Virgin of Vladimir (+ image by the hand of Stephen Allison 2008)

Monday 25 February 2013

40 Days For Life - Prayers Day 15 to Day 21




Day 15

Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14: 27

Lord, help me to make my attitude toward the mothers and fathers of the unborn who are desperate enough to contemplate abortion one of humility, empathy, and love rather than of judgment. Help me to understand that those who work in the abortion industry often began that work with the best of intentions and may be personally dismayed by abortion itself. Remind me of my own sins you have graciously forgiven so that I remember that forgiveness is possible for all who are willing to repent of their sins and truly believe. Amen.



Day 16

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103: 8– 12

Lord, I thank you for the Charlies of the world— people who have acknowledged their wrongdoing, have sought forgiveness for it, and now model for the rest of us the life of the sinner saved by grace, living in humble thanks for that forgiveness. Help all of us in the pro-life movement to see a potential Charlie in each of the young mothers and fathers who approach abortion centres as we stand and pray on the sidewalks. And help me to become more like Charlie myself. Amen.



Day 17

Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame. Psalm 6: 8– 10

Lord, sometimes I say “It feels like forty years, not forty days. Is it ever going to end?” Remind me then that you haven’t forsaken me or our common struggle to save lives from abortion, and that in the end your will will be done. The enemies of that struggle will be ashamed and dismayed, forced to turn back in disgrace. But better yet, you have given us, through your power, Lord, the possibility of turning enemies into allies and friends. Give me that opportunity today. Amen.



Day 18

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5: 11– 12

Almighty Father, you allowed your Son to face persecution and ultimately death, and I know that no slave is above his master. Help me be a light in a culture that is trying so hard to forget about your love and sacrifice. I pray for all Christians around the world who are facing persecution for your sake today, no matter what the reason. May your name be glorified through their temporary humiliation. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.



Day 19

On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day— a day known only to the Lord— with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light. Zechariah 14: 6– 7

Lord God, help me to see you working in the midst of my earthly discomforts. Give me strength as I grow weary, because I know that persistent prayer can overcome any cold, heat, or persecution. And may I trust you with all results, for you alone have the power to end abortion. Amen



Day 20

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. Proverbs 24: 11

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6: 12

Lord, make me a vessel of hope to all around me so that as I engage in the difficult work ahead and endure the painful realities of our culture’s rejection of the sanctity of human life, I may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that no one can take from me. Amen.



Day 21

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38– 39

God, I pray today for the strength to react against the overwhelming circumstances the world presents. I am on earth to serve eternity, and I must keep heaven at the front of my mind in the midst of the many distractions and comforts the world offers that can separate me from you, Lord. Help me to place my confidence in your love, for your love overcomes all things and reunites this broken world with you. Amen.



Bereit, David; Carney, Shawn (2013-01-17). 40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done...Imagine What He Can Do (Kindle Locations 2449-2450). Cappella Books. Kindle Edition.





Thursday 14 February 2013

40 Days For Life - Prayers Day 8 to Day 14





Day 8

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. Isaiah 35: 1– 7

Dear Lord, I pray these verses from Isaiah for women who have suffered an abortion. They know the desert. Their souls are parched, their knees give way, their hearts are fearful. Do for them, Lord, what you have done for Katherine, Andrea, and so many other thousands of women. Open their eyes and ears, quench their thirst, fill them until they are bursting with your life and shouting for joy. Use me, Lord, in whatever way you will, to invite them to your streams in the desert. Amen.

Day 9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6: 9

Dear Lord, help me to accept your timetable rather than insisting on my own and to not be discouraged when the two don’t coincide. When I face frustrations, roadblocks, disappointments, and persecution in my attempts to do your work, as I surely will, help me to not simply bear them but to rejoice in them, because they are what strengthen me and help me to grow to be more like your Son. It is no small privilege to participate with him in his sufferings— even in this small way. Amen.

Day 10

And God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place. 2 Chronicles 30: 27

Lord, the psalms are full of stories of times when David’s enemies came against him, but you interceded on his behalf and confounded the efforts of those enemies so that the things they thought would defeat David defeated them instead. I pray today that you would confound the efforts of those who destroy innocent human life and those who try to thwart the volunteers who stand and pray for the unborn. Let their efforts to defeat us work against them instead. And when they fail, open their eyes to see that they failed not because they opposed us but because they opposed you. Amen.

Day 11

If my people, who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7: 14

Dear Lord, as you lead me into the spiritual struggle this verse calls your people to, remind me that the battle is truly yours. Thank you for equipping me with your armour. Lead me daily to put it on! Thank you for allowing me to serve under your command and for hearing my requests for direction and protection. Amen.

Day 12
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit— fruit that will last. John 15: 16

Lord, thank you for the many heroes of the pro-life movement— those who have taken brave, principled stands and, in many cases, have paid a high price for it. Thank you for the inspiring leaders who have roused, empowered, and motivated the movement. But help me to also recognise the unsung and often hidden heroes who labour anonymously on the sidewalks, in pregnancy resource centres and pro-life organisations, through one-on-one advocacy— those whose names I don’t know and whose faces I may never see but who make up an indispensable part of the pro-life movement. Remind me to celebrate and affirm both types of heroes whenever I come across them. Amen.

Day 13

For he says, “In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6: 2

Lord, today I pray for a sense of urgency to defend your unborn children. Every abortion ends the unrepeatable life of an innocent human being made in your image and likeness. Protect me against indifference and renew in me the hope that at any moment your grace and witness can work to save a life so close to being lost. Today is the day of salvation, and in you I place my hope! Amen.

Day 14

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19: 26

Dear Lord, I pray your holy word today. Now to you who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within us, to you, O Lord, be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen.




Bereit, David; Carney, Shawn (2013-01-17). 40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done...Imagine What He Can Do (Kindle Locations 1784-1785). Cappella Books. Kindle Edition.

Saturday 9 February 2013

40 Days for Life - Prayers Day 1 to Day 7





Starts on Ash Wednesday 13th February 2013

Day 1

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12: 9-12

Heavenly Father, fill me with your zeal and fan the flame of my spiritual fervour, so that my heart is aligned with your heart. You are the God of life and the giver of life. You create life in the mother’s womb. Every life is precious to you, fearfully and wonderfully made. For each of these next forty days, dear Lord, keep me joyful in hope and faithful in prayer for the unborn and for all those affected by the tragedy of abortion. Amen.

Day 2

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2: 1– 4

Dear Lord, you have given me encouragement, comfort, and love. You gave me life. You formed me in my mother’s womb, protected my life, and brought me into this world, just as you did for every member of our human family. Help me to be your ambassador on this earth. Stir my soul, Lord, with your tenderness and compassion. Show me how you would have me look to the interests of others, born and unborn, even when I cannot imagine what difference I can make. Amen.

Day 3

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8– 9

Father, never let me doubt your power to accomplish your will. And remind me to not try to limit the breadth and grandeur of your vision. My dreams and aspirations may be modest, but yours are sweeping, majestic, and awe-inspiring. Give me the courage to dream big along with you. Amen.

Day 4

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.Hebrews 12: 1– 2

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways you provide for me. For your daily provision of food, shelter, and other of life’s necessities that, even if it doesn’t come easily, does come when I need it. Thank you for the provision you make when I’m called to special challenges, such as 40 Days for Life. Continue to meet the needs of 40 Days for Life for financial support and for the energy and emotional resilience to stand and pray for long hours, often in the face of adversity. Help me to not take your provision for granted but rather to feel anew a humble and loving gratitude each time I experience it. Amen.

Day 5

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 1-2

Dear Lord, give me the strength to set aside my own fears, desires, aspirations, and plans and conform to your perfect will. Help me with priorities— when it’s a choice between some new comfort or diversion for myself and the possibility of saving a life, help me see that choice in clear terms. And remind me to be grateful for all you’re already doing, not only for me and my loved ones but for the unborn and the desperate families searching for answers. Help them to find the right ones. Amen.


Day 6
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name,there am I with them.” Matthew 18: 19– 20

Dear Lord, you know what holds me back. It’s easy to tell myself that I am too insignificant to make a difference, especially when you call me out of my comfort zone. I confess, Lord, that all too often I have trouble seeing past the rain on my windshield and forget— or even worse, don’t even believe— that you have a grand, eternal plan and that you call me to play my part in it. Today I pray for your strength in the simple obedience to step out no matter what the world thinks of me. And I ask you to give me the boldness to play my part in your work of saving lives. Amen.


Day 7

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 1– 8

Dear Lord, your love is so far above my own, I confess that I am not sure how to love people I’ve never met. But your Word says we love because you first loved us (1 John 4: 19). You love each woman entering and leaving every abortion facility. As I read the voices of some of those women today, I could sense their loss and pain. Today, I pray for the women in my town who have gone through the painful experience of abortion. I thank you for the people you have called to the front lines to stand and pray and be a witness that you love us all. Increase my love for those women today, Lord, and give me the boldness to take the next step in showing your love to them in concrete ways. Amen.




Bereit, David; Carney, Shawn (2013-01-17). 40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done...Imagine What He Can Do (Kindle Locations 1035-1038). Cappella Books. Kindle Edition.

Friday 8 February 2013

Do not be feeble

Notes of Praise & Intercession Meeting 29 January 2013

We received  a word in tongues which came with a sense of the Lord's Power and Light

The tongue was interpreted as "Do not be feeble."

Picture of everyone drawn to a large fire on top of a mountain as we walked through the valley to get to the foothills we could feel eyes of hidden ones upon us. Some were in chains calling out in extreme pain, others moaned in some kind of depressive stupor unable to think straight or even walk they were weakened and thirsty unaware of the light at the top of the mountain.
We climbed and eventually reached the top. All were on there knees praying and then a gentle breeze blew tongues of fire on to each  person. All stood up praising God and all felt a complete Joy in God , an overwhelming love of God and a great peace that nothing could penetrate.
We all started to go back down the mountain skipping from rock to rock, without fear when we arrived in the valley streams of hurting people were drawn out to the light of the fire within us. Our joy, our peace, our love encompassed and emboldened by the Holy Spirit's fire drew them to us. Each person prayed with a sick person and the light dispelled the darkness within them. God's Spirit moved and they were healed. Their chains were broken, their limbs straightened, their eyes could see, the clanging in their hearts and minds quietened and real thoughts returned to them, sound reasoning within them and an almighty gratitude to God the Father, Christ Jesus His Son and The Holy Spirit was felt in each heart. It was as though a sick part of one body was completely healed and all worked in unison again.


Psalm 27 v 13-14
13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.


Let us not be feeble in our prayers we are called to be strong in our prayers of intercession for those in the darkness, those who are bound and in need of healing both physical and spiritually. Lord strengthen us in your Spirit to fulfil our calling to intercede for those in need of You.

Tuesday 5 February 2013

40 Days for Life

Something we can do this Lent:
Pray for Life



40 Days for Life is starting on 13 February and will continue to 24 March.
http://www.40daysforlife.com/london/

See the book at Amazon: 40 Days for Life: Discover What God Has Done...Imagine What He Can Do
http://www.amazon.co.uk/40-Days-Life-Done-Imagine-ebook/dp/B00B2TZ242/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360059791&sr=1-1#_