Based on and updated from a post published on 24 October 2008 (see Year for London – New Prayer Guide 30th Oct document linked to the left of the screen) – revisited in response to last week’s TLP Refresh day at St Catherine’s, East Tilbury (8 September 2016).
Thurrock’s arms were granted on 20 September 1955
The ALBATROSS
… represents long journeys across the sea from and to the Thames. Like the Celtic goose –another bird of endurance and power – the albatross could be considered a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
• Pray for the influence of Thurrock upon the world, typified by the work of the Seafarer’s Centre in the docks from which many foreign seamen come into contact with the gospel of Jesus.
• Pray as well for those Christians coming into the borough from across the world, a legacy of earlier British missionary activity in their countries.
The KNIGHT
… is Rudolf de Knevyton, a Knight of the Templar Order.
• Pray that the Christians across Thurrock are all equipped and standing firm in the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-17).
The WHEEL
… represents industry and agriculture.
• Pray for all those working in industry, fulfilling whatever function they have to the best of their ability and with a joyful attitude.
• Pray for workers’ rights, health and safety, and a decent living wage for all.
• Pray for the Workplace Chaplaincy team in places like Lakeside, and the Port Chaplains working out of the Tilbury Seafarers’ Centre.
• Pray for the Lord of Harvest to send workers to the wider field of Thurrock to reap the harvest of souls.
The THREE SHIPS ON WAVES
… represent Thurrock’s long association with the maritime trade.
• Pray concerning the changing demography and geography of Thurrock and the changing landscape of industry and commerce in the area, especially with the coming of the London Gateway Superport.
• Pray for Thurrock’s vital strategic positioning on the Thames Gateway and God’s calling upon Thurrock.
• Pray for Thurrock to become ‘the place where fresh water flows’, for the hidden aquifers of God’s blessing to break open, and for wells of salvation and healing to spring forth.
The CELTIC CROSS
… is a reference to the establishment of Christianity in Thurrock, at what is now East Tilbury, by St Cedd in 653.
• Pray for the fresh evangelisation of the borough through evangelistic initiatives like Firestarters, Ignition and Following & Fishing and others such as Alpha and Besom.
• Pray for the (re-)awakening of the sleeping giant of intercession across Thurrock.
• Pray for the unity of the church by which people will see and know the Lord.
The SHIP’S PROPELLER
… is a reference to the docks at Tilbury and shipbuilding.
• Pray that the church of Thurrock doesn’t ground to a halt but continues in forward movement under the momentum of making disciples and multiplying in number.
• Pray for the church to be facing the right way like a ship being pushing into position by a tug, and open to new forms of expression and ways of mission.
The TUDOR ROSE
… refers to the Elizabeth I’s visit to Tilbury in 1588 to address the army at the impending threat of invasion by the Spanish Armada. Some say this event signifies the beginning of the British Empire and the whole ‘Gloriana’ mindset that led to the eventual subjugation and enslavement of many. Simultaneously, however, missionaries took the gospel from these shores right around the globe.
• Pray that God’s Kingdom overcomes our little empires in whatever forms they may take – political, business or religious.
• Pray for the UK’s standing in the world at this time of Brexit, economic challenge, environmental destruction, societal unrest, political upheaval and war.
• Pray against hidden forms of slavery in our local community.
The heraldic SEA LION
… refers once again to land-based and maritime industries.
• Pray that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah shall roar in Thurrock through God’s people filled with power (recently, a huge sculpture of a lion landed at London Gateway and was carried by lowloader from Thurrock to Longleat, which was celebrating its 50 year jubilee – “Aslan is on the move”).
• Pray that the lion’s roar will go across the ‘sea’ of people in the borough – and beyond.
The black and white DROPLETS OF OIL
… on the Sea Lion represent the oil of power (the petroleum industry) and cleansing, healing oil (the soap and chemical industry).
• Pray for the power of the oil of the Holy Spirit to touch the church and people’s lives in Thurrock.
• Pray for the cleansing, healing oil of the Holy Spirit to bring cleansing and healing to the church and to the sinful and broken lives of people of Thurrock.
PROPHETIC WORD OVER THURROCK
Isaiah 41:17-20 (NIV)
The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.”
• Pray for Thurrock’s needy community; the call of the church to united prayer and mission
