Answered Prayer - Close through the Changes

As part of our Transforming Prayer series we are starting a new blog focusing on answered prayer. If you’ve got a testimony of how God has answered a prayer for you recently, be it big or small, get in touch at prayer@redeemerlondon.org

The first story of answered prayer reminds us of a truth we’ve touched on in our meet-ups recently, that God is a Close Father.

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Close through the Changes

I'm experiencing a lot of change after a year of challenges:  a family bereavement, a house sale and a divorce.

I've asked my meetup to pray for wisdom and a peaceful resolution, I also asked for prayer around my first meeting with a bereavement counsellor last week, arranged through an Employee Assistance Programme.  It's free but you get little choice as to who is allocated to you.  And in an answer to that prayer, the EAP matched me with the most perfect counsellor. 

Not just that but God has blessed me with more interactions with Christians at work that ever before - driving home the truth that I'm not alone and that he is standing with me.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 5

We have passed the half way mark of our Transforming Prayer meetups, and it’s been incredible to hear stories of growing communities of passionate individuals coming together to pray!

We are called not just to pray as individuals, but to join together and pray, as a team, just as the early church did in Acts 2:42.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Steve Page’s latest poem, inspired by the recent six nations rugby tournament, paints an inspiring picture of what a praying community looks like.

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A TEAM SPORT

[In the voice of your favourite over-excited rugby commentator.]

We're inside the final quarter. We've seen a bone-cruncher of a contest today and there's no sign of a let up, the prayers gather for the next engagement, positioning themselves with practiced confidence, skillfully supporting each other, ready for the push.  You can see every knee and each hand bears the marks from this long muddied pray, red and brown staining every inch of their entwined limbs; - arms and hands holding fast.

Front row.
Second row.
Back row.
Digging in for the big push.

The opposition has played an intelligent game, taking advantage of any lapse in concentration, any sign of tiredness, looking for any weakness to exploit.  The prayers know they can't afford any slips now, they need to keep up the pressure, maintain their advance deep in the opposition's half.  Every yard of gained ground needs to be defended.

The prayers' Coach looks on - look at his smile! You can see the pride he has for his team, he's schooled them on every tactic of the opposition and now that training, that practice has paid dividends. This is a team of prayers that so clearly know each other well, supporting each other every step of the way. You can see their co-ordinated pray, their sustained effort and the sheer pleasure they feel when they are praying together.

The prayers drive on.  The sound of their groans and deep breaths merge into one. There's a rhythm to it, a cadence as together they push and PUSH. 

The opposition's footing is slipping, the prayers' momentum gains pace and, YES! the resistance collapses.  Oh, that must have hurt!

But there's no time for complacency, the prayers re-form their line looking for the next opening, the next opportunity to push forward.

This is a joy to see.  The Coach shouts his encouragement - this was never going to be an easy struggle; you can't dismiss the opposition - they are a seasoned though sometimes disorganised team and they can take you by surprise.  But as we've seen here today, the Coach knows that if his team of prayers keep to the plan and pray to their strengths, the opposition are surely in for a hiding. The prayers will triumph and they will take the winners' crown. 
- Back to you in the studio.

#RedeemerRecommends on Valentine's - salt.london

If you’ve walked past a shop front or been on social media at all today, you will be aware that it is Valentine’s Day! A day which I’m sure brings about mixed feelings for many of you reading this.

There are many Christian blogs out there focusing on the subject of love, but this week’s #RedeemerRecommends has picked out one in particular which we think is worth a read!

salt.london is a blog which is run by a few friends from another Advance church in Waterloo, led by Andrew Haslam. It describes itself as a blog which seeks to “engage with thoughtful Londoners on matters of faith, philosophy, and life.”

The blog focuses on a range of topics, but you can find some links to their specific Valentine’s themed posts below. We hope you will find them thought provoking and encouraging, whether you’re single or married!

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 4

This Sunday, Pete Cornford helped us to grasp the goodness of the God that we are talking to when we pray, and in our meetups this week we have been discussing ‘The Pattern of Prayer’, learning from Jesus’ model of prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13.

Steve’s poem this week speaks again of God’s goodness, and the importance of pursing prayer as Jesus’ intended it; reminding us what we can expect to hear from God in return.

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Things you won’t hear from God.

Things you won't hear from God:

I'm sorry we are experiencing a higher number of calls than usual. 

You may wish to call back later.

All of our operators are dealing with other customers.

We will be with you as soon as someone becomes available.

Your call is important to us, please wait or alternatively go to our website.

Listen carefully to the flowing options.

I'm sorry, I didn't understand that. Did you say, "Help"?

Our office is now closed. Thank you for calling. 

Things you will hear from God:

"Welcome. I've been expecting you. What's on your heart?"

Remembering Answered Prayer

This weekend marked our third Sunday morning of Transforming Prayer, and I don’t know about you, I am absolutely loving it! I’ve begun meeting on a Tuesday morning and building community with those in my meet-up, we’ve had some great times of prayer and honest conversation together, sharing our dreams with one another for what we hope God will do in and through us during this time of Transforming Prayer!

Last week we were talking about answered prayer, and how we seem to have new requests to bring to God each morning! Because there are so many new things to ask for, we can often forget that God is answering our prayers daily, often in amazing ways! Together we have made the decision to keep a record of all the ways God is answering our prayers during our time meeting together, and to regularly look back at this list to renew and stir our faith!

But why limit that list to just our own group?! Recently God has been answering prayers, big and small, all across the Redeemer family, and we think that’s something which needs to be celebrated as we continue the Transforming Prayer series! So here’s your chance, if you’ve had a prayer answered, whether it be in the last couple of weeks since we started the series, or whether you have a powerful testimony of answered prayer from earlier in your life, we want to hear from you! 

The power of testimony is huge! It stirs up faith in others, and encourages them to persevere in their prayers, it focuses people’s eyes back on God rather than themselves, and it motivates people to worship the God who answers their prayers. 

If you’ve got an example of answered prayer that you would love to share with us, you can let us know by sending your testimony to prayer@redeemerlondon.org. It can be a big testimony or a small testimony, no-one is discounted, all answered prayer is worth celebrating! All we would ask that you try and keep it around 350 words maximum (as a point of reference this blog is 364 words long).

We look forward to hearing your stories…

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 3

This week in our Transforming Prayer meet-ups we are talking about how we pray with confidence! This comes from a greater understanding of our Father in heaven and our relationship with him. In this week’s poem, Steve Page thinks about how our posture during prayer reflects our confidence that our prayers will be heard and answered by a CARING, CONSISTENT, CLOSE, COMPETENT Father.

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Strong knees and open eyes

Straight back and open ears

Strong voice and open hands

Straight through to the throne of grace

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 2

This week is our first week of Transforming Prayer! As we look together at the purpose of prayer, Steve’s poem this week reminds us that prayer is always about relationship…

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Prayer

How many times a day do you pray?

As many as needed.
Some days only once.
But it might take all day.

Better Together

London can be a lonely place at times. I’ve been on full tubes, in busy squares, in vibrant stadiums and at packed out gigs and known that feeling of not really connecting with anyone despite being around everyone.

 We’ve got a saying at Redeemer that “life is a team sport - best done together” and I’ve genuinely found at church that meeting new people, making friends and sharing life Monday to Saturday has added that all-important connection and depth to London.

 We call the stuff we do Monday-Saturday ‘Meetups’ at Redeemer. This term we’ve created spaces, times and options to hang out and grow together on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They’re in evenings, early morning, in the middle of the day, over brunch and geographically spread out all over the borough, and everyone’s welcome.

Would you like to find a meetup of ten or so people for the next ten weeks? We’re aiming to grow in our prayer life in particular this Spring term, using some great resources to prioritise prayer, encourage each other in prayer, and pray for each other. Ten people could be praying for you, supporting you and making life more of a team sport for you over the next few weeks – sounds worthwhile doesn’t it?

For everyone who’s joined a meetup this term, have a superb time. One top tip - don’t hold back. We’ve found that the more real you are, the more likely it is you’ll grow yourself and bond with those there beyond just the ten weeks. Enjoy!

#RedeemerRecommends - 24/7 Prayer

As we continue to look forward to Transforming Prayer, which kicks off this Sunday, this week’s #RedeemerRecommends focuses on the blog of a prayer organisation which is seeing transformation in prayer lives and transformed communities as a result of prayer all across the world.

The 24-7 prayer movement began in 1999 with a single prayer room on the south coast of England, and their prayer room model has since expanded across the globe. 24-7 International now reaches over half the countries on earth. Their story is told in the books Red Moon Rising & Dirty Glory.

To discover more about the movement you can also visit the website by following the link below, where you will also find helpful blogs on prayer, along with inspiring testimonies of the transformational power of prayer!

Let’s be inspired by what God is doing in the global church and believe that he can do incredible things in and through US as we enter into this season of Transforming Prayer! I hope to see you on Sunday as we begin this new, exciting, life changing journey of prayer as a church. Everyone is welcome to join us!

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 1

As part of our Transforming Prayer series here at Redeemer we will be posting weekly poems based around the topic of prayer.

The incredibly gifted Steve Page has written a series of poems for us to use, you can check out more of his work by seeking out his posts on this blog or by following this link at the bottom of this page.

We hope you enjoy the posts, and are prepared for the start of our Transforming Prayer meetups and preaching series this Sunday!

Over to Steve…

Prayer #1

You walk
You sit
You kneel

You ask
You wait
You weep

I listen
I speak
I weep

I hear
I stand
I act

Stand

It's a New Year and I'm listening to news reports of the on going stand-off between Donald Trump and Congress and again between Teresa May and fellow MPs. Right or wrong, whatever their motivations, people are making a stand. Sometimes we stand up to be counted and we make change happen. Sometimes we stand strong, but find ourselves forcibly moved aside or just ignored.

When we're thinking of making a stand we need to make a judgement call whether we are willing to make the effort, are we ready to accept the possible consequences of our stance? Are you ready to lose your (job, friendship, advantage, stake - insert here) for the sake of speaking out for what's right? To stand for what's true? To support the excluded? To act for something beyond your self-interest? Is this important enough for you?
It's easy to understand why some (most?) take the path of least resistance and least conflict. Least risk. Least pain. Least soul-searching.

But some things are not negotiable. Some things are worth fighting for.

Friends.

Family.

Justice.

Community.

Faith.

For example, Acts 4 sets out the account of Peter and John having to decide whether to obey the authorities and to stop speaking about Jesus or to continue to speak openly about what they knew to be true. It was a no-brainer:

"Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

This was no easy thing - there were significant consequences for taking their stance.

So ask yourself: what's important enough for you to take a stand in 2019? How will you respond when it's put to the test?

Standing strong is easier with like-minded people to support you. Find out more at Redeemer on any given Sunday morning at Ealing Town Hall.

We'll stand with you. We'll pray with you and seek God's will in your situation.

We worship a God of change.

Carols, Community and Celebration!

This Sunday we had the privilege of hosting our annual Carols by Candlelight event at Ealing Town Hall! Always a time of celebration, this year was no different, with people coming together to sing carols, enjoy a free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, and get into the Christmas spirit!

What a fantastic event it was this year! Over 300 people gathered in the Town Hall, we sang more carols together than we ever have before, yet there was still time to listen to outstanding performance songs and poetry and learn from Pete Cornford about what it really means to be home at Christmas time. He reminded us that home is not always about a physical place but that we truly find what it means to feel at home in our relationships with those that we love. We as Christians believe that we are welcomed home when we seek relationship with God, that he waits for us with open arms. Jesus talked about this as part of his teaching, and you can read about it in Luke 15:11-32.

If you were one of those that joined with us this Sunday we hope you felt welcomed and at home amongst us, and if you haven’t already, see if you can spot yourself in the family photo we took at the end of the evening!

If you want to find out what it looks like to be a member of the Redeemer family, you are so welcome to join us at our family service this Sunday (the 23rd of December) at 10am in the Town Hall for festive songs, a nativity and even a few games!

Finally, there is also still an opportunity to contribute to the collection which was taken on Sunday evening to support the work of St Mungo’s, an organisation which aims to help those without a physical home to go to this Christmas.

Peace broke out....

Peace broke out
with a rash of shepherds
Peace broke in
while most were asleep
Peace broke out
with a choir of angels
Peace broke in 
with the bleat of sheep

Peace broke out
in a backyard stable
Peace broke in
and beggared belief
Peace broke out
in the stink of a manger
Peace broke in
with a cry of release

Peace broke out
to a child breast feeding
Peace broke in
to a mothers relief
Peace broke out
in the hearts of believers 
Peace broke in 
to the middle east

Peace breaks out
to those who believe him
Peace breaks in 
to the hearts of the meek
Peace breaks out
here in Ealing
Jesus breaks in
as the Prince of true Peace

Pause to ask "why?"

A one word question can have a big impact. 

Recently at work I've been learning the importance of pausing to ask the simple question "why?". 

Having people around who prompt you to consider a fresh perspective can be a real gift. When we’re blinkered and focusing on the “when” or “how of a project, "why" can sometimes bleed into the background. 

Christmas and New Years busyness requires some moments of pausing to asking “why”. With most of my daily and weekly routine missing, the absence of standard times and places can leave me struggling to find space to pause, including moments to pray and listen to God. Space to just focus and reflect on God has the power to thread Jesus and his good news throughout the season rather than push it entirely to the periphery. 

So, one way to “keep the main thing the main thing” over the next few weeks is fighting to keep time for prayer and waiting on God. Taking opportunities to pray helps with the “why” of the season and feeds to soul. 

There’s still time to sign up for 24 hours of prayer (Friday 6pm - Saturday 6pm) and start as you mean to go on. 

#RedeemerRecommends Upside Down Advent!

Turn Advent UPSIDE DOWN. 

In the run up to Christmas I was struck by an idea floating on the Web.  

A REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR.

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/547633/reverse-advent-calendar 

Instead (or as well as) opening an advent calendar door each morning for a piece of chocolate to munch with your cereal flakes of choice, create a collection for someone struggling to make ends meet this Christmas.  

Each day in the run up to Christmas, put aside a staple food item or something a little more festive.  And before Christmas hand it to a local food bank or a charity supporting the homeless to be passed on to someone who may not be anticipating a happy Christmas time. 

Go to https://www.trusselltrust.org/what-we-do/ for more ideas of the best items to include and to find your local foodbank.  

If you're in Ealing go to https://ealing.foodbank.org.uk

You can even hand it in at your local supermarket - Tesco's in Ealing is collecting. 

Reverse Advent

"This year, although I know that you're keen to set up that nativity scene, I'm advocating an alternative means, a change in priorities for your generosities.

"I'm annointing a reversal, suggesting you parcel a hamper of staples and so turn the tables on advent doors that ignore the poor.  

"I'm asking that you choose to proclaim the good news beyond the pews, to pursue a change of people's views of what they thought they knew this season meant. Yes, let's reverse this Advent and make something more heaven-sent."

Have a great Advent and make it greater for someone else too.

Carols by Candlelight

Christmas is a time to gather together to drink mulled wine, eat mince pies and sing carols. These traditions have been going on for hundreds of years. 

Today when life is such a rush it is so vital to take time to pause and connect to others.  With so many carols to choose from: the children singing ‘Away in a manger’, enjoying a performance of ‘O Holy Night’ (the nations favourite carol), tapping your feet and enjoying the fun ‘See Him lying on a bed of straw’ or the more classic ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ - there is something for everyone.

I know that many places raise money for good causes by charging for tickets -  but I am delighted to say that on Sunday 16th December at 6pm you can come to Ealing Town Hall and enjoy the singing, nibble a mince pie or two and enjoy a drink for free. I hope to see you there.

#RedeemerRecommends @ Christmas

As we well and truly get into the Christmas spirit here at Redeemer, I have been thinking about how modern culture seems to be encouraging us to begin celebrating Christmas earlier and earlier each year.

For this next instalment of #RedeemerRecommends I would love to point you in the direction of an interesting blog by Courtney Ellis. It is a post encouraging us to avoid maligning those that would put Christmas music on in mid-October and embrace the fact that the birth of Jesus is something to be celebrated all year round!

Check out the blog here: 

https://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2018/november/christmas-advent-case-for-early-holiday.html

Week of Prayer

They say the most widely spoken prayer in modern life is simply “help me God”. All sorts of people say it, whether they believe in God or not. It’s a prayer which is prayed at different times, in different situations!

Personally, I find more time to pray early in the morning or later in the evening. It seems more natural to pray when I have time to reflect.

We know that God hears all our prayers and at Redeemer for a week every term we put a particular emphasis on meeting and praying together as a church community. Next week is that week!

Whether you are free in the evenings, or the mornings, or you want to get involved in our 24 hour prayer room, there is something available for you next week. Ealing is a very busy place, but I can assure you taking an hour out to pray with others will impact your week in a hugely positive way!

You will be welcome no matter what your situation, life experience or whether you believe in prayer or not. A prayer life can simply start with “help me God”.

To sign up for a slot in the 24 hours of prayer follow this link:

For information on all of the prayer meetings next week check out the calendar section of the website:

Advent-ure

Stay focused now.  He's no longer a babe in a manger, He's now a resurrected King.

ADVENTURE

It's advent:
Angels invite you to
Adventures in worship in your 
Annual observation in
Anticipation of the divine,
Awaiting, acclaiming the King.

The red coats are coming, 
The red coats are coming
(but don't let them distract you).

[Christmas is more than blokes in red suits.]