The beginning of the story, not the end...
On Good Friday the churches in Ballymena not only remembered Jesus sacrificial death, like churches up and down the land, but also began the Rebuilding the Walls 52 Days of Prayer initiative. Having been inspired by the story of Nehemiah and in response to the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) call to help with the drug issues in Ballymena and beyond, we began to pray. The we being:
100-140 people per week gathering to pray in the Prayer Room at The Braid, Town Hall between 12-1pm each day.
Over 150 first names of those from the Ballymena area impacted by addiction pinned to the cross and prayed for numerous times.
100-150 people reading the Nuggets from Nehemiah daily devotional to fuel our prayers.
39 of the 52 days covered by churches and ministries taking responsibility to pray for a day.
Wow, thank you Lord!
Since being made aware of the drug issues at a meeting with the local police in November this season of prayer has gained momentum. Crack of Dawn Prayer Walk on Wednesdays from 6.30-7.30am has grown from 8 to up to 35 each week. And we believe all these prayers are seeing results. The PSNI have reported over £50 million worth of drugs seized in the wider area since November.
Wow, thank you Lord!
Please don’t be fooled into thinking that this initiative has been the latest in a regular series of events that draw together the churches in Ballymena to pray into specific issues. No, one minister who has been in Ballymena for over 18 years said to me that in the time he has been here he has not seen anything like the engagement we are seeing in these days.
Wow, thank you Lord!
I believe one of the foundations to the faith filled and united prayer that we are witnessing is the faithful prayer of a small group of disciples who over the last 14 years have prayed as part of the Ballymena House of Prayer. When Alison asked me what my reflection was about all that we have witnessed and prayed in these days, I paused for a moment, and said,
“This is the beginning of the story, not the end!”
And so as our first year in Ballymena is nearing completion, we are giving huge thanks for the Lord’s goodness and grace as we have stepped out in faith. As we have said many times over this year,
“…it’s like he has gone before us.”
This was highlighted again to me last week when I was at a 24/7 Prayer Ireland Roundtable event and the speaker invited those present to imagine the Lord giving a wooden box to each person in the room. When we had received the box we were then asked to open the box and receive whatever gift the Lord had for us. As I opened the box I sensed the Lord say,
‘I have given you myself.’
and I was reminded of the words from Exodus 33:14,
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
As we have prayed through this season for the those stuck in addiction, drug dealing, criminality, coercive control and para-militarism in and around Ballymena, I have been struck time and again by the word “surrender”. Surrender is a word I came across on my dog walk last week where a loyalist political message was daubed on a wall.
It’s time to wage war against everything in us that says, “no surrender”. It’s time to surrender our own ways, means, agenda, dreams, hopes and lives to Jesus. If our prayers are to have any value at all they need to not only be words, but they need to have arms and legs on the ground. Everyday is an opportunity to lay our lives on the altar for God.
“What we need now is a revival of holiness; a revival of character; a revival of people who are utterly selfless and prepared to lay their lives on the altar for God.” Leonard Ravenhill
Jesus put it this way,
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24-26
How we respond to these days will determine whether this really is the beginning of the story or the end…
We are asking God for ‘What next?’. There is so much to be done. so many more prayers to be offered. God has opened our eyes to a number of opportunities and we are asking for wisdom and guidance and for Him to lead the way forward. Please join us in praying ‘What next Lord?’ for Ballymena and beyond as we join with others seeking transformation for this community.
One specific prayer is for an evening on 17th June for churches in the Ballymena area who want to engage on a deeper level with community transformation. We are working with Thrive Ireland to help this process. Please pray for good uptake of the Church Community Transformation process.
Another prayer is for the possibility of working with Teen Challenge to reach out to these stuck in addiction.
Giving thanks…
For the glorious weather we have experienced over the last month.
A very encouraging parents Evening for Eliza.
Exam season for Erin & Eliza is over + good results for Samuel over this year.
That since Erin started taking medication for her migraines almost a year ago she has not experienced any episodes or symptoms.
Eliza’s tummy pain has improved hugely since cutting out gluten from her diet.
Anne - my mum out of hospital and doing as well as could be expected.
Various meals with new friends.
For the Lord’s provision over this last month.
Various specific financial gifts we have received:
to purchase a new tent for part of our summer holidays (Yorkshire).
a house to stay in for the rest of our holiday (Scotland).
to purchase ferry tickets for holiday and a lawn mower (the old one died).
Bill & Barbara (friends from Lee Abbey) visiting.
Bill, Barbara & I at Gracehill Village Square David, Alison’s brother visiting.
David, Alison & I at Glenariff Waterfalls For all that the Lord has been doing through Rebuilding the Walls 52 Days of Prayer.
Various training events - Spiritual Conflict Training, 24/7 round table & a Leaders Morning with Mark Sayers.
Opportunities to speak at MN8 Mens Night at Ballymena Elim Church & Sunday morning at Victory Praise Community Church.
Prayer Requests…
For the, ‘What next Lord?’ after the Rebuilding the Walls 52 Days of Prayer.
For both our Mums (physical and mental health).
For good rest and family time as the summer holidays begin here at the end of June.
For Samuel to find a part time job.
Samuel doing his Duke of Edinburgh Gold expedition.
Samuel is going to Lee Abbey Youth Camp.
Eliza going to ‘Summer Madness’ (a Christian Youth Camp)
Erin as she has a friend from Devon visiting later this month.
Good health for the whole family.
For our financial needs:
We are asking the Lord for an increase to our regular monthly income.
Could you become a regular giver to help the ministry the Lord is going before us in…?
Could you give anything from £5- £100 per month to support us?
We are asking the Lord for additional funds for our summer holiday - spending money for activities, food, drinks etc.
Fees, flights and spending money for Samuel to attend Lee Abbey Youth Camp - £350
Flights for Erin and Eliza to visit friends at Lee Abbey in October half term - £400
Provision to cover ministry costs of around £50-100 per month.
A laptop for ministry.
If you are called to support us financially please scan the QR code or click the ‘Support us through Stewardship’ button.
Thank you so much for your prayers, love and encouragement!
N,A,S,E&E
P.S. If you would like to join us for a catch up video call on Sunday June 29th 8pm please send us a message so we can send you a link for the call.