Let’s get praying! There are loads of events going on throughout Prayer Week across the Woodlands Group of Churches. To find out more on what’s happening at Woodies check out our Prayer page here
Prayer Week!
The Wholeness Course
The Wholeness Course is a 6 week course which helps people to find God’s love, healing and forgiveness.
For more information and to register your place please click here
Alpha Course starting soon - Wed 23rd Jan
Alpha is a brilliant way of investigating the Christian faith for yourself. The evening starts with a meal at 7.30pm, followed by an informative and entertaining talk, then the chance to ask any questions you might have in a small group. To sign up click here Everyoine is welcome!
Love Running 2019 - Philip Jinadu
January 13th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Jesus. Luke 11.1-13 (c.f. Matthew 6:5-14) Love Running 2019.
The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. Pre-eminent of course is Jesus himself. The one thing we read his disciples asking him to teach them is to pray. In Luke 11 Jesus does this, not just in the great and universal prayer of the Church, the Lord’s prayer, but on in the following verses about the spirit in which we petition God. Download Discussion notes
Love Running 2019 Launch
Love Running will take place on Sunday May 5th as those who are 15+ take part in the Bristol 10K.
Junior Love Running will happen on Sunday 19th May for all children under 15.
For more details visit loverunning.info
Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul - Tim Dobson
January 6th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul. (Ephesians. 1:16-23/3:14-21)
The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. Paul was clearly a great man of prayer and encouraged in his letters those in his Churches to follow his example in. Paul helpfully often tells his readers what he is praying for them. Do you ever do the same, tell family, friends and colleagues not just that you are praying for them, but what you are praying for them? Download Discussion notes / Download Handout
Podcast 7pm: Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul - Tim Dobson
January 6th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul. (Ephesians. 1:16-23/3:14-21)
The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. Paul was clearly a great man of prayer and encouraged in his letters those in his Churches to follow his example in. Paul helpfully often tells his readers what he is praying for them. Do you ever do the same, tell family, friends and colleagues not just that you are praying for them, but what you are praying for them? Download Discussion notes / Download Handout
Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul - Rachel Riddall
January 6th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul. (Ephesians. 1:16-23/3:14-21)
The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. Paul was clearly a great man of prayer and encouraged in his letters those in his Churches to follow his example in. Paul helpfully often tells his readers what he is praying for them. Do you ever do the same, tell family, friends and colleagues not just that you are praying for them, but what you are praying for them? Download Discussion notes
Podcast 11am: Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul - Rachel Riddall
January 6th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Paul. (Ephesians. 1:16-23/3:14-21)
The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. Paul was clearly a great man of prayer and encouraged in his letters those in his Churches to follow his example in. Paul helpfully often tells his readers what he is praying for them. Do you ever do the same, tell family, friends and colleagues not just that you are praying for them, but what you are praying for them? Download Discussion notes
Fasting and a hunger for God
I’m not sure how you feel when you hear the words “Spiritual Disciplines”? It can sound a bit hard core and demanding. I like the way Wesley describes Spiritual Disciplines as “Means of Grace”. God has so much grace available to us. Grace to forgive, heal, give peace, bring freedom and purpose etc. Things like Bible reading, prayer, worship, solitude and simplicity are the means by which we can receive God’s grace. We can’t earn God’s grace but we can position ourselves to receive it more readily. Fasting is one of these “Means of Grace”.
1. What is fasting?
It is NOT Asceticism (treating our body badly because it is “sinful and dirty”) or Hunger strike (twisting God’s arm to add extra pressure to our prayers) We abstain from physical food because we know that we desperately need spiritual sustenance. Fasting is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. It’s like a physical prayer.
2. Examples of Biblical fasting include
Moses, David, Elijah, Ninevites, Esther, Daniel, Anna, Paul & Jesus (Further reading Esther 4v16, Acts 9v9, Deut 9v9, 1 Kings 19v8 Dan 1v15, 10v3, 1Cor 7v 5)
3. Jesus’ Teaching
Jesus never insisted that his disciples fast BUT...
Matt 6: 16 ‘When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
“When you fast” not “if”
Matt 9: 14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’ 15 Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
“...then they will fast” (Feast when Jesus is present, fast when He’s absent)
4. Fasting brings “reward”
As with all spiritual discipline they have a “reward”. This could include a closer relationship with God, an increased sense of His presence, breakthrough in healing, etc (further reading Isaiah 58v1-11, Judges 20, Mark 9: 29, Daniel 9, Acts 13: 2, 1Cor 9: 27, 1Pet 2: 11)
In Matthew 6 Jesus mentioned three spiritual disciplines (Means of Grace) and explains if we do these there is a reward from our heavenly Father
When you give to the needy...
When you pray...
When you fast...
and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
You may regularly give, and you may regularly pray, so why not regularly fast*? You could try a day or two (or a meal or two) during this Prayerweek!
(*If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or have an issue with food, do seek advice before fasting)
Prayer Week 2019 starts Jan 20th
January 2019 Prayer Week 20th-27th.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Paul, in Colossians 4:2.
Introduction.
Each January we dedicate a week to prayer and fasting. It's a great opportunity at the beginning of a year, with new possibilities and opportunities, to carve out some extra time to pray - for ourselves, those we care about, our church, our city and our world with its great needs. For some of us this will be easy, for others it may feel a bit intimidating! Our hope is that this week everyone will take a step forward in prayer and find a way to join in. When Jesus’ disciples saw him pray, their response was, "Jesus, teach us how to pray." That's a great prayer for us as we head into prayer week, because our prayers change the world and they change us too as we draw near to Jesus.
"Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness." Martin Luther.
Events.
Sunday 20th. Our evening service launches Prayer Week where we will spend some time praying together for our church, city and world.
24/7 Prayer Room opens at midnight on Sunday 20th. It's a prepared, interactive space that will help you pray, themed around 'Breakthrough!' Book an hour slot here and you will be sent the details of how to access the room.
Monday-Friday, 7.:5-8.:5am Early Morning Prayer in the Foyer. A great way to start the day. Each morning we will be praying for Woodies and we will include a different city focus, too. There will be tea and coffee!
Tuesday 22nd 7:45-9:30pm Prayer Watch in the main hall, with a focus on praying for the next generation. Come with your pastorate/small group/on your own for a powerful, interactive evening of prayer and worship.
Friday 25th. Late night Worship and Prayer event, 10-12.00pm led by Woodies worship team, main hall. Join us as we welcome the Holy Spirit, worship and pray.
4 Other things to help us pray during the week.
1. Look out for a daily prayer video each morning on facebook/twitter/instagram from one of our different congregations helping you to pray for WGoC around the city.
2. Try using Rob’s A4 Prayer Plan. Available to download here, we'll have hard copies too, to help you pray this week and beyond.
3. Midday Prayer. Wherever you are, set your alarm to go off at Midday and take a moment to pray the Lord's Prayer.
4. Take some time to fast and pray this week. Find our useful guide to fasting here.
Supernatural Breakthrough - Rob Scott-Cook
December 30th 2018: Supernatural Breakthrough - Rob Scott-Cook