The National Leadership Team is meeting every Monday morning during this period of national emergency. This Monday we reflected on the need for committed and faith filled prayer for our Movement, the wider Church around the world and the many communities that we seek to reach with the love and the gospel of Christ.

There have been a host of local, national and worldwide initiatives to call people to prayer. We recognise that this is a time for all of us to engage in prayer as part of our everyday lives in following Jesus. We need to be a praying people. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6 we are in a battle and we recognise that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” but that we are urged to “pray at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6v12,18)

We are therefore calling Elim to Prayer. We are asking every Elim leader and member, along with all those who are connecting with us in our wider witness, to a Day of Prayer this coming Good Friday, 10 April.

We are calling for prayer through the Lens of Easter. As we come to Him from the perspective of God’s amazing love for us, of Jesus’ death and resurrection and the promise of the Spirit’s presence and power, we believe that God will move mightily in our current situation according to His Word and His promises. Let our faith in the Risen Christ and His relentless love and passion for people drive and energise our prayers.

Would you simply begin to share amongst your church community this call to prayer. On Good Friday, we will be calling on the Lord with all kinds of prayers. We are also asking that you consider fasting, either for the whole day or missing a meal. We are identifying a number of Prayer themes to bring us together in focussed prayer:

Praying for Unity

Jesus’ great prayer prior to the Cross in John 17 – that we may be One, that we would be known by our love “that the world may believe…”

Praying for our Community

For those who are serving on the front line – NHS workers, chaplains, emergency workers, delivery staff, shop workers, care staff. For those who are vulnerable, lonely, in need, fearful, searching for hope and peace.

Praying for Healing and Deliverance

For those suffering with Covid-19, for those who have other conditions at this time where treatment may be delayed. For this virus to be stopped in its tracks and eliminated.

Praying for a Turning to the Lord across the Nation

That in the midst of crisis many would be open afresh to Christ and would turn to the Jesus as Saviour, Healer and Lord. That in the season ahead the gospel would spread with signs and wonders following and the Church would be renewed and ready to be workers in a fresh harvest.

Whether your church is planning an online service for Good Friday or not, can I encourage you to spread the word – we are praying for God’s outpoured mercy, grace, strength, healing and provision in a time of great national and worldwide need. If you are planning a service, please think of sharing with listeners/viewers that this is a day of special prayer.

We encourage you to be creative in how you lead, encourage, release and mobilise prayer in your context and we look forward to seeing and hearing what the Lord does as we spread the word and the invitation.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7.14

Thank you for all that you are doing to love, serve and minister to God’s people who are part of your local church community and those beyond who are beginning to connect and tune in.

The NLT are praying for you a fresh and precious download of God’s strength, wisdom and anointing as you continue to lead and serve unto the Lord.

Every blessing

Chris Cartwright – General Superintendent