The focus of this week’s prayer letter is on ‘Our Response to Easter – Where Do We Fit into God’s Plan.’

Apr 10 – Father, in the light of Easter, Holy Week, the Cross of Jesus and His resurrection – make me more aware of how important this all is. Your Spirit’s presence in my life can lead me deeper into an understanding and application of Easter – of I respond in faith and obedience.

I lay my life completely before You and ask that You would continue to guide and sanctify me – I would to live in faith and obedience to Your word and will, being filled daily by Your Spirit.

Holy Spirit, guide me in what You want me to start to change so that Your Son can be more perfectly formed in me, His victory at Easter evident in my life, and Your fullness more evident day by day in me.

Also, as I read Your word, worship, fellowship, give, witness and serve – I commit myself to partner with You in the work of sanctification in my life.

This task is central to my fruitfulness in Your Kingdom work. I am determined not to give up but to keep seeking to deny ‘self, take up my cross daily, and follow Jesus.

On this Easter Monday – I realise that in my own strength this will be impossible; so Holy Spirit, fill me to overflowing until Your victory is my victory; that I may witness to Jesus’ resurrection life in me, and in each person in our church, in person and online. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Apr 11 – Romans 12:1-2, NIV, ‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.’

Father, unless I draw near to You in faith and obedience to Your word, and submit myself to Your plan for my life – I will not able to mature in faith as You desire. Instead of conformity to the world – I yearn for redemptive transformation so I can better model how citizenship of Your Kingdom is to be lived out.

Your will is good, pleasing and perfect, we pray for many more to test and approve Your will – to live walking in Your will because of the influence and example of the people and ministries of Telford Elim, in person and online. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Apr 12 – ‘Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts’ (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Father, wholeness, life in all its fullness, and our Church as a place of spiritual renewal are all important requests we make today. Love is to be pursued – teach us how to do this as we live in this world.

Desire the spiritual gifts – also teach us how to do this so that Your body is strengthened, and Your mission advanced as we minister in the gifts He sovereignly distributes among us.

We recognise our need to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts Your Spirit makes available. These gifts enable us to transcend our own human limitations by enabling us to exercise the Gifts of the Spirit.

This enables us to give full expression to all that Christ has done for us, and in us. Fill us to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit, and enable each one of us move in His power, anointing and grace. In Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen

Apr 13 – Father, what seems little or insignificant can be a divine appointment or divinely given opportunity that opens a bigger door into life in all its fullness. Give us understanding and alert minds and hearts so that we can make the most of all the appointments You make for us. Teach how to recognise these, and make the time to grasp the opportunities they present.

So many in the world of work struggle with the desire to do something meaningful, to do something that makes a difference, and yet, are seemingly trapped by the burdens of everyday responsibilities and the unexpected trials of life.

Lord Jesus, when we pray Your prayer and ask for our daily bread, we also recognise that You use farmers, millers, bakers, truck drivers, shelf packers, and till assistants in order to get even a loaf of bread to us.

So we give You praise for each person in the food chain, and ask for Your blessing on them and on their families. We honour their labour, and pray that You will sanctify the vocations in our nation so they become Christ-honouring.

We thank You that each of us has a unique and specific place in Your divine economy. Grant us the discernment to recognise the sacred in the mundane, and to see beyond the constraints of this present, evil world. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Apr 14 – Father, we are seeking to respond to Easter, and all that Christ did for us. We are praying that we will respond aright to the atonement and His resurrection in life-giving ways, including through the doctrines of Vocation and of a godly Marriage.

Only You can change spouses from the inside out. There is plenty in each one of us that needs to be improved, and the doctrine of Marriage is also applicable in our commitment to the local church. It teaches us that, if we do it together, we put Christ first, and apply the principles of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus – good fruit will flow in our marriages and relationships.

Many Christians today are struggling in their relationships in marriage and home. Break through so that husbands and wives can be the men and women You call them to be in their marriages, homes and communities.

Many are also struggling with relationships in their spiritual homes, dropping out of the local church because of disappointment or frustration or a lack of Christian progression in sanctification and maturity.

Help each of us to take seriously Your call to remain at the church You lead us into – our spiritual home. We ask for real breakthroughs in our understanding of marriage, church, and work – the everyday places You prepare for us to flourish, bear fruit that will remain, and to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Apr 15 – Father, it’s hard just to keep plodding to work some days when fatigue and hopelessness overcome. The futility of a life filled with nothing but toil and trial can seem unbearable. Forgive us when we have grumbled and complained and thus grieved Your sweet Spirit.

Augustine wrote, ‘You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.’

May there be a great spiritual awakening that touches the workplaces in our town and land. We pray for many to repent and turn to Christ into salvation so that many more regenerated Christians can speak with voices that bring the Gospel and blessing to their homes, communities and workplaces.

We pray that thanksgiving and singing Your praise will replace the noise of godlessness in whatever form it takes. Turn us into a grateful and thankful nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Apr 16 – Father, we thank You for all the people who come to church today, including any for the first time, and those who join us online. We give You praise for the people who have responded to the Gospel leading to salvation in our Church.

We bless You for the presence of Your Spirit, and His miraculous interventions of salvation, healing and deliverance through the years. Thank you for the encouragement of seeing ministries flourish within the church, of people stepping out in faith and seeing You move on their behalf.

Lord, richly reward all who hear Your call and step forward saying, ‘Here I am, use me.’

We ask especially that You will bless and anoint Elder Adeola as she officially takes over and leads Telford Elim Women. May there be ongoing fruit as this ministry moves forward into the future under her leadership – the good fruit of women being discipled, enjoying fellowship and support with each other, and being equipped to step out in Your service and mission. In Jesus’ name. Amen