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Letter from the Local Church Leaders #12

By Katy & Graham Hill

Posted in Letter

I am sure that there are times when you cry out to the Lord almost in desperation.

Asking him what is going on and how much longer must you wait to see your prayers answered. We are in good company. Scripture, especially the Psalms, is full of people who are desperate and at the end of their strength, ready to give up. It is as we recognise that we cannot do it in our own strength and call out to God, that is often the moment he steps in. As if he was waiting for us to stop striving and begin trusting.

On Sunday after we closed the church for private prayer Graham and I stayed on in our personal time of worship. I had what I have described as a ‘rant’ with God, interceding on behalf of Graham that God would do something. And God heard. We are in a spiritual battle and Graham was aware that his spirit lifted at that time. As we took communion together in the sanctuary we looked back into the foyer where the Pentecost display remains and the sun caught the flame coloured ribbons on the display, lighting them up as if there was a real fire. We sensed God speaking through that to remind us that his Spirit is still with us and his plans for Emmaus remain.

The battle goes on but God continues to encourage us.

When we opened the church for prayer on Monday firstly Stephen arrived, telling us God had told him to get there. Then Dion arrived, an evangelist, and he too shared that the Lord had impressed on him the need to go there to pray. They shared words of encouragement and then we spent time in prayer. Both shared a clear sense of the Lord having plans for Emmaus and that the time to act in faith is now.

When asking the Lord which scripture to bring today I was drawn to Isaiah 40:27-31

Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
‘My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God’?
 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

May these words from Isaiah be both a comfort and encouragement to you.

If you are able to come down to church then please consider joining us for our times of prayer on Mondays, Wednesdays 2-4 and Sundays 10-12. It was encouraging to see more people last Sunday from the congregation. We still don’t see the way to re-opening for regular times of corporate worship, but the church offers a place of peace to spend time in God’s house in his presence.

The leadership team are continuing to focus our attention to the future plans and priorities for the Emmaus Christian Centre. As a fellowship we have been asking for many years that the Lord show us what is on his heart. The leadership team are working on pulling together what we have discerned into an action plan with priorities, objectives, and timescale. But during this process it remains vital that we all continue to ask the Lord to show us the way and to be at the heart of all that we do. Next Wednesday, 15th July, we are inviting you all to join our Zoom meeting which we are setting aside as a time of prayer and seeking the Lord. Graham will put the details of how you can join this in his covering email.

My prayer for each of you this week that if you are in that place of feeling weak, at the end of your strength and patience that the Lord will draw close to you as you draw close to him. Cry out to him as so many in scriptures show us. Tell him how you are feeling; it won’t be a surprise to him.

Shalom

Graham and Katy Hill, Local Church Leaders

Graham and Katy Hill, Local Church Leaders