Praying Together

Below you'll find three sections to help as we pray together about the ministry and mission of St Denys Church, in the context of a number of changes, and from the foundation of the Bible verse 'In quietness and trust is your strength'

1. The Bible verse in it wider context
2. Themes to focus on each week
   
3. An approach to praying that involves looking, leaning in and listening

1) The Bible Verse:

Our Bible passage for the year is part of a larger passage in Isaiah where the prophet is speaks to Israel of God's judgement and God's character. You might want to read it slowly & prayerfully as you come to pray. Notice what strikes you each time you read it.

Isaiah 30: 15-18: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. 16 You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift! 17 A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” 18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

2) Themes for each week:

•  July 6th: The Site & Community Connections
• July 13th: Across the Generations
• July 20th: Ways of Worshipping & Deepening
• July 27th: (TBC) - let's see what God lays on our heart to pray for...

3) An approach to praying:

I'd encourage us to do three things as we pray:

• Look - at what the situations, the people, the activities we're focusing on. And look to see signs of God at work. Let's thank him for all he has done and is doing.
• Lean in - notice any concerns, issues or needs that come to mind. Name them to God, and picture yourself (and us as a church community) leaning on God in our dependency on him
• Listen - ask God to speak to you, to show his heart, his desire and his guidance. Notice what comes to mind - it might be an image, a word, a Bible verse. 

It would be good to keep a record of particular themes, pictures or words that God brings to us during this month, so that they shape and form our ministry and mission in coming months. Therefore if there's something that God lays on your heart, please email me serarumble@gmail.com. And we'll bring it to the discipleship vision group to pray and reflect on.