One year in...
Prayer, Presence, Purpose and Provision..
On the 31st July we celebrated our one year anniversary of moving to Northern Ireland with a visit to one of the many ice cream parlours in NI, our favourite, Morelli’s. I don’t think we can quite believe that we have been here for a year, but what we do know is that we have a huge amount to thank the Lord for…
Prayer
Our call to Northern Ireland can be summarised in the words of a disciple to Jesus,
‘Lord, teach us to pray.’1
Having been in ministry for 20+ years and been a disciple for longer… I don’t think I have learnt more about prayer than over this last year. What I mean is that I am learning to dwell much more in His presence and what is growing can be summarised in these words from my devotion this week,
‘Consider how great is the grace of intimacy which results from encounter of the soul and the Word, and how great the confidence which follows this intimacy! I think such a soul need not fear to say, “my beloved is mine”.’2
Presence
As I am discovering more of the gift of prayer, I am learning to dwell in the Lord’s presence. I am beginning to see more and more the truth held in the words of assurance from the Lord to Moses,
‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’3
How beautiful. The Lord’s presence is a precious gift that brings peace as He comes alongside and helps us.4 He brings purpose.
Purpose
The Lord’s presence is so wonderful and as Bernard of Clairvaux says, gives such a sense of confidence. Confidence gives clarity that draws others into this place of prayer and presence. His purpose and plans are worked out.
In the vision of the valley of dry bones, Ezekiel is asked by the Lord,
‘…can these bones live?’5
This is such a desolate image and yet Ezekiel says confidently,
‘Sovereign Lord, you alone know.’
In Northern Ireland, historically know as a land in conflict and disunity, seen again in the riots in Ballymena earlier this summer and played out in much smaller ways week after week throughout the land, I hear the words of the Lord echoing to us…
‘…can these bones live?’6
The answer is yes, they can live and the Lord is clearly drawing His people in Ballymena to dig deeper in united prayer, to un-dig the wells of prayer pioneered in this island and find the fresh water of His Spirit again.
‘Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham… and discovered a well of fresh water there’7
Can these bones live, yes they can!
And so after a little pause over the summer we are building towards Awaken 24/7 Prayer Rooms, connecting in with the wider 24-7 Prayer movement in the Global Week of 24-7 Prayer, praying together that we will ‘awaken to the greatness of God’.
‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’8
At the moment there are 1000 prayer rooms registered for Global Week of Prayer in 100 different countries (of the 197 countries of the world). Why not look to join in…?
Provision
Over this year one of the biggest areas of growth for us as a family is moving from a certain level of faith and trust as to where our finances come from, to a whole new level of faith and trust. Humanly speaking I believe that I need to work to earn a living, this was something that was drilled into me as a young person. This belief has stayed with me throughout life and ministry… even though I ‘know’ that life is a gift and it is the Lord who provides for our needs, it is still so easy to trust in human effort rather than the Lord.
Our journey to this new way of faith and trust has not been a comfortable one. When you know where your monthly income comes from, how much it is and when it will come brings a level of security. That said, when this information is not known and you get a gift/s from unexpected source/s that is just about what you need to pay a bill or cover living expenses that month, that is an amazing way to help you see and understand how the Lord goes before us and it is He who provides.
When we first set up our Individual Partner Account with Stewardship (an amazing charity who receive gifts on our behalf and pass them on in a tax efficient), we joined their Support Raising Training to help get us started. One of the areas I found most helpful about the training was the Bible studies. One of these studies asks the question, ‘What can Christian workers learn from the Levites?’
Omique Williams, who helped lead the training says,
‘It’s worth remembering that there is a wonderful biblical precedence for living on the support of others that can transform perceptions of everyone involved in sending and going on mission work.’9
Numbers 18 says,
‘The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites. “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.’10
Unlike the other 11 tribes of Israel who were to enter the promised land, the Levites were not given land to work. They were set apart to serve the Lord at the Tent of Meeting and live off the tithes of the other tribes. This was a clear calling for the Levites from the Lord.
Omique goes on to say the Lord,
‘…established that those called to serve Him were to receive their income from those who benefitted from their service.’11
As disciples of Jesus we too have all been called into the Lord’s service. For some, that is to serve by giving to the Lord the first fruits of their labours, that others might be released to serve. For others, it is to receive from the Lord the resources His people give, in order to serve, ‘at the tent of meeting’.12
The Apostle Paul says,
‘…the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.’13
Our experience of seeing the Lord’s people give in order that we might be released to pray, to dwell in His presence and to walk in His purposes is a gift that we would never have imagined.
‘Building a partner team that support you both in prayer and financially gives God opportunity to work miraculously as we depend and trust on Him to be the faithful provider He is.’14
We have seen this miraculous work over this last year, and we would love to see more…
Would you consider joining our partner team?
Thanksgivings
For all that God has done in our first year of living as a family in Northern Ireland.
New friendships and connections.
At the end of June Samuel enjoyed a Duke of Edinburgh Gold practice expedition and the rest of us went to Nua Festival.
Eliza enjoyed Summer Madness with friends from the church where she did Alpha earlier in the year.
At the beginning of July we enjoyed the gift of just over two weeks holiday - a week in Scotland with friends, a week camping in Yorkshire and a weekend with Lee Abbey friends. We all enjoyed time catching up with friends and family.
The longer school holidays here (the whole of July and August) have been well received by all.
Samuel had a fantastic week back at Lee Abbey Youth Camp (thank you to all those who made it possible with transport, hospitality and even a birthday cake).
Some of us have rediscovered our bikes over the holidays.
This week we have celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary (20 years - how did that happen?).
Samuel has his Duke of Edinburgh Gold 3 night expedition this weekend and has taken up 2 new instruments over the summer (he’s been busy!).
A work laptop for Nick.
Prayer Points
Health for the whole family - we are still waiting for a paediatric appointment for Eliza whose iron levels continue to be high (a gluten free diet has definitely helped with her tummy pain, praise the lord!!). Alison and I both have a couple of medical appointments coming up and would appreciate your prayers for those.
Family - for both our Mums in their declining health.
A new school year and thinking about ‘What next?’ with university open days.
Awaken - for God to really awaken his people to pray and that we would see God’s Kingdom come in greater measure.
Planning and provision for a permanent physical Prayer Room in the town centre that can be a resource to the churches for prayer and mission.
Clarity to be able to steward well all that the Lord is doing through prayer in Ballymena and beyond.
Provision of a part-time job for Samuel.
Provision to cover driving lessons / car insurance for Samuel.
Provision to cover buying LogicPro for Samuel’s music course.
Provision of Microsoft 365 licence for ministry.
Provision to cover ministry expenses - £100 per month
Provision of monthly living expenses.
Thank you so much for all your love, prayers and support.
N,A,S,E&E
Luke 11:1
Bernard of Clairvaux quoted in Lectio 365, Wednesday 20th August 2025
Exodus 33:14
John 14:15-17a ‘If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth.’
Ezekiel 37:3
Ezekiel 37:3
Genesis 26:18-19
Ephesians 5:14
https://www.stewardship.org.uk/blogs/living-support-what-christian-workers-can-learn-levites
Numbers 18:20-21
https://www.stewardship.org.uk/blogs/living-support-what-christian-workers-can-learn-levites
Numbers 18:21
1 Corinthians 9:14
https://www.stewardship.org.uk/blogs/living-support-what-christian-workers-can-learn-levites