Week of Prayer, Week of ???????

Last week I was leading or otherwise involved in activities for the week of prayer every evening. During the week we were lead by 7 different people, each with their own different styles and approaches. Unfortunately I could not get to the day time sessions, being at work, but I managed all the evening ones. Some evenings there were very few of us, and on others there were a reasonable number. There were also some unexpected faces amongst those who gathered. I give thanks to God for everyone who gave up one or more of their evenings to pray for our church, it's people, and it's links both locally and internationally. We asked God for many things, in many places, and we did not neglect to listen to what He has to say to us. The verse for the week seems to be James 5:16b "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." A reminder to us all, but read the rest of the verse!

Last week I was summoned to our regional head office in Aldershot (about 3 hours away from home). I was told that I had been put "At Risk" and that I had 60 days to find a new role in the company, or I would be made redundant. Life at work has changed. All I have done since is write CV's, and apologise to people that I cannot help them any more. My job is moving to a cheaper location. Sometime soon I will have to start the handover process, to whoever will be working in the cheaper location. This will be, if it happens, my first experience of redundancy, and is the first time in 23 years that I have had to look for a job. It's all quite strange to me at the moment, and a very steep learning curve. I am mainly thankful that I have been licensed before it happened, because those two things together would have been too much to cope with!

I had recently identified another Christian in our office. On hearing my news he immediately reminded me that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) - that was a good first step in understanding what's going on. Now I need patience - not my strongest suite!

Weak of prayer?

Kaz, Liz and I went to the week of prayer youth evening. It was nice to start with the youth, shame about the preparation. Lots to pray about, lots to give thanks for, except we don’t know what it is because all the leaders are not their, and no-one has been asked to prepare anything. That one serious missed opportunity. At the start of a year of mission, I was really hoping for better.