Prayer 

Thurrock set to Shine during London 2012


Shine6On Wednesday 17 January, there was an event held at Leyton Orient FC - a stone's throw from the Olympic Park - calling believers across the Greater London and beyond to prayer.

Led by Bishop David Hawkins, there was an atmosphere of anticipation at what the Lord will do in this auspicious year of 2012. Tim Harrold represented Transformation Thurrock at the event. Here is a record of what was said and prayed for, along with corresponding web links.


Bishop of Barking, David Hawkins:

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." Isaiah 60:1
  • Shine2Rise & shine! Like corn flakes - he had a packet with him - and the old Sunday School song - which he sang and did all the actions for with great gusto!
  • The UK in 2012 has a similar economic climate and subsequent societal problems to Jerusalem in the Prophet Isaiah’s day
  • The 20s & 30s generation have the highest unemployment and are missing from church, but in the 2012 Games they can find inspiration - from the 20s & 30s generation
  • Prayer
    • for the 20s & 30s age group
    • the witness of the church to that generation
Rev Duncan Green, Church of England Olympics Executive Co-ordinator for the Dioceses of Chelmsford, London and Southwark:
  • Shine4Showed video of a fly-thru of the Olympic Park
  • 9 million people will experience the Games
  • What’s been built in in Stratford in a few years would take 40 elsewhere (e.g. Westfield bought a site in Bradford 35 years ago and building still hasn’t started!)
  • Games’ Chaplaincy - is multi-faith to cover the diverse cultures represented, leaving a legacy for faith involvement in sport. The Chaplaincy is for athletes and officials, and (for the first time) press and media
  • More Than Gold Games Pastors will be at train stations, airports, on the streets, providing refreshments and directions
  • Prayer:
    • for visitors to the Olympics
    • for a safe & secure games (for the first time, a Severe Level)
    • for media & pastors
See http://www.morethangold.org.uk/service/games-pastors.html for more info on how to apply to become a Games Pastor
See http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/church-of-england-appoints-olympic-tsar.html on more about Duncan Green

Dave Willson, CEO of More Than Gold:
  • Home Stay programme - encouraging Christians to host athletes’ families, this building relationships with them
  • 2000 mission team members given to service in local churches
  • Looking for churches to place teams (e.g. YWAM Megacities)
  • Get Set training up and down the nation over the next two months (for Thurrock, on 31 March in West Ham - see linked article and note below)
  • Encouragement to use More Than Gold-linked resources (catalogues available from Thurrock’s MTG Gold Champions and Transformation Thurrock)
See http://www.morethangold.org.uk/hospitality.html for more info on Home Stay
See http://www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/get-set-a-day-to-get-ready.html for info on Get Set training events (and see note at bottom of this article)
See www.morethangold.org.uk for more on all of MTG has to offer you and your local church

Shine7Jonathan Oloyede, GDOP London:
  • 2012 is the Year of Prayer, ordained by God
  • Come, arise & shine
  • The continued importance of building unity, because, after all, we’ll all be together in heaven, so why not practice now!
  • Prayer:
    • for unity
See www.gdoplondon.com for more details
There are GDOP nights of prayer on 24 January, 6 March, 22 May and 27 July at the Emmmauel Centre, Marsham Street, Westminster - see http://gdoplondon.com/events/
See http://gdoplondon.com/news/momentum-of-unity-builds-towards-wembley-2012/ for more info about the National Prayer Event at Wembley Stadium on 23 September

Jane Holloway, World Prayer Centre & MTG Prayer:
  • 2012 is the Year of Prayer
  • Word she received a few years ago: "I want to have prayer cascading through the nation. I've got people prepared - remove the boulders!”
  • The stages in the building of the Olympic site have gone hand-in-hand with the stages in the building of the prayer for the Games
  • It’s about the church in every community being what it's called to be, rejoicing in its diversity, all working and standing together in love
  • In this year of prayer, "Pray local, link national"
  • Two all-day stadium prayer events either side of the Games - London’s Burning at Leyton Orient on 26 May and the National Prayer Event at Wembley on 23 September
  • Olympic Torch Relay - there will be a cascade of prayer across the entire British Isles (including Rep of Ireland) on every day of the Torch’s journey - the emphasis will be on receiving and sharing prayers of blessing from one community to another: it’s time to dig ditches
  • There will be a Praise Bus from Methodist cChurch near Lands End which will travel the whole route ahead of the Torch
  • Prayer: bless each other using...
    • “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
    • "May ADONAI bless you and keep you. May ADONAI make his face shine on you and show you his favour. May ADONAI lift up his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 Complete Jewish Bible
See http://www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/prayer.html for prayer resources and info

Rev Rosy Ashley, Event Director for London’s Burning:
  • The Huguenots prophesied the 1666 Great Fire of London, which cleansed the city of the Plague, and also the release the blazing power of God’s love over the city now
  • 9000 people will worship at Leyton Orient FC on 26 May
  • 30 day 24-7 praying blessing (14 July to 12 August)
  • Releasing teams of healing (HOTS training at the Cornerstone, Leyton, on 24 & 25 February)
  • Prayer
    • for this significant year
See http://www.londonsburning2012.org.uk for more details

Bishop David (in conclusion):
  • Shine1Jesus said, “I am Light” - he also said, “YOU are light, so shine your light to all men”, so shine your light to all Londoners, to all visitors, to your community
  • Recounting his Boarding School experience of setting fire to the school playing field by reflecting the sun’s rays using a mirror, the Bishop described how through this he discovered the power of the sun - and power of the Son!
  • And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ... so unveil! Dare to reflect power and glory of Jesus!
  • Prayers of commissioning
Other links:
Social Justice and the Games - http://www.morethangold.org.uk/service/social-justice.html
Outreach - http://www.morethangold.org.uk/outreach.html
What can your church do? http://www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church/what-your-church-can-do.html

Shine5Become a Gold Champion - a rep for your church - and meet other Gold Champions from churches across Thurrock.

Get Set - two local churches have offered free transport to the training event on 31 March. That means we can take about 30 representatives from the borough to get envisioned and equipped for a hectic summer that has all the potential of transforming Thurrock and changing the nation!

Contact Borough Champion Tim Harrold on tim@transformationthurrock.com for more info.

Tim Harrold, 20/01/2012

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