24-7 Rewind - Life in the Movement for Saturday, 8 March 2014
The Anagnorisis Series: Episode 3 // 24-7 Prayer Lent Podcasts
PETER: Restoration and Commission // Traitor or Trusted? [Matthew 26: 69-74 & John 21: 17] In the third episode of the Lent podcast series, Carla Harding takes a look at two separate experiences of Peter's. The first; his denial of being Jesus' disciple, the second; his new calling.
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The Story of a Prayer Space in School
It was one of the most effective sessions I have seen during my career. The ethos in the lesson was superb and the gentle interaction between adults and children was heart-warming - Mr Fay, Head teacher of Ulverston Victoria High School, Cumbria
Prayer Spaces in schools, one of 24-7 Prayer’s key initiatives, has seen incredible, international growth since it was first launched in 2008.
A couple of weeks a go the PSiS’ website put up a blog telling a school in Cumbria’s story following the hosting of their first prayer space. The blog has a whole host of awesome feedback and testimonies from the kids and teachers who got involved.
In case you missed it, we thought we’d put it out over here to help spread the good word! Here’s an abridged version of the article – you can read the whole thing over on the PSiS site.
Vic Sekasi, Furness Deanery Network Youth Church Leader -
We have recently finished an eight day prayer space in Ulverston Victoria High School, Cumbria, a community school with approximately 1200 students aged 11-18. It has been an exciting, fun and moving experience for all the volunteers, students and staff involved.
We set up 9 prayer activities - here are just some of the comments from the students who enjoyed them:
1. World Cup Prayer
“My favourite prayer station was the World Cup one– we might support the teams but we don’t know what it’s like to live in their country.” Year 7 student
2. Big Questions
"The Big Questions station was my favourite because it was a chance for me to write down what I felt and it feels like I got something off my chest.” Year 11 student
3. Prayer Wall
“It shows how God helps many people.” Year 10 student
“It made me emotional reading everyone’s prayers.” Year 8 student
4. Hopes & Dreams
“I liked thinking about my hopes and dreams because it makes you think more positively. Often we are made to think about all the negative stuff.” Year 7 student
“I liked writing my dreams for the world down.” Year 7 student
“My hopes and dreams for the future are that all people should have a home or at least have somewhere with a roof over their head that’s dry and have enough food to live with.” Student
5. Be Still
“I found out how to calm down.” Year 8 student
“It was very relaxing.” Year 8 student
6. Letting Go
“I liked the listening because I feel I don't need to worry anymore.” Year 7 student
“I enjoyed listening to the mp3 player and letting go of worries because you just sat there and it made you calm.” Year 7 student
“I liked the station when we wrote a worry down on a pebble in the form of a letter – it’s just a letter but it means something to you and no one else.” Year 7 student
7. Soularium
“I liked the station where we chose pictures that explained our life at the moment. It made me realise I was stressed and that I needed to be calmer.” Year 9 student
8. Stop the Traffik
“I found the Stop the Traffik station really interesting as I didn’t know that slavery happened in our country.” Year 7 student
“The trafficking station was challenging but it was interesting learning about other peoples lives and writing my feelings down about it.” Year 7 student
9. Identity
“I was struck by what pupils wrote about their identity on the pegs, some were positive and affirming and some were negative and broke my heart and it made me pray that young people would learn the truths about what God thinks of them.” Vic, volunteer
Prayer room full to capacity
During those eight days over 300 students came in and experienced the prayer space. The prayer space was open during break and lunch times…on an average day we had around five students visit during break times and 30 at lunchtimes.
We never expected the room to be so full! Some young people came back every day.
One girl, who doesn’t often speak in class, said that she is often negative but that during the lesson she was able to feel positive as she spent time thinking about her dreams and letting go of her worries.
Many of the prayers students wrote on post-it notes for the Prayer Wall were heart wrenching. One student prayed for her friend to stop hurting herself. At the end of one of the assemblies a year 8 girl came up to us and asked us to pray for her Dad who’s never walked. I was moved!
Fantastic feedback
We had great warmth and feedback from the staff too.
Mr D Fay, the head teacher sent an encouraging letter, thanking us for the Prayer Space initiative. He said, “I attended a classroom reflection session for Year 7 in our Beliefs Philosophy and Ethics programme and I have to comment it was one of the most effective sessions I have seen during my career. The ethos in the lesson was superb and the gentle interaction between adults and children was heart-warming! We would welcome Prayer Space back next year as part of the Year 7 BPE programme. Too often schools give into Ofsted pressures and neglect the spiritual needs of their students. The Prayer Space is a unique way of redressing the balance.”
From my experience of the prayer space I realised how things are bad & good and even though I have no religion it showed me how prayer can help if you have someone you can turn to for advice and help
A Year 9 student
Nick Beasley is an English Literature graduate who spent a year studying at the London Film Academy before joining the 24-7 Prayer Communications team. He’s mostly interested in films and music and is a Manchester United fan, though he has no geographical right to justify his allegiance.
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Blogging
The Anagnorisis Series: Episode 3
Nick Beasley
PETER: Restoration and Commission // Traitor or Trusted?
Matthew 26: 69-74 and John 21: 17
In the third episode of the Lent podcast series, Carla Harding takes a look at two separate experiences of Peter's.
The first; his denial of being Jesus' disciple, the second; his new calling.
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ANAGNORISIS - "the moment at which a character makes a critical discovery regarding their identity and true nature."
You can access the Podcast via iTunes subscription and YouTube. We will also be posting them via our Twitter and Facebook. Alternatively you can watch them directly on the Podcast page of this site.
Nick Beasley is an English Literature graduate who spent a year studying at the London Film Academy before joining the 24-7 Prayer Communications team. He’s mostly interested in films and music and is a Manchester United fan, though he has no geographical right to justify his allegiance.
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This Fairtrade Fortnight - Why Should We Care?
Rachel Roxburgh
Are You Fanatical About Fairtrade?
The temptation to write ‘If not, why not?’, briefly berate you and leave the blog post there, is, I admit, something I have to stop myself doing. But right now - we’re in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight, and it’s a big deal! (Pun intended).
So why am I so obsessed with Fairtrade? And why should it matter to you?
Well, firstly, it’s about products, and whether it’s bananas, coffee or cotton clothing, we all use products.
And it’s also about the places that make those products - where have your bananas come from?
But most of all it’s about the producers: The people behind the products. It’s ensuring farmers and workers in developing countries receive a fair deal for their produce, maintain dignified livelihoods and can develop their full potential.
Ultimately Fairtrade matters because it’s about people.
A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.--Proverbs 13: 23
I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will. - Edward Everett Hale
Your consumer choices count and you can make a real difference. God sees what you do in supermarkets as much as he sees what you do on Sundays.
It’s been 20 years since the first fair trade products hit the shelves, so the concept has been around for a while. But what exactly is Fairtrade and how can it change the world of commerce?
Fairtrade can be a way out of poverty. Currently 7 million disadvantaged producers, workers and their families are already benefiting from Fairtrade, which is awesome.
But they and millions more still remain at the mercy of unfair international trade rules. So we need to do more than buy Fairtrade – we also need to campaign for fair trade.
Make trade fair
We eat an incredible 5 billion bananas every year in the UK. Over the past 10 years, the typical price of a banana in the UK has nearly halved, whilst the cost of production has doubled. Definitely not fair for farmers.
I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process. - Benjamin Harrison
We’re called to ‘speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice’ (Proverbs 31:9). So this Fairtrade Fortnight join with banana farmers to make bananas fair!
And if you’re already into Fairtrade, what more can you do? Well… spread the word or try a new product. Stunning Fairtrade clothing exists and is well worth the extra pennies…could you treat yourself – even one item? Give it a go!
Whatever you do this Fairtrade week, take time to see the person behind the product and give thanks that everyday ethical purchases can change the world! ‘Let justice roll on like a river…’ (Amos 5:24)
Actions could include:
Buy Fairtrade as part of your regular grocery shop
Sign the petition to make bananas fair
Buy a new Fairtrade product
Tell others about Fairtrade
Encourage your church to become a Fairtrade Church
Pray for blessings on Fairtrade producers and co-operatives
Check the Fairtrade foundation website
All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'Fairtrade Friary 29 02 2012 (16) , (10) and (12)' by British Province of Carmelites and 'Taken in Sainsburys Emersons Green Bristol' and pin add
Rachel Roxburgh helps coordinate operations for the 24-7 Prayer movement and Prayer Spaces in Schools. Rachel lives in Horsham with her wonderful husband Alasdair and their two spoilt rescue rabbits. She loves singing (whatever the situation!), exploring the countryside, reading, baking and crafting. Rachel is passionate about people, creative worship and the power of prayer. You can follow Rachel on twitter.
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#praynow - Hazardous Pollution in the Brazilian Amazon
Laura Gish
Industrial pollution threatens lives in Brazil.
It’s produced from the intermediate production of steel in Brazil’s Amazon region. The waste product, called “munha,” is highly flammable, especially in drier weather. But regardless of its potential danger, the munha is dumped on roadsides near local villages.
Recently, an 8-year-old boy lost his life just by stepping in the hazardous muhna — his legs were burned up to his knees. Even though the locals’ knowledge of the danger has helped lessen the number of accidents, they still happen.
But the toxic muhna isn’t the only pollution problem in Brazil. In addition to the hazardous mounds of muhna, air pollution has become a topic of increasing concern.
Locals tell stories of a young girl dying from dust in her lungs. An elderly woman talked of how she has lived longer than most of her grandchildren, because from their birth they have daily been exposed to unclean air.
Water, soil and air pollution make it impossible for locals to continue living in their current location.
For those affected by this environmental crisis, God wants to bring hope and healing! Will you join me in praying for those affected by dangerous pollution in Brazil?
Pray for …
•Locals affected by air pollution and muhna to be relocated quickly.
•The steel production company and workers to implement ways to lessen pollution.
•People to be exposed to the power of God’s Word to bring hope and transformation.
•Healing for those who have become sick due to exposure of these harmful pollutants.
All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'parrots feeding in backyard nut tree' by peter
Laura Gish is passionate about prayer and God’s Word! She oversees prayer for The Seed Company, a Bible-translation organization based in Texas. She’s a sanguine-type who loves coffee with friends, family time, traveling, and hanging with her dog — and in no particular order. She loves a rich plot and always a happy ending. Follow her on the Million Praying Women blog or on Twitter.
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Going deeper
The Prayer Course
Six videos to fuel discussion and deepen the prayer life of your church
24-7 Prayer and Alpha have teamed up to produce The Prayer Course - six 10 minute videos, hosted by Pete Greig, to help you explore different themes of prayer found in the bible: adoration, petition, intercession, unanswered prayer, listening to God and spiritual warfare. Available for free download at www.prayercourse.org
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4-7 Prayer - UK Registered Charity 1091413
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