Week Five, Saturday

"We want to invite God to heal, bring wholeness to families, and reverse the poverty trends. People live so close together, we need to pray into neighbour conflict. Pray against crime, open drug dealing, domestic violence. But also pray we'll bring out the 'God-colours' on estates, the good things that are already happening." - Rev Mark Bishop, Pioneer of Missional Communities, Diocese of London

Week Five, Friday

"Open your heart to God, and invite him to stir up a passion for mission in your own community. What small kindnesses would make a difference to people around you? Pray too that Christians on London's estates would be inspired to demonstrate the love of Jesus."

Week Five, Thursday

"London City Mission has teams on estates from the Isle of Dogs to Battersea, Becontree to Tottenham. We knock on doors, run kids' clubs, organise Bible studies and love people in the name of Jesus. Pray we can create strong, inclusive, intergenerational communities with Christ at the centre."

Week Five, Wednesday

"Estate residents live cheek by jowl, but so many feel isolated and lonely, hemmed in by their own fears and distrust of those around them. Pray that Christians would be lynchpins in communities, linking neighbours together and sharing God's love openly."

Please also be praying for my family as we run around on a bit of a vacation before I finish preparing to leave. Pray for safety for all of us, and for us to be emotionally ready when the time comes.

Week Five, Tuesday

"Call on the Lord to break cycles of violence and abuse within families, particularly where children are affected. Pray for restoration of relationships, and for children living on estates to know love, protection and care. Ask God to give wisdom to our missionaries caring for broken families."

Week Five, Monday

"More than 20 people, aged 19 to 90, come to a Bible study before the weekly community lunch at London City Mission's Centre in Becontree, North East London. The team are currently reading through John's gospel and can see people are starting to take it seriously. Please pray they would make Christ known through everything they do."

Week Five, Sunday

"Lift up to God the many individuals and organisations involved in urban and estate ministry; as well as our missionaries, think of the Eden Network, Evangelical Alliance and the Church of England. Ask God to bless and deepen our partnerships with churches on estates."

Praise - We made it home safely yesterday.

No, you have not hit a weird time warp.

Yes, prayers for Wednesday through Saturday are up.

In case anyone was worried they had caught a bad case of the Rip Van Winkles, it is still Wednesday here in Colorado for at least a few minutes. (Or was before this edit.)

I'm posting early because I'm going to be out of state (Just the one, not all fifty) for the next few days. Some friends of mine are moving from Texas and could use a hand. I'll be driving down with a few others tomorrow, working Friday, and driving back Saturday.

It has been quite the week. Samuel and Peter, the two oldest of my younger brothers, are off for second-helpings of helping at Camp Barnabas (Hi guys!). Meanwhile, the rest of us have been having a grand old time. Highlights include:

- Watching the Olympics

- Grandma and Grandpa visiting

- Rescuing a lost kitten

- Continuously planning to skirt the alpaca fiber

- Me getting cocky about my rope-swinging abilities and falling in a creek

- A nice hike to the library

In addition to this, today was my last day at work. The time is rushing by. Please pray that my eyes would be fixed on Christ and that there would be enough time to invest with dear friends and family. I hate goodbyes.

"Nuair a chruthaigh Dia an t-am, chruthaigh raidhse"
"When God made time, he made plenty of it."

Week Four, Saturday

A prayer from Rev Delroy Powell, National Presiding Bishop of the New Testament Assembly: "Lord, we sense your stirring and renewed call to share the life, love and message of Christ to the diverse people of London. Equip us with courage, care and sensitivity as we seek to deepen our level of engagement. Enable us through the power of the Holy Spirit to negotiate the prevailing climate of religious tension, uncertainty and fear and lead many from darkness to light in Jesus' name."

Week Four, Friday

"Connecting with Muslim men has been hard," said LCM's Tom Carpenter, who works on the Isle of Dogs. "But we've made inroads through a football ministry. Pray for Karim who has opened up about his faith and recently offered us a Qur'an. Pray this might lead to deeper conversations about Christianity and Islam."

Week Four, Thursday

"Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us in good, gospel conversations," says LCM Missionary Harish Patel, who sets up a bookstall in Southall and ministers to Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims. "We want to see the message of Jesus spread, and to see people respond to his love and call."

Week Four, Wednesday

"Thank God for opportunities to share the gospel with visitors, who might never hear the good news in their home countries. There are strict blasphemy laws in the Islamic state of Pakistan, for example, but more than 150,000 Pakistanis live in London - and our missionaries are reaching them."

Week Four, Tuesday

"Sharing the gospel is not easy among the Turkish community of north London. Many can't shake off Islamic teaching, and struggle to accept God's grace. LCM Missionary Tim Spring says, "It requires a great deal of patient listening and relationship building - all in Turkish!" Pray for perseverance.

Week Four, Monday

"Pray urgently against the spread of extremism fuelled by ill-formed ideologies, and urge God to protect those struggling to find a sense of identity. Pray people would desire to seek truth, that bridges of trust would be built, and that people would be united in their desire to build cohesive and respectful communities."

Week Four, Sunday

"Give thanks that diversity is accepted and celebrated in London, that 8.5 million people from all over the world can call this single city home. Ask God to give London City Missionaries creativity, energy and boldness as they engage in the vast mission field on our doorstep."

Week Three, Saturday

"Where good people do good things in leadership, society flourishes and the least do well. When people in leadership act corruptly, everybody suffers. We love this city of London, and want it to flourish. The more we can pray for our leaders, the better off everyone is. Many people care for orphans and widows, but only people of faith pray. It's the unique gift we, the Church, can give to our city." - David Stroud, Senior Pastor at Christ Church London, one church in four locations

Week Three, Friday

"Ask God to raise up more Christian leaders in London. Pray that young Christians will see engagement in politics as both missional and possible. Pray for leaders of faith and integrity in our communities and estates."

Please pray this one for Christians throughout the world.

Week Three, Thursday

"There's a growing sense of unity among London's church leaders," says LCM Church Development Director Roy Hutchinson. "Pray now for unity in mission to reach the least reached; that through our actions, people will see Jesus."

On a personal note: I completed my summer class today. The final went far better than I ever expected. We also had exactly enough meals for the wrap-up of the summer feeding program at my site. Thank the Lord!

Please pray for me to have clarity and focus on Jesus as things move forward.

Week Three, Wednesday

"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the country's longest reigning monarch, celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this year. Pray for her, and give thanks for her service to London and its people."

I just read about a knife attack in Central London. Please pray for those affected and the police officers investigating.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36972126

Week Three, Tuesday

"Pray for the leaders elected during the London mayoral election and London Assembly elections this year. Lift them up before God, and ask that they would act justly, love kindness and walk humbly before the Lord. Pray they would use their influence and power wisely and for the good of many."

On a personal note:
I just completed my final lesson/quiz for the semester. Now, I need to study and prepare for the final on Thursday. Please pray that I remember all I've learned and that the summer feeding program ends on a good note. After this week, I'll start working on packing and getting the last few details ironed out.

Week Three, Monday

"In 2013, London City Missionary Matt Lofthouse teamed up with Lewisham councillor Janet Daby to establish the Food+ Project, which aims to alleviate poverty and build community. Matt said, 'It doesn't matter who's in leadership over us, we need to support them.' Pray for stronger partnerships between churches and local government."