The Love Your Streets strand of CNI has become a key partner in the exciting Neighbourhood Prayer Network initiative. 896 streets across the UK are now part of this and we encourage you to sign up to "PRAY, CARE, SHARE" for those in your neighbourhood. This is the latest newsletter from NPN...
Thank you for continuing to pray for your street! I had a wonderful time in Scotland at a leaders gathering. I spent a lot of time with Jean Black from "Pray for Scotland" and found it to be a refreshing and encouraging experience. I shared the vision of Neighbourhood Prayer Network, which is very similar to the great work, our partners, "Pray for Scotland" have been doing over the last few years. They have had a vision to see Lighthouses of prayer all over Scotland and a Prayer, Care, Share model! I had learned about this after I had already written the outline for "Neighbours, Transform Your Street" around a Prayer, Care and Share model ! God is speaking to many of us about the same vision and we all have an important part of a jigsaw that makes a bigger picture!They have much to teach us and we spent some time talking about a closer working relationship. The next day I travelled to the "Well" in Bury, St Edmunds, at the invitation of Caroline Anderson who was one of three people who wrote the "Keep praying and Bless" prayer guide used during the TORCH relay for the Olympics. I was able to share the vision for Neighbourhood Prayer Network with people from East Anglia. It was an inspiring experience and there is so much prayer going on here and so much beauty in the people who attended. It was a real privilege to spend time with people as we sought God in prayer and worship. We will be adding the "Keep praying and Bless" prayer guide and a newer guide to our prayer resources soon. Two days later, I met with Paul Blakey from Love your Streets (Christian Nightlife Initiatives) and we discussed a closer working partnership in detail. We will give more details of this in the New Year. Its been an exciting week, but does mean I am a little behind on admin. If you have three hours a week you can volunteer and are good at admin, I would love to hear from you. We work on the principle that if many people do a little, we get a lot done! Last week I also did a radio interview about "Neighbours, Transform Your Street" with Transworld Radio. I was relieved that it wasn't live, and it will be aired next year! TESTIMONY We are approaching Christmas and the season for parties is starting, Bonnie, from Gt Bentley, a village midway between Colchester and Clacton in Essex, has given us permission to share this testimony. Just thought you might like to hear of the following experience I have had since praying for our street. We live in a small cul de sac of 10 houses. 2 weeks ago our next door neighbour decided to let their 18 year old daughter have the 2nd mid week party this year. During the summer this had entailed partying and loud music going on until the early hours when most of us had to go to work next day. I felt angry and resentful and remained so for several days afterwards. This time I still felt that it was not a repectful thing to do as the party was supposed to go on until 1am. I prayed about the situation and my own attitude changed from one of annoyance which could lead to a falling out, to an attitude of acceptance. I also prayed that the young people who attended the party would be safe as they made their way home, as from the noise it was evident that most were very drunk. I believe that this is the attitude that Jesus expects us to have and aided by the Holy Spirit this can prevent a situation turning from one that can start neighbourhood disputes into one of loving your neighbour, even though a lack of precious sleep was involved! yours Bonnie CHRISTMAS OFFER Our book, Neighbours, Transform Your Street, is written with the sole aim of spreading our vision as well as the great work of the wider church. For Christmas, from now until December 31st we are doing a special offer, a church can purchase a box of 14 which would normally cost £140, for £120 with free postage. We will send all orders off within 4 days of them being placed. All orders placed before or on 31st December will be honoured. Any profit made, helps to fund our work. All our staff are currently volunteers. The book would also make a great gift for your church minister. This offer will run from Monday on our website. IN CLOSING Please can you encourage people who have not already registered to pray for their street on our map to do so. We hope to reach 1000 streets before the New Year. We need 104 new people to register. Thanks Every Blessing Rebekah Brettle Comments are closed.
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