EEC Blog

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• The owner has agreed to sell us the new building subject to planning permission & with no strings attached
• Our fellowship was kept safe during the floods and no major damage or loss of life occurred
• That our Lord Jesus is all-sufficient, a very present help in trouble.

• A smooth & successful planning application for the new premises
• The work of the Gospel in Greece; for Evangelos’ ‘Times of Refreshing’ newspaper &  a new premises in Patra
• Louis’ trip to Romania (see NL article); for safe travel and working conditions, for courage facing into the unknown, for openness to God’s direction
• The work of OMF, especially in Japan; see <NL article> for requests.

• God’s people to rally round to help with the new building in whatever way God moves them
• All those who have asked you to pray for their marriages, homes, children, work and health
• Spreading the Good News (Ennis street work this month -  5th & 19th, see <NL article>).

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• The safe return from Uganda of Dave, James & Yvonne
• The birth of Robbie, grandson to Tom & Phil
• That the Lord kept everyone safe and blessed the weekend away. 

• Glen & Linda, as she begins treatment for cancer following the birth of son Robbie
• Smooth-running of the shoebox appeal and an end to adverse publicity
• All involved to be blessed by the recent mission to Uganda
• Healing for Jimmy, friend of Noreen (now attending VIA), who is partly paralysed as a result of an accident
• Those being made redundant, that they would find jobs quickly. 

• Strength and recovery to full health for Margaret & Carrie
• All whose finances are uncertain as the recession continues to bite
• Street witnessing every other Saturday night in Ennis (planned this month for 7th & 21st)
• Our Lord to provide for the new church building
• That God would continue to stir up His people to reach out to those around them
• That we would seek God for a deeper walk and a closer relationship with Him.

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• For the way God continues to work in Cloughleigh and especially Friday Club (see p5)
• For the many good conversations had on the streets of Ennis & Lisdoonvarna during September.

• Trust and patience while our Sovereign Lord works out His will for our new building
• Plans & preparations for this year’s OCC shoebox appeal
• God’s blessings upon Cheryl as she returns again to the US
• Those going to Uganda with the Fields of Life mission.

• God’s people to be burdened to serve according to His will
• Healing for those sick, suffering or in pain in our fellowship. Meantime, may His grace be sufficient
• Street witnessing every other Saturday night in Ennis (planned this month for 10th & 24th).

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• The safe return from S Africa of Dave, Avril, James & René,
• of Stephen & Amanda from USA and
• for God’s provision to allow Kathy to come back to Ireland
• All our brethren returning safe and rested from their holidays. 

This month, please pray for:

• The Lord’s provision for Clare Lodge residents, especially our brothers Alphonse & Joseph, as the hostel is closed and many have to move far afield
• Protection, wisdom, patience and concentration as our children return to their (new) schools.

Please continue to pray for:

• All whose finances are uncertain as the recession continues to bite
• Street witnessing every other Saturday night in Ennis (planned this month for 12th, 19th & 26th)
• Wisdom regarding a new church building.

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• For recent opportunities to show love in Cloughleigh
• For the softening of immigration officials hearts in the granting of visas for Cheryl and Mary.

• God to resolve the long outstanding residence applications of our brothers & sisters from overseas
• Courage to witness and bear His reproach as necessary (Heb 10:33, 11:26 & 13:13)
• A speedy recovery for Bethany.

• All outreach activities, especially that more hearts would become burdened for the harvest field
• Street witnessing every other Saturday night in Ennis (planned this month for 1st, 15th & 29th)
• Healing for those sick in our fellowship.
• Comfort for those suffering a loss in their family.

We’ve spoken a lot about prayer lately and I thank God that He is showing us the importance of coming to Him with the desires of our hearts. Desires that, if put there by the Lord, will be answered - He promises us so! The understanding that He burdens us to pray for the things that He wants to move on is a revelation to me!

And how that understanding fuels my faith to pray into what sometimes seem impossible situations!! Yes, I know we all say nothing is impossible for God, but can we ALWAYS believe it? Well, hearing that someone has been burdened to pray for such a situation helps my faith soar.

We’ve all seen answers to our prayers during our walk with the Lord Read on…

If you have prayer requests or want to share the joy of answered prayer with others, why not let us know?

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• God’s blessings on the last Friday Club of the year & the party enjoyed by all!
• For affording our youth the opportunity to relax at camps in Christian fellowship after their exams
• For those feeling called to intercede, witness and serve in the church.

This month, please pray for:

• The mission to Cape Town; pray for safe travel, safety whilst in SA, the necessary finances, the varied work assigned and ministry opportunities
• Families as they begin to plan and take their summer holidays; pray for wisdom, safety & blessings
• The Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth.

Please continue to pray for:

• God to burden you with situations/people to pray for AND for ways in which you can serve His Kingdom
• Outreach: street work 4th & 18th and open-air at Willy Clancy w/c 5th July
• Our Elders; that they may be strengthened and guided by the anointing of the Holy Spirit as they tend the flock.

Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! (Psa 66:20)

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• For healing: that Colm in Switzerland is much improved and
• baby Evan has had surgery and is recuperating (see News in Brief)
• Phil’s son has agreed to come on a Christian men’s weekend

This month, please pray for:

• God to burden your heart to pray for something specific
• Ways you can help work out His plans (Heb 10:24)
• Fri Club kids over the summer break
• Open-air preaching every other Sat afternoon in Ennis, at festivals, etc
• The Pavitt’s family visit in S. Africa
• Government and local leaders (1Ti 2:2)

Please continue to pray for:

• Each other (see VofTheM & 1Ti 2:1)
• 4You Magazine distribution
• Street witnessing every other Saturday night in Ennis (planned this month for 6th & 20th)
• Perseverance in all that God burdens you to pray for

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• That Ekene & Carleen and their new babies Emmanuel & Regan are doing well
• That the Lord gives us the heart to rally round and help those in need
• That Laura Doherty, Michelle and the other passengers injured last month in a road accident are recovering from their injuries.

This month, please pray for:

• A safe delivery and a healthy baby for Vanessa & Alan
• All students preparing for and taking exams
• All those struggling with worries, anxiety or depression.

Please continue to pray for:

• Wisdom for leaders to know God’s will and that His church will be built on good foundations
• The children and staff who heard God’s word during the Amazing Journey last month at Knockanean School
• The bibles that will go into homes as a result of the Amazing Journey.

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• For a good outreach meeting at UCG, when John McCarthy gave his testimony
• For the large number of children attending Friday Club
• For Tara’s successful operation and continuing convalescence.

This month, please pray for:

• The Amazing Journey presentation at Knockanean School on 1st April
• The new fellowship at Lahinch as Steve & Leslie settle into their new home
• All you know who are ill or struggling with work, finances or relationships.

Please continue to pray for:

• God to move in power in Ennis and Co. Clare to bring in a mighty harvest for His glory
• His guidance for EEC, esp. for new premises to accommodate our growing numbers
• For Friday Club in Cloughleigh, to reach children AND parents with the Good News!
• Street witnessing every other Saturday night in Ennis (planned this month for 11th & 25th).

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• That Tara’s operation went well
• For Friday Club -The number of Cloughleigh children is now around 30 & the Lord has provided great workers
• Praise Him for keeping children and helpers safe, esp. the night the window was smashed
• Keep praising God for the open door He has given us to teach children the Word of God, and for the parents we are getting to know.

• John at the 4th March outreach meeting with UCG students
• Cheryl as her present mission here draws to a close, that God would continue to provide and guide her in all that’s ahead
• Your opportunity to bring the Message of Hope to those anxious or suffering around you
• Students taking exams or awaiting results.

• Tara’s recovery after surgery
• Unity in God’s church, both within individual fellowships and between them
• That God continues to raise up people with different gifts, within His body
• Salvation for your acquaintances, neighbours, school/college/work mates and all around you in your part of Clare.

Jesus, I bow down before You as my resurrected Lord. Apart from You, I would only know spiritual deadness as a fallen son of Adam. In You I have a spiritual resurrection to new life. Now, I want to pursue You daily to see that new, resurrected life more fully developed in me. Lord Jesus, lead me, I pray, into more life, Amen.

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• For the workers being drawn to this part of the world to help gather in his harvest
• For His plans to extend His kingdom in Co Clare and beyond
• For continually teaching us through His Spirit as we grow.

This month, please pray for:

• All those we know who are expecting new arrivals in the next few months
• All those who might be anxious (perhaps about the worsening economic situation), that they would remember Paul’s exhortation and promise of peace in Philippians 4:6-7.
• Those who are sick, their friends and their families, especially that they would find comfort in His promises found throughout the Bible (e.g. Ps 23:4, 50:15; Jn 16:33; Ro 8:28)
• All of us to open ourselves to new areas of trust and to depend on God more.
  God makes a promise, faith believes it, hope anticipates it and patience quietly awaits it.

Please continue to pray for:

• The many faithful followers of our Lord in Uganda and other parts of Africa, that He would continue to strengthen them and provide for their needs
• His guidance for our church in Ennis.

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• That the Lord is evident in His works in our lives and in the town of Ennis generally
• For keeping everyone safe & for opportunities to witness in the shoebox warehouse
• For helping Annette find her engagement ring stone.

• Safety for those travelling over the Christmas holiday period
• All taking exams before or after Christmas, that the Lord will provide clear minds and good recall
• The Lord’s blessing on the carol singing and street witnessing/tracts
• Safe arrival of shoeboxes in Africa & Europe and that many children would experience the love of Jesus
• The true significance and meaning of Christmas to be made known to all in Ennis and the county of Clare.

• More labourers for the harvest
• Opportunities to witness to family and friends, especially over this special time
• The Lord’s blessing on our church, especially upon our Elders and Deacons.

India was featured in the May edition of the Newsletter but, in light of recent violence in Orissa and the need for prayer for the church there, we have decided to focus again on their problems.

Mission India reports that over the past seven weeks, Christians in at least a dozen districts in Orissa have endured relentless physical attacks and threats by Hindu extremists. The extremists’ campaign of violence began in retaliation for the August 23 murder of Laxmanananda Saraswati, a Hindu fundamentalist leader.

Last week, police in Orissa confirmed that Saraswati was killed by communist insurgents, not by Christians as the extremists have maintained.

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• All tasks completed during trip to Uganda, team returned safely and many (locals and visitors) were blessed

• For His protection and healing of brothers and sisters this past month

• For the early provision of a great warehouse for this year’s OCC shoeboxes

• The continued numbers attending each Sunday

• For His promise to move in power in our land.

This month, please pray for:

• The Lord to put it on the heart of someone to work with the Gideon bibles

• Those seeking work/just starting in new jobs

• Safety for our children and enough helpers for this important ministry as numbers in the crèche, Sunday schools and clubs grow

• Opportunities to witness and share the love of Jesus at the shoebox warehouse

• Give thanks for the promises in Ps 50:15:
“and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

• Pray that our lives will reflect God’s glory and the way we live our lives will promote God,

1Co 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Please continue to pray for:

• The Lord to show us His will in the search for a new building

• Our Elders and Deacons as they seek to know Jesus Christ and make Him known.

Aontas is planning another National Week of Prayer. They are hoping to encourage as many churches as possible to set aside the week beginning the 4th of November as a special week of prayer. So please do consider particularly seeking the Lord in prayer during this week.

While each church will make their own arrangements Aontas suggest some of the following:-

• A number of half-nights of prayer during the week.

• A special prayer meeting each night or each morning.

• Small groups meeting several times during the week to pray.

• Encourage people to set time aside for fasting before the Lord.

Our Tuesday evening meeting at Pavitt’s on 4th November has been designated as the venue for a regional prayer gathering.

See also International Day of Prayer, for the Persecuted Church

We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Col. 4 v2)

Here we find a wrestling Jacob - there a Daniel who prayed three times a day - and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer?

We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery!

A prayer-less soul is a Christ-less soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love.

Pray that … thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting- house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto must be, “Continue in prayer.”

Please give thanks for answers to prayer:

• For Sinead, our new sister in the Lord
• For both Shane & Katie getting jobs
• For the workers that the Lord of the harvest is bringing to Co Clare.

This month, please pray for:

• More people to help investigate outreach opportunities and get involved
• The Lord’s blessing as we look into outreach opportunities and that He would open doors for us
• The Lord to send you some needy people to witness to, share with, or pray for

Please continue to pray for

• God to show us His will for a new church building and drop-in centre in Ennis where the EEC can be more visible
• More people to have the heart to witness to others and to volunteer for street work on Saturday evenings  
• The Lord to pour out His love and mercy on the town of Ennis and County Clare
• The work of the Fields of Life teams in Africa and at home.
• In particular pray that
  • many lives will be changed for His glory
  • The vision is refreshed and His power is manifest
  • Practical and legal details will proceed smoothly.

God my Father, I see that Your way is not merely a way of theology but of life, for You have set us in relationships. Where our relationships are wrong, help us to put them right in Jesus’ Name. Amen

This month, please pray for

·         Shoebox activities, including the provision of a suitable warehouse

·         the Lord to watch over our teenagers, keeping them safe and helping them during this rapidly changing time in their lives

·         Shane and Katie’s need to register to maintain temporary residence in Ukraine

·         Those moving away from the area. Pray the Lord continues to guide them

·         A stop to the continuing trend of secular teaching, in direct contradiction to the Bible, in our schools

Please continue to pray for

·         Those who are unwell or recovering from illness

·         Our  civic leaders and officials, that they avoid the temptations of the world and uphold sound Christian principles.

Dearest Jesus teach me to generous, teach me to love you as you deserve to be loved, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest to labour and not to ask for any reward save only to do thy holy will O my Lord.

Continue to pray for the 4You magazine distribution – for those handing the magazines out and also for the people who have received them. Pray that their hearts may be open to what they read. Please pray especially for the girl on the Gort Road who requested a DVD.

• Pray for the young people in Ennis after the recent spate of tragedies that have occurred.
• Pray for Brian, Brenda and their family in the USA.
• Also for Denise and Mira as they spend the summer months in the USA.
• Pray for Matthew and Masha’s Wedding plans!!
• Pray for the upcoming Baptisms on the 15th July.
• Continue praying for Shane and Katie and their ministry in the Ukraine.
• Pray for the work of the Christian Surfers in Lahinch and for George who is working with them for the summer.
• Pray for Lahinch and the Shannon Church and evangelism as a whole in the county of Clare.