Aug 24 – This week’s prayer letter is on being steadfast in the faith.

‘Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that Jesus steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:51).

Father, in the context, we get an insight into Jesus’ absolute commitment to Your will – He left a successful ministry setting in order to follow the pathway leading to the cross. There was a personal cost to Christ’s obedience, because of His steadfastness to Your will – at this point He was rejected by a Samaritan village. That Samaritan village would have been happy to welcome Jesus on their own terms but, because His focus was on fulfilling Your will, they rejected His ministry.

Forgive us for the times when we have set conditions on ministry – when we have wanted to receive or do it on our terms according to our will. Cleanse us from such a controlling, ungodly attitude. May we be enabled to steadfastly and resolutely follow Your will in spite of the external circumstances – including those that would seek to blow us off course.

Jesus also understood perfectly the times He was living in, and Your timeline for His life. Grant us the prophetic insight to understand our place in Your wider purposes, and also so that we can follow Christ in line with Your timing and purposes – not our own. When we walk in the Spirit, we begin to be automatically aligned with Your will and timing. Forgive us for the sins of either going ahead of You or of lagging behind. When we are in step with Your timing, then our lives become simpler and more faith filled. We pray that each person in our church online and in person, and of any other church who is reading this, will be aligned with Your timing and will. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Aug 25 – ^‘But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

Father, there is victory in and through Christ. In Him, there is the opportunity for ongoing spiritual development and growth. I commit myself to Your work afresh – thank You that You in turn multiply the opportunities to serve You and Your purposes, my fellow sisters and brothers in church, and the wider communities. The main labour You call us to is to disciple makers.

We pray as we wholeheartedly commit to Your work, our labour will not be in vain but will bring honour and glory to Christ our Saviour. In Him, our lives and service are of lasting value. We pray for a great spiritual awakening in and through our church, each church of those who use these prayers, and across our nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Aug 26 – ^‘A final word: Be strong in the Lord & in His mighty power’ (Ephesians 6:10, NLT). Father, this is the attitude of life which You require – filled to overflowing by Your mighty Spirit. We can either chose to acquiesce with the world and be pulled down into its spiritual weakness, or to take our authority in Your Son, live by His grace and become strong in Your Spirit’s mighty power.

Teach me about this Kingdom principle and help me to apply it to my life. The context of the verse continues focussing on putting on God’s full spiritual armour. We pray for greater insight and understanding of how to remain dressed in this armour. Your armour is needed to face the challenges of the day. Enable Telford Elim, and each church of those who read this, to teach and minister so as to equip many people with an understanding of Your armour, how to remain dressed in it, and how to use it as we face the different challenges of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Aug 27 – ‘Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For weare not fighting against flesh-&-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places’ (Ephesians 6:11-12, NLT).

Father, You have provided amazing helps for our spiritual walk. There is none greater than this spiritual armour. Thank You for it. As I face the full array of the enemy’s attacks and strategies to pull me down, I give praise that when I stand in Your armour the enemy’s strategies and attacks become powerless – I can stand firm in Christ.

I pray for any that I know off today who are struggling in this area. I make myself available to be used by You as an advocate for Your truth. I pray that any misinformation or error about Your armour will be exposed and overcome so that Telford Elim can teach and model an effective lifestyle to stand firm against Satan’s wiles, devices and attacks. We are in a battle for souls of men, women, young people and children. As we engage in the battle – Your Kingdom reign is established in more lives, and in more areas within our communities. Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in and through Telford Elim. In Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen

Aug 28 – ‘Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm’ (Ephesians 6:13, NLT).

Father, thank You for the command to step up and participate, with Your Spirit and word, in this cosmic battle. I ask to filled with Your divine power afresh each day in order to stand firm. It is not a hopeless battle, a battle we are destined to lose. When we are imbued with the Spirit’s power – it is a battle that can be won in Christ. We declare His victory over our church and the lives of all who join us online and in person.

May our church, and the churches of all who read and use these prayers, experience a wonderful empowering by Your Spirit so that we all can stand collectively against the enemy in these evil days, and in days of great attack. We are praying that each one of us will remain steadfast in faith, and true to Christ’s call to make disciples. Not only praying that we will stand, but live and minister in such ways so that we overcome and see Christ’s reign established in many lives, and in many communities. Amen

Aug 29 – ‘Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’ (Ephesians 6:14-17, NLT).

Father, You are the God of absolute truth. You are pure and true in nature, and truth permeates everything You do. As we pray today – we proclaim that your truth keeps us steadfast in Christ’s peace in this Christian walk living without the weight of destructive guilt. When we live in Your strength – we are surrounded by a belt of truth, and become spiritually strong and vibrant.

It is Christ’s righteousness that is the sole basis of my right standing before You. Righteousness is the foundation for a life that pleases You. We pray that Christ’s righteousness will once again be established across the UK, and every nation represented by those who read these prayers.

Your Son’s Gospel is the light of salvation for the world. It is also the foundation of my strength teaching me how to live victoriously in Him. We pray that we will have a great anointing to effectively preach the Gospel and live out its truth.

Our faith is the mighty barrier against everything that would seek to destroy us. We face great foes, but our faith is able to put out all the flaming arrows the enemy fires against us. We pray that as we listen to or read Your word, as we step out in faith in response to Your leading – our faith will grow and become stronger.

When we focus on the benefits of Christ’s salvation – this growing understanding and knowledge keeps our minds at rest. As we consider Your Rhema Word the precise instrument that cuts through the enemy’s defences and forces him to retreat or flee. I chose to walk in this armour today. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Aug 30 – ‘Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere’ (Ephesians 6:18, NLT).

Holy Spirit, be Thou my guide in all my prayers. Grant me a heart like Thine own focussed on Christ’s brothers and sisters. Direct my prayers, and my prayers in tongues so that my, and our, prayers are in line with Father’s will.

We face such great challenges in these days from every side, but the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is with us. Lord, may we be steadfast in worship and in the service of Christ. We pray that Your glory will manifest among us, and that men, women, young people and children will take hold of our sleeves and say, can I come with you for I hear that there is a great blessing in Your church, and in each of your lives. Lord, come and rebuild the fame of Christ’s name through Telford Elim, its people, and ministries, and through the churches of all who read these prayers. In Jesus’ name & for His glory. Amen