What will you be praying for yourself this year? What will you be praying for your friends and family? For your church? They’re questions worth asking at the start of a new year.
The wonder of prayer
Prayer is no mere duty. It’s not dry drudgery or talking into the air. Prayer is one of the most encouraging, inspiring and hope-building activities a Christian can engage in.
- Prayer is such a privilege. To think that mere humans like us can have direct access to our Heavenly Father. The God who has lavished us with grace and mercy, delights in hearing our voice, to see us running into his arms and asking for what is on our hearts – all because of the work of the Son, and in the power of the Spirit.
- Prayer accesses great power. We do not have the strength to change much – nor do our words, though they have some impact – but the recipient of our prayers, God, he is the LORD, the sovereign One whose authority stretches across the universe. As we talk to him, he listens, he acts – and does so in the ways he knows to be best.
- Prayer is deeply personal. As we engage in it, we deepen our relationship with the One who adores us. Like a toddler, running to daddy, we show our dependence and love as we turn to him. And as we pray, we come to understand him more, to trust him more – even when his answers to our prayers are not what we might choose.
- Prayer is perspective-giving. It reminds us that God is God and we are not. It shows us that in all circumstances, on all days, he is the One we need most. Without him, we have no strength, no direction – our actions are empty. In Him, is hope.
- Prayer enables us to persevere. With God in view, in his strength, with his priorities, in his presence, we can keep going – following our Shepherd wherever he leads. Even when the paths are hard.
No wonder then, that Paul writes: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12). It may at times feel really hard, but prayer is essential for all those who want to flourish in their faith. Prayer is important for all those who want the people around them to know true hope.
The Partnership of Prayer
At the start of this new year, we at BCUK would love to invite you to join with us in praying. Praying for yourself – praying for your church – praying for us in our work too.
If you are struggling to pray, we have some devotions for you to download here.
If you are longing to pray for suffering friends, we hope you will continue to engage with our recent book: 5 Things to Pray for a Suffering Friend.
And, if you are willing, we would love you to join with us for a week of prayer. Each day bringing an aspect of the work of BCUK to the Lord. You can click the image below to download a copy of the prayer guide for the whole of next week, or follow us on social media for daily prompts:
Monday 6th
Pray for the staff at BCUK – that our hearts will remain devoted to the Lord, that we will labour in humble dependence, and that all we do will bring glory to Christ’s name.
Tuesday 7th
Pray for the 142 students about to begin studying Certificate Programme courses over 6 months – and their tutors and graders – that God would grow their knowledge and understanding.
Wednesday 8th
Pray for the speakers preparing for the national conference in March – that they will speak faithfully, and help churches care well for those who have experienced trauma.
Thursday 9th
Pray for our website, and those who look after it, that it will be a source of hope and help to many individuals and congregations in the UK and further afield.
Friday 10th
Pray that our current interns will know the Lord’s sustaining hand and see real fruitfulness from their work. Pray for wisdom as new people consider applying to be interns this year.
Saturday 11th
Pray with thanks for all those who support BCUK with their time, money and prayers. Pray that the Lord would raise up new partners in the gospel.
Sunday 12th
Pray for each church – and network – that has a training event with a BCUK team member coming up. Pray they will be blessed, equipped and encouraged by the visit.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Thank you for your prayers.
