 12,13 and 14 Pray for the Family Sphere
Day 6 : 22 May 2012
Comfort us!
TAKE HEART, I HAVE OVERCOME
[Jesus said:] “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper [Comforter].” John 14:16
PRAY:
-
For strength, perseverance, grace and joy for Christians who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ
-
For the salvation of the interrogators, the politicians, religious leaders and the judges who order persecution of believers
-
For Christians to persevere when subjected to all kinds of suffering, poverty, oppression, mocking, injustice, sicknesses, etc. for the sake of Christ and His kingdom
Witnessing in some spheres is becoming more and more difficult. Pray for those witnessing in hostile situations. Please continue to pray for open doors and opportunities.
Read and meditate on Acts 15,16 and 17 Pray for the Arts Sphere
Day 7 : 23 May 2012
Unite us!
BE ONE SO THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE
[Jesus prayed:] “…that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:21
PRAY:
-
For a deep work of the Spirit to join and reconcile the hearts of believers across races, languages and cultures to become one new man in Christ
-
For the Church to bear with one another in love, to eagerly maintain unity and to really become one Body, one in Spirit, one in hope, one in faith, with one Father and one Lord
-
For the Church to unite in finishing the task of World Evangelism, to share resources and to appreciate the different callings and gifts God placed in the Body of Christ
Pray that Christian believers in Bristol will overcome cultural, geographical, denominational and professional 'boundaries' and be united as One body in Christ.
Read and meditate on Acts 18,19 and 20 Pray for Media Sphere
Day 8 : 24 May 2012
Deliver us!
OPEN THEIR EYES
[Jesus said:] “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26:18
PRAY:
-
For Christ’s victory on the cross over all the power of Satan, demonic principalities and spirits, to be boldly and fearlessly proclaimed to all people groups, languages and nations
-
For people to be delivered from bondages, for covenants made with spirits of death and destruction to be annulled and for lies to be exposed
-
For divine revelation of the truth concerning Jesus Christ to those who are in any form of idolatry, secularism, atheism or deception
Pray for Christians in Bristol to experience and proclaim the victory of the cross over sin, satan and the world.
Read and meditate on Acts 21, 22 and 23 Pray for the Business Sphere
Day 9 : 25 May 2012
Teach us to pray!
BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER
[Jesus said:] “…will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?” Luke 18:7
PRAY:
-
For the Church to believe that we have a God who answers prayer and persevere in supplication and thanksgiving
-
For understanding of how to wait on God for His counsel and how to unite in prayer with the Holy Spirit in His intercession
-
For the Church to understand the urgency of the times, to lay aside all hindrances and to confidently draw near to the throne of grace to plead for grace and mercy for ourselves, our communities and the nations of our world
Pray for 'Houses of Prayer' to be established and strengthened in homes, churches, schools and workplaces across the Bristol region.
Read and meditate on Acts 24, 25 and 26Pray for the Church in Bristol and it’s Leaders
Day 10 : 26 May 2012
Set us apart!
GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PROCLAIM
“While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me…” Acts 13:2
PRAY:
-
For the Church to be obedient to the call of the Holy Spirit to send labourers to the harvest fields
-
For the spiritual, emotional, physical and financial provision and support for those who heeded the call and are serving in any cross-cultural setting
-
For doors to open in countries hostile to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for workers to be granted long-term visas and jobs, and for divine appointments to share the Gospel
Pray for a multiplication of abandoned labourers available to gather in the harvest
Read and meditate on Acts 27 and 28 Pray for the Harvest here in Bristol!
Arise Bristol
Pentecost Sunday
27 May 2012
Pray with one Voice.
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together In one place"
Acts 2:1
This is your opportunity to unify in prayer with Christians from across the globe.
“They lifted their voices to God with one accord...”
Acts 4:24
On this day we are all praying with different cultures and denominations as we pray for the world.
A Prayer for the World
Almighty God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
We gather with believers all over the world,
to glorify You as Creator of heaven and earth.
You alone are holy and righteous.
We submit to Your authority.
We praise and adore You alone.
Father, we honour You
Lord Jesus Christ, we honour You
Holy Spirit, we honour You
Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for loving the world so much
that You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ,
to die on the cross for our sins
so that we could be reconciled to You.
Fill us with your love as we faithfully intercede for the lost,
the hopeless, the helpless and the world.
Thank You Father, for adopting us into Your family.Lord Jesus Christ,
You died on the cross and
redeemed us to the Father by Your blood.
You are Head of the Church
and Lord of all heaven and earth.
Let Your kingdom be established in every nation of the world;
bring transformation among peoples of all tribes and languages,
so that righteousness and justice will prevail.
May Your Name be great, from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Jesus Christ, You are Lord of all.
Father of mercy and grace,
We have sinned.
Our world is gripped by the power of sin.
Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred and violence.
We are shamed by oppression, racism and bloodshed in our land.
We mourn all loss of life in murder, war and terrorism.
Our homes are broken and our churches are divided by rebellion and pride.
Our lives are polluted by selfishness, greed, idolatry and sexual sin.
God of mercy, forgive our sins.
Pour out Your grace and heal our land.
Spirit of the living God,
Transform Your Church into the image of Jesus Christ.
Release Your power to bring healing to the sick,
freedom to the oppressed and comfort to those who mourn.
Fill us with compassion
for the homeless and the hungry
for orphans, widows and the elderly.
Give us wisdom and insight for our world’s problems
to use the resources of the earth for the well-being of all.
Holy Spirit, guide us and lead us.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You destroyed sin, conquered death and defeated Satan.
Remove the veil of darkness that covers the peoples.
Restrain the evil that promotes violence and death.
Deliver us from demonic oppression.
Break the hold of slavery, tyranny and disease.
Help us to tear down strongholds and ideologies
that resist the knowledge of God.
Almighty God, deliver us from evil.
King of Glory,
Come and finish Your work in our cities, our peoples and our nations.
From all continents and islands we cry:
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Be lifted up ancient doors
so that the King of glory may come in!
Come fill the earth with the knowledge of Your glory
as the waters cover the sea.
The Spirit and the Bride say:
Amen! Come Lord Jesus!