“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6b
My favourite thing at the start of autumn is the week of fasting and prayer! There is a sense of a call to focus, and even detox from whatever I allowed myself to eat over the holiday period, especially for those that may have visited foreign destinations offering new menus etc, which is great!
As well, over time, we are seeing more and more people setting aside time to be part of the week of prayer in both the physical meetings and signing up for the 24/7 prayer slots. We are certainly on a journey together, and want you to know that your contribution to these weeks is invaluable. Thank you and well done! We can see the corresponding fruit of your prayers in various aspects of church life, and it’s exciting to know that God is more than ready to do more with us and our prayers!
In the recent years, we have travelled on a defined path of exciting and life transforming prayer times, as well as being equipped to run with the word of God. Thanks to Dan, our lead elder, and the eldership team for their teachings on faith, spiritual warfare, and much more.
Let’s take a moment to recall some of the milestones into our prayer journey so far. Our ultimate purpose has been that of following Jesus, and becoming more like Him. It has been a journey of continual consecration and being set apart for God, servicing the prayer altar, dying to self to be alive in God, and becoming a living sacrifice and a mighty army of warriors that would see and possess the land by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some of the key scriptures for these periods have been Genesis 35, Exodus 28:36, Leviticus 10:1-3, 6:13, Ephesians 5:27, Galatians 2:20, II Corin3:18, Deuteronomy 1:8.
In this week of prayer, we desire to intentionally position ourselves to actively engage with the Holy Spirit. We are passionate about seeing what God sees, and feeling His heartbeat for this season, particularly regarding our vision as a church. The vision of JCC is to enlarge, stretch, lengthen and strengthen our stakes (Isaiah 54) which has been confirmed time and again to our lead elder Dan, and the eldership team, we have no doubt this is of God. To prevail and fulfil this vision, we must make plenty of room for the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8.
Some of us may be surprised to know, but history reveals the fact that the United Kingdom, was founded on strong Christian beliefs and values as a result of significant moves of God through men and women who pursued God relentlessly. We look to take back our land for God, see our communities, and country once again burn for Him.
Through the time of preparation for this prayer week, God has spoken to us about reconciling and restoring His people to Himself through His word in the book of Zechariah. During this time God raised the prophet Zechariah to communicate and demonstrate His passionate and relentless love for His people, and to patiently, draw them back to Himself. The temple and the city of Jerusalem will be completed to fulfil God’s glorious future plans and purposes. They were not to despise the days of small beginnings of an enormous task as the job will be done under God. Similarly, we see ourselves in the place of small beginnings but are so encouraged by God’s dealings with His people. The JCC God given vision shall be fulfilled under God. “…Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. ‘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!” Zechariah 4:6-7 “. Hallelujah!
We will see the kingdom of God come and revival break out in East Grinstead, the surrounding towns and our nation at large by the hand and unfailing purposes of God.
We want you to know that, like logs for fire, you are a vital part of the prayer altar at JCC, whose fire must not run out. The only way to keep the fire burning is by persistent PRAYER!
So, why don’t you put this week of prayer and fasting (Monday 15th to Sunday 21st September) in your diary, take time off work, and prepare to encounter God, and to fellowship gainfully with one another? Your life will not remain the same as you do.
Amen.
by Grace Orkar
