The following prayers have been written by Pastor Leslie, and are on Developing a Prophetic Voice in our days.

2 Aug – Father, we are living in amazing days. Nothing seems to be permanent. Nearly every institution is in flux – subject to change. Covid-19, politics, the economy and business are experiencing constant upheaval and challenge. In our society, things are also changing rapidly including the rules which govern it, what people think is acceptable and what is unacceptable, and how we do community. It feels like there is a great shaking is taking place which is uprooting everything.

We pray for the fog of confusion to be lifted from the UK Church. Give Your Church the words and insight so it can speak Your truth to the secular powers. We ask that in the shaking, many will gain a clear revelation of Jesus as Saviour – and many turn to Him in saving faith. Amen

3 Aug – Father, people think that if the Pandemic is resolved that will mean we will not have to worry about that problem or challenge – it will be settled for years to come. This may have been the case many years ago, but I believe that nothing can be settled long term today.

In fact, whether it be the impact of Covid, or the challenges faced by the NHS, or the constant flux and change in society – things will continue to cause concern, no matter what is decided in the coming months.

Therefore, we pray for a new period of godly reflection when many will be able to recognise that human institutions, no matter how grand or important they seem, are subject to being tossed around by the heavenly forces of wickedness. That there is a spiritual battle taking place for the soul of our nation.

As the UK Church, empower us to be able to engage in this spiritual battle with the authority of Christ, in the power and guidance of the Spirit, and with a clear and firm knowledge of Your Fatherhood and loving concern for us.

May much honour, glory and praise be brought to the Lord Jesus because of His Church, Telford Elim in person and online, and our engagement in the battle with the forces of darkness in the UK. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen

4 Aug – Father, looking back and considering the way situations and issues have arisen in recent years, and are then addressed by our leaders, points to the trend that nothing is finally resolved. In fact, rather than fixing problems – it seems that new, more difficult ones are constantly arising.

As we also consider the nature of the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is applying the breakthroughs of the Third Industrial Revolution, which was ‘moving from Analogue to Digital,’ including through Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Vehicles etc, we see in this the potential for the further dehumanising of our society.

Instead of human relationships and interactions being a major part of the help offered to the sick, infirmed, old and needy, robots are being introduced. This removes the human touch of love, compassion and joy. Heal our land, Lord.

We pray for a deeper, clearer understanding of biblical prophecy thus gaining Your perspective on what is happening. Grant the UK Church, and Telford Elim, great understanding and wisdom in how to speak on these issues bringing Your perspective to the nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen

5 Aug – Father, we see the rise in an antichrist worldview in many nations as a prelude to the coming of the Lawless One, the Antichrist who is to come (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).

For the Antichrist to come will require: i. A Great Apostasy when many Christians fall away (2:3);

ii. An increase in the means by which people are able to astound society, apart from Christ, and transform it – including:

• The human condition being radically altered through the application of new human developed technologies and powers
• curing diseases in ethically questionable ways
• altering mindsets by imposing Religious, Pluralist, Liberal, Secular, Humanist or Rationalist ideologies
• or a combination of these which advocate a society which rejects Christ and its traditional Judeo-Christian foundations.
• This leads to people being forced to change their moral outlook because of the pressure from Social Media, the Media, the Governments Laws and Policies, and the possible loss of income and work (2:9);

iii. A period of great delusion about Your nature, the validity of Your truth, and a rejection of salvation in Christ on Your terms (2:10-11);

iv. A period of Great Deception when society will believe many falsehoods while rejecting Your truth (2:10).

We affirm these biblical truths. We pray for guidance, as a Church, in person and online, in how to teach and prepare our congregation so as not to taken unawares by what happens in the world around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen

6 Aug – Father, it is really important to recognise and listen to Your prophetic voice. I believe that You are speaking to Your Church – the big question is, ‘are Your people listening?’ An important passage on this is Hebrews 12:25-29, NLT,

‘Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai His voice shook the earth, but now He makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.’

Thank You for these words. May Your Spirit illuminate this sacred text and grant us understanding and insight in how to apply it. May none of us be guilty of refusing to hear Your words.

We chose to live thankful lives and seek to please You by worshipping You, Father, Son and Spirit, in Spirit and truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen

7 Aug – Father, a Great Shaking is already happening. All that people trust in, outside of Christ and His Church, are being shaken – Covid being the biggest example of this in living memory.

We are living in the days of the shaking of the earth. It is not yet at its most violent point, but it is not very far off. Even the heavenly powers of unjust governmental authority, of the rulers of the darkness of this age including some in the Civil Service, Media, Business, Finance and Industry, and the drivers of the unbiblical cultural reshaping that is taking place in the UK are beginning to be shaken as well.

What the leaders of Humanism, the New Atheism and even Syncreistic or False Religions are advocating – ideas and things which they say will lead to a more just, fair and prosperous society – are actually producing greater instability and more disadvantage, a less just, more unfair and less prosperous society.

We declare that Christ is Lord. We proclaim His lordship over the UK. Teach us how to live submissively to Him and His will – living faith-filled and Spirit-filled lives. In Jesus’ name & for His glory. Amen

8 Aug – Father, the Church is uniquely placed to speak Your truth to these powers. The OT prophets spoke Your truth to Israel and Judah, its kings, priests, leaders and people. They were largely ignored or persecuted for doing so. If we are going to develop a Prophetic Voice speaking Your truth to our society, there will be a cost. False prophets will oppose us and seek to block the people’s ears to Your message.

Grant us to be overcomers through the Cross of Christ. However, there is a greater danger in not speaking as Your Spirit directs to our nation – we lose Your Spirit’s prophetic voice from our churches as well. Grant Telford Elim the grace and boldness to declare clearly, in person and online, and in Your time, Your word to our communities. In Jesus’ name. Amen