Pray For Wirral

Jump to: When – Stage 1 – Stage 2 – Stage 3 – What do I do next? – Who is behind this?

The Background

In 2007 a number of regional leaders from many of the main denominations began to meet regularly here in the Wirral with no agenda other than to build relationships and support and inspire one another.

Martin Dickson from Youth for Christ joined the group in late 2007 and he brought with him a deep burden for the Wirral and desire to see the church mobilised in prayer for the peninsula and its people. Over the coming months Martin began to set out the vision for what has become Pray for Wirral.

“There is no agenda other than to inspire people to pray specifically for the Wirral… and all that could mean” says Martin. “My hope is that Pray for Wirral will play its own small part in reigniting our passion for prayer. I am also hoping that many people will be encouraged to spend some more time alone with God just as Jesus did. I feel that we often treat God like McDonald’s – Fast food which tastes good for a moment but ultimately doesn’t really satisfy. In stark comparison is my Mum’s Sunday roast – we have to be patient and wait for it to be lovingly prepared, but when it arrives it tastes nicer, satisfies me longer and sustains me better.

I am inspired by the stories of Moses’ encounters with God in Exodus. When Moses returned to the people after meeting with God in His glory the people noticed a tangible change in him both physically and spiritually. I am convinced that we too are noticeably changed when we spend time alone in Gods presence and that we, with unveiled faces, reflect the Lord’s glory to the people we meet (2 Corinthians 3). If Pray for Wirral inspires people to spend more time deliberately connecting with God, seeking His face (Psalm 27.4-8) and patiently waiting for His response I will be so pleased.

The amazing thing is that we know God will respond; He says in 1 Chronicles 7.14 that if we humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our selfish ways, then He will hear from heaven and will forgive ours sin and He will heal our land”. What an awesome promise!”

When? 17^th-23^rd October 2010 (Launch Week) followed by a 2 year cycle of bi-monthly prayer themes each with a related event at the start.

Stage 1 – Preparation for Launch Week:In August every church in Wirral and many 100’s of signed up individuals will each be sent a small pack containing a suggested prayer point for each day of 17th-23rd October 2010. The same information will be printed on a full page spread in the Wirral Globe during the launch week with a headline which will inform the people of Wirral that Christians are praying for them. Postcards with similar information will also be made available at a small cost to allow churches to post these in their local area with any further information they wish to include on the reverse.

Stage 2 – Launch Week: By this stage its very much ‘over to you’ to choose what you would like to do. We acknowledge that we all pray differently and part of the beauty of Pray for Wirral is that it provides an opportunity to join (both literally and/or figuratively) with 100′s of others to pray for a specific theme whilst still allowing people to pray in a style that suits them. Our hope is that the week will see:

• Local churches holding a joint church prayer event during the launch week,
• A number of churches opening 24/7 prayer venues,
• Churches delivering postcards to the people in their area letting them know that the church is concerned with the things they are concerned with and inviting people to response with their prayer needs.
• Profile on local radio and or TV as in the Mersey Region prayer for young people week in 2009
• Many and varied expressions of prayer

Stage 3: Two Year Program: This high profile launch week is only the beginning. Encouraged by the magnificent stories that have come out of similar initiatives (City Links, Saltbox, MerseyPray, Etc) we would like to provide the local church with a bi-monthly prayer focus from January 2011 to January 2013 and perhaps beyond. Each of these focus points will be introduced with a gathering service where key people will be invited to share their thoughts e.g. a focus on the local council with an evening with WBC Chief Executive Steve Maddox.

What do I need to do next? At this stage we would like you to do two things. Firstly we would like you to register your interest here or by calling 0151 647 8400; we will then be able to send you updates via post or email. Secondly we would like you to start talking about it with other leaders, with your church, with your community and with us. What would you like to see happen during the launch week and the following two years?

Who is behind this?

Martin Dickson – Wirral Youth for Christ

Martin has been involved in Youth for Christ for over 7 years and became Director of Wirral Youth for Christ in 2006. Martin joined the regular meeting of regional denomination leaders in 2007 and was subsequently a member of the team which ran the Wirral based Hope 08 prayer meetings.

“I am passionate about the Wirral and particularly its young people, I am passionate about the gospel and I am passionate about the local church. When God draws all these things together something breathtaking happens and I want to see more of this. Some years ago I asked God to help me see the Wirral how Jesus sees the Wirral; it was then my youthful passion to share Jesus became a deep rooted compassion for the Wirral and an indescribable hunger to see God move like he did in Wales in 1904-05 and Lewis in the late 1940′s. Not a momentary peak however but something sustained; the start of new era of Spiritual, social and economic growth for the Wirral.

I believe God’s answer to Habakkuk’s longing for justice (1:5) is relevant to the Wirral today “Look and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

Howard Sharp is a key member of the Pray for Wirral team and has brought a wealth of experience from his time as a teacher and a URC Minister. Howard is also part of the team that co-ordinates MerseyPray.

Howard is currently the URC Moderator of the Mersey Synod, one of 13 Synods of the URC throughout the United Kingdom and the British Isles. He looks after 90 churches serving supporting and enabling them to engage in local mission and outreach with the gospel of God’s love in Christ as effectively as possible.

“I was consecrated as Bishop of Birkenhead on 8th March 2007, having previously been Vicar of Holy Trinity in Coventry for five and a half years,and Vicar of Aston in Birmingham for thirteen years. My passions are evangelism, justice and renewal, having been involved in some regeneration in Birmingham, and the development of youth ministry there and in Coventry. I was curate also in an inner-city parish in Birmingham, having been ordained in Birmingham Cathedral in 1984. During this time I was also Chaplain (part time) at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. I worked as a solicitor in Birmingham before ordination, having been trained in London, where I was brought up. I am married to Rosie, who is a part-time lecturer in family law at Chester University, and we have three children, Peter, Anna and David. I enjoy rugby, walking and watching films. I love black gospel music and Bach, and I love serving in this Diocese and living on the Wirral.”

• Rt Reverend Brian Noble, Bishop of Shrewsbury
• Revd Jim Booth, Methodist Superintendent for Merseyside
• Revd Phil Jump, Leader of MerseyPray & NWBA Regional Minister
• Revd Alison Gidney, Baptist Union
• Revd Arnold Dixon – Chair of Churches Together in Wirral
• Colin Ore – Lifelink International Local Leader (Kings Church)
• Jonathan Birch, Pioneer Network Local Leader (Pioneer People)
• Dave Frodsham, New Frontiers  Local Leader (Jubilee Church)
• John Cavanagh, Together for the Harvest
• CPO – Christian Publishing and Outreach

Jump to: The Background – When – Stage 1 – Stage 2 – Stage 3 – What do I do next? – Who is behind this?