Chariot of Prayer

Family news

After eating together we gave time to share stories from our lives this week. It was good to hear from a few people how they had been encouraged by God's work in their families. 

We also heard the sad news of someone's grandson being born ill and dying very soon after. This is their testimony:

Sadly, he was placed on palliative care and passed shortly after and is now in heaven. It is very sad. I held out for a miracle but not this time.

His parents are in a church. But it is desperately sad for them. 

God is faithful and has never let us down. We wait for much good.

It is good to share our experiences together, those that are joyful and also those that are sad.

Jesus' Chariot

Over the last few weeks we have explored what it means to be watchmen on the walls and also to take action, clearing obstacles to make a highway for God. That we are to pray and take action, bringing prayer from the edges to the centre and also responding as Jesus sends us out. 

We have also explored what it means for us to be ready for Jesus and how the way we relate to God impacts on how we use the gifts he has given us and how we relate to the world.

So when considering what to do this evening we wanted to take some time to weigh and take stock of some words that have come through. The first being from Ken, and the next from Jim Hodder.

Join Jesus in praying for his church in Southampton

After he left there, he came upon Jehonadab son of Rekab, who was on his way to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said, “Are you in accord with me, as I am with you?” “I am,” Jehonadab answered. “If so,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.” So he did, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot. Jehu said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord.” Then he had him ride along in his chariot.

2 Kings 10:15‭-‬16 NIV

Now the context of this scripture is that Jehu had been anointed king of Israel and this chapter describes 3 violent acts of cleaning up the land from Baal worship.

But Ken's word is not in the context of this scripture luckily... or maybe it is...

Richard this verse stuck out to me the other day, I thought I might as well share it with you in case you find it helpful. I'm pulling this a bit out of context, but it reminded me of a lifetime ago in church when we used to sit around in a circle holding hands and singing bind us together and if your heart is right with mine then take my hand.

I think the Lord wants us as a committed group to step into his chariot by faith and join our King of Kings in praying for his church in Southampton before the throne of God.

From Ken's word and interpretation we get the sense that... 

• God is on the move 

• and we are invited to participate with him and his plans for Southampton as co-labourers. 

We spent time in groups to consider:

- Jesus invites you into his chariot, what are your feelings?

- Where does Jesus take you in his chariot, what do you see?

- How does Jesus ask you to pray about what he is showing you?

- Do you feel that there are declarations to be made over the church in Southampton or other prayerful actions that we could take?

Feedback from groups

There are two main aspects of this picture for us:

• • Jesus' invitation: He wants to do things, and is inviting us to come along with him. This is an invitation into action with Jesus. Joining him on prayer missions! It's not being lukewarm or praying in a general sense, it is stepping into action.

  • Our accord and assignment in pairs/small groups: Jehu was looking for accord and agreement from Jehonadab and they took action together based on that accord. This is an invitation to go on prayer assignments together!!!

These are more points coming out of our talking and praying together.

• A chariot is meant to go somewhere. Where is Jesus taking us? Going to pray in different localities.

• Jesus is encouraging us to be observing and seeing with spiritual eyes. To go with him and see what he sees.

• We had a picture of someone being in the light but not wanting to be, hunkering down and shrinking back in their chair and trying to hide behind the chair in front. We felt this was us being nervous of this invitation and the church generally feeling reticent to accept this invitation to pray with Jesus. We felt God's encouragement to step into the light, reminded of who we are in Christ now.

• Chariot is a weapon of war. Jesus is doing the fighting, we are accompanying. The warring initiative is his.

• Chariot not for head-on open warfare but guerrilla warfare, specific skirmishes. It is also for working two by two. On specific assignments. We felt that this could be worked out in prayer walking in specific places with one another. 

• Links with prophetic passage: Rev 14: 14-15

  • 14 And there was a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like a Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap. The time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

  • Jesus in the chariot going out for the harvest (people ready to turn to Him). He shows us who to pray for, who is ready to accept the good news. Be prepared to help reap the harvest. We need revelatory knowledge of where he has prepared. 

• Feels like we are in a different time than before. Something more to step into in our praying. This image gives an energy. There is enthusiasm, purpose. Power. Jesus heart for the lost. There is a sense of light - dispelling the darkness.

• Specifically thinking about revival among students and public witness in the parks. There are pride events etc, why not church in the park again?

• Saw Southampton at a height. Eagle perspective. God is going to give strategies for what needs to be prayed for in different parts of the city.

• There is zeal here, but we are not to go beyond Jesus' command. Love and wisdom is going to overcome any opposition (not power).

• This is a Joshua generation - with courage.

• This is a Nehemiah generation - with courage and wisdom to stand our ground when opposed. Some threat are empty, some not - discernment to know the difference. Divine protection and intervention. We may look innocent, but the resources of heaven are all over us. Wisdom and innovation so we can act in new ways and surround the world with love!

Response

Having shared these things we prayed together.

A time of consecration and sense that we are together as a community accepting this invitation from Jesus.

Suggested follow up

1. Set aside a specific time in the week ahead to pray using this idea of Jesus inviting you into his chariot.

- Jesus invites you into his chariot, what are your feelings?

- Where does Jesus take you in his chariot, what do you see?

- How does Jesus ask you to pray about what he is showing you?

- Do you feel that there are declarations to be made over the church in Southampton or other prayerful actions that we could take?

2. Look for opportunities to go on a prayer walk with a friend (some of the community have already arranged this between themselves).

Other news

The leaders are meeting once a month to pray and review our progress as a community. This is our sense of where we are at:

• We are to pray and work for unity of the church (in all it's rich diversity!).

• The vision for us and the church is to bring prayer and mission from the edges to the centre of our lives and our churches. We have two equally important focuses for our prayer:

  • Jesus is drawing us near (Come to me!)

  • Jesus is sending us out (Go and make disciples!)

• We are to pray for the church in Southampton and the city of Southampton. We are to pray about specific areas such as schools, youth, mental health, art and events...

• We are to continue growing together as a community on Wednesdays, welcoming new people as they arrive.

• "Gather the intercessors" - make opportunity for specific prayer for the city and invite people who can't be with us each week to come along. Probably a monthly thing.

• We are to pray about a prayer room - that is something we believe we are eventually going to establish.