For the third year in a row, we are having 10:10 Prayer on the lead up to Easter. Ten days to pray that people in our congregation and community will experience the fulness of life that Jesus came to give. Obviously this year 10:10 Prayer is happening in very different circumstances. We will be unable to meet in person to pray together. But 10:10 prayer is still happening at this time of crisis when we urgently need to seek the Lord. So please be part of it and engage in prayer using the resources and opportunities to pray.
How can you be involved?
- Each morning of 10:10 Prayer, starting on Friday 3rd April, a short daily devotion and prayer points will be posted on our church website and Facebook page. We suggest you use these individually or joining together as a family in your own home.
- We will have 10:10 Prayer slots in our online worship services during the ten days.
- There will be an online prayer gathering each evening at 8.00pm from Monday 6th – Saturday 11th April (see details below about how you can join in).
How can you join in the online prayer gatherings?
We will be meeting online using Zoom, which you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone. The Zoom app is available to download on the Apple App Store (for those using an iPhone or iPad), Google Play (for those using an Android device) or by visiting zoom.us on your computer. Once you have installed the app there is no need to sign up to Zoom. You simply click on ‘Join a Meeting’ just before 8pm each evening there is a prayer meeting. When you click to join a meeting, you will be asked to enter the Meeting ID which will be the same for all the prayer meetings during the week. The Meeting ID is 995 314 250. You will then be prompted to enter a password which is 008428.
DAY 1 – FRIDAY 3rd APRIL
Read Ephesians 1:3-8
Paul reminds us that Jesus is all that we need. In giving us Jesus, God has given us – “every spiritual blessing” (v.3). Read through these verses, giving thanks to God for all that Christ has done for you.
– Think of someone you would love to see coming to Christ and pray for them by name. Ask that God will use this time of uncertainty to cause them to seek Him and trust in Him.
– Pray for families and individuals from our church family in this time of lockdown. Pray families will display the fruit of the Spirit as they spend an increased amount of time together and that those living alone will not feel loneliness.
DAY 2 – SATURDAY 4th APRIL
Read Ephesians 1:15-23
Do you pray for other believers? If so, what do you ask God to do in their lives? Paul prayed that his fellow believers would get to know Jesus better, and have a deeper understanding of the hope they have in him. Pray that the Spirit will open the eyes of the hearts (v.18) of other believers to see these things more.
- Pray for our online worship tomorrow. Pray for Philip, Dean and others as they plan, prepare, record and edit our online services during this period.
- Pray that God would use these services as an opportunity for people from beyond our church family to hear the gospel.
Pray for those who are unable to meet online and feel particularly cut off from the church at this time.
DAY 3 – SUNDAY 5th APRIL
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
Look at the difference Christ makes to those who believe in him. Paul says it is the difference between death and life. And this is all down to God’s grace (vs.5,7,8). Give thanks that you have been made alive in Christ!
Give thanks for our Bible Class and Ablaze both meeting online, and pray for our Sunday School teachers as they find ways to connect with the children they teach.
Pray for neighbouring congregations unable to meet at present including Kells congregation, remembering Brian and Carolyn as they continue to minister to people in difficult circumstances.
Pray for those we support in gospel work in the Irish Republic as their outreach is disrupted at this time – Karen & Rhonda in Westport and the OM Centre in Roscommon.
DAY 4 – MONDAY 6th APRIL
Read Ephesians 3:14-21
Chapter 3 celebrates God’s grace shown to people in Christ. Paul then prays that the believers will be able to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (v.18). Take some time to give thanks for this amazing love.
Pray for the Moderator, Dr William Henry, and Clerk of the Assembly, Rev. Trevor Gribben, as they give leadership to our Presbyterian Church at this challenging time.
Pray for our PCI missionaries in Kenya during the pandemic. Stephen Cowan is in Tuum alone as Angelina and the rest of the family have returned to the UK.
DAY 5 – TUESDAY 7th APRIL
Read Ephesians 4:1-6
Paul talks about how coming into relationship with Christ brings us into a relationship with each other. If we act in the way Paul instructs in v.2, then it will lead to the unity and peace he describes in v.3.
Pray for local businesses continuing to provide vital services and supplies. Pray for local business people who are suffering because of a loss of trade.
Pray for owners of businesses in our congregation who are helping to supply shops and other vital services. Pray for them at a time of increased pressure and demand.
DAY 6 – WEDNESDAY 8th APRIL
Read Ephesians 4:25-5:2
This is what life governed by the Holy Spirit looks like. Pray that God will equip you to live like this so that you bring glory to Him.
Pray for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers as they meet the huge challenge that coronavirus has brought. Many healthcare workers have been redeployed to provide care for those with COVID-19.
Pray for the local nursing homes and those in our church family who work to provide residential care.
Pray for our local pharmacy in Connor, giving thanks for the valuable service it provides.
DAY 7 – THURSDAY 9th APRIL
Read Ephesians 6:10-18
Look at all the means God has given us to fight in spiritual battle. The ‘you’ in these verses is plural. This a fight we take part in together as the church, not as go-it-alone Christians!
Pray for local schools that are remaining open, even over the Easter holidays, to provide a place for the children of key workers to be looked after.
Pray for those we know working to support the church in Iran and Iranian Christians living in the UK.
DAY 8 – FRIDAY 10th APRIL
Read Matthew 27:45-54 – The Cross
The darkness in the middle of the day shows God’s judgment + anger against sin. In that moment Jesus is carrying all of your sin so you can be reconciled to God! Take time to praise and thank your Saviour.
Pray for those who will soon be moving into new houses in Connor. Pray that we will be ready to make contact with new residents when restrictions on daily living are lifted.
Pray for Philip and our Kirk Session that they will make wise decisions at a time when church life has been so disrupted. Ask the Lord that we will not lose ground or momentum in our planning for the future.
DAY 9 – SATURDAY 11th APRIL
Read Matthew 28:1-10
Notice how in v.10 the risen Christ refers to those who deserted him as his ‘brothers’. This is amazing grace!
Pray for those who are sick with Covid-19 and in hospital. In the absence of family and friends, ask that God will comfort them and reveal Himself to them as their refuge and strength.
As the daily death toll continues to rise, pray for those who are fearful and those who have been bereaved.
DAY 10 – SUNDAY 12th SEPTEMBER
Read Matthew 28:16-20
The risen Christ calls you to make disciples. How will you live out his commission?
This is Easter Sunday, a day that reminds us that death is ultimately defeated but the power of God in Christ. Pray that your fellow believers will be reminded that nothing, not even death, will be able to separate them from the love that God has for them in Christ. Seek God’s grace to be at work in people’s lives so that others will come to trust in Christ and know this ultimate hope in him.
Pray for us as a church that even in these difficult days we would clearly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ask the Lord to bring about transformation in the lives of people in this community so that they will know the fulness of life that Jesus came to bring.