Avon River Team

Praying Churches, Serving Communities.

Prayer Partnership

The Avon River Team Vision for Prayer – Easter 2019

Dear Friends, “Praying Churches, Serving Communities”

 As a Staff, we have been carefully considering how we might be able to encourage more prayer across the seven parishes of the Avon River Team. After a sermon series on prayer in Advent 18, the establishment of a monthly waiting and listening group, and Bible study reflections on prayer, it’s fair to say we have made an excellent start in renewing our prayer lives.

The feedback, received from a congregational survey in January, suggests that we are all convinced that Prayer is vitally important, but finding the MOTIVATION to DO it regularly and often is challenging. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. So, the question we are left with is how can we encourage patterns of prayer that are not onerous, but sustainable and encouraging?

One suggestion put forward is to promote Prayer Partnerships/ Triplets amongst folk across our Team. Simply put, we are asking all who are willing in our congregations to agree to find another person to pray with once a month for half an hour or so. This can be done over a cup of coffee at home or a pint in the pub! What you pray about can be the topics in the Pew sheet that week, growth in the church, or personal needs… it’s up to you.

Who you pray with is also up to you. Is there someone you’d like to help in their own walk with Jesus? Is there someone who could nurture your faith? If it is helpful, we can pair people up, just ask. Jesus said, “when two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” (Mt 18 v 20)

 We, as a Staff, are convinced that increasing prayer across the Team is key if we are to grow our churches and serve the communities we live in more effectively. So our challenge is for people to establish a prayer partnership by Pentecost! At the Team Service on the 9th June, we will pray for a blessing on these prayer partnerships that they may be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Chrysogon Bamber has kindly offered to hold a list of participants and create an email list of folk to regularly communicate prayer needs etc…

With every blessing, Rev Philip Bromiley (Team Rector)