Week of Prayer: 11th to 17th October 2021
This coming week will be JCM’s week of prayer; where we encourage all of our family of supporters to join us in prayer for our ministry.
We truly believe that seeking God and committing all that we do to him in prayer is vital for our work. Not because we think we will somehow be twisting God’s arm into blessing us; but because we want this to be His work, not ours. It is his wisdom, his love and his resources that we need each day. Ultimately, we don’t want JCM to be our little kingdom, but an outpost of His great eternal kingdom – showing Jesus love in lives and situations where he is desperately needed.
Could you join us in setting aside some time to pray? We have provided prayer suggestions for each day but please use the points however and whenever they will aid your prayers best.
Prayer Meetings
We also have two Prayer Meetings planned:
- Tuesday 12th October: An in-person Prayer Meeting at Monyhull Church, B30 3PS. Starting at 8pm.
- Saturday 16th October: A Zoom Prayer Meeting. Starting at 8:30am. Please contact us by emailing admin@justcaring.org.uk for the login details. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to deliver breakfast but please feel free to eat yours during the meeting!
“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.” Psalm 140 v 12
Helping our beneficiaries however we can with whatever they need help with may sound vague, but it covers the vast variety of situations and support needs that we have faced over the past 8 years. We may not always be able to “fix” a problem, but we can always try to be there; walking with our beneficiaries as they face the ups and downs of living in our broken world.
Prayer Points:
- For wisdom to know how best to help in each challenge that our beneficiaries face.
- That we would always be looking to God for his resources to help navigate the practical and emotional challenges of Individual Support Work. We are limited and fallible, but He is more than able to redeem every situation.
- That everyone involved in our Individual Support team will know a close walk with the Lord and be growing in Christlikeness, so that we can better serve those we have been given to care for.
“For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth” Ephesians 5 v 9
The Gardening Project is slowly taking shape after 18 months neglect during lockdowns. It has been great to see our beneficiaries back there, enjoying being outside and getting stuck into the gardening.
Prayer Points:
- Give thanks with us that we are back at the Garden. We are particularly grateful for the local community centre agreeing to let us use their toilets – without this, even with lockdown restrictions lifting, we wouldn’t be able to invite beneficiaries to the Garden; so we are really, really grateful for this answer to prayer!
- We are delighted that so many of our beneficiaries have come along (including some who didn’t use to attend before COVID!). However, several of those who used to come before are finding it more difficult to attend for a number of reasons. Please pray for wisdom for us as we try to make the sessions as accessible as possible whilst keeping them COVID-safe.
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15 v 7
Our Zoom Groups have been so popular that we will be keeping some of them running even though we are now able to run our group activities in person again. They include: a weekly Drop In (usually with a quiz), a Fantasy Football League discussion and fortnightly Art & Craft meetings.
Prayer Points:
- Give thanks with us for the community spirit that has developed between everyone attending the Zoom Groups. They are really positive, supportive meetings and we are so thankful for the ways in which they enable our beneficiaries to show care and friendship to each other.
- Please pray for wisdom for us as we try to work out what our “hybrid” system of both Zoom and in-person meetings should look like. We want to be as inclusive as we can, but this will be a challenging balance to find.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4 v 19
JCM doesn’t receive any government or local council funding so that we aren’t restricted in what we can offer or length of time that we can provide support for. This means that we are completely dependent on donations from churches, trusts and individuals who share our concern to reach out to those who need help.
Prayer Points:
- Give thanks with us that God has always provided for our every need. He never fails to amaze us with his generosity!
- Please pray for our Fundraising Team, particularly as Christmas approaches – this is a very busy time of year for them as they prepare our Christmas Appeal.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3 v 5-6
JCM has long had the ambition to have our own base or HUB; a home that will enable us to reach out to more vulnerable adults. After years of praying the opportunity has come up to build this at our Green Meadow Garden. We are currently finalising the plans with our architect and it seems increasingly likely that we might be able to build it next year!
You can find out more information about the HUB Project HERE.
Prayer Points:
- Praise the Lord with us for this wonderful provision! He hasn’t just provided the opportunity but also people who share our vision who have been able to help guide us through this process. We also have received donations of £98,000+ without even starting to officially fundraise for the HUB Building Project!
- While we are delighted with the progress we’re making, there is still a long way to go (planning permission, raising the rest of the building costs etc…). Please pray that God will go before us and provide everything that we need to make this dream a reality that will glorify him.