“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Welcome back to our new weekly prayer blog! Please do continue to pray with us throughout the week, and let us know how you are finding this new method of communicating prayer direction and response.
Each week we’ll have a little update from our various projects, friends at OICCU, and the wider world. Maybe work through this as part of your daily prayer, or sit down with friends and spend some time interceding together. Join us at Corpus Christi College 5-6pm on Tuesday for a time of reflective prayer too if you’re around!
Read this week’s verse and say AMEN! How exciting is this revelation?! How incredible to know that God is so fond of us. What joy!
As you pray this week, be thankful, be joyful, and be ready to do the things God has planned!
Maybe every day when you pray this week, you could pray for a different aspect of the events that have hit the news over the past week or so, in Kabul, London and Manchester. Pray for peace, protection, prevention.
Human Trafficking Action Group
This week IJM Cambodia has secured their first cross-border trafficking conviction, sending away three leaders of a Cambodian trafficking ring for their trafficking of six victims into the Thai fishing industry. The victims were compensated and the traffickers received up to nine years of prison time. A prayer of thanks to God for his providence in IJM’s securing of the necessary funding, the victims’ bravery in speaking out, and the free lives they can now lead. Last week IJM freed eight children from the horrors of cybersex trafficking in the Philippines following a 14-month operation. We pray for continued vigilance, strength, and courage in the fight against this horrendous crime; for healing for the young victims, and God’s work within the lives of the traffickers and buyers themselves who have strayed so far from what is right in committing these crimes. In Oxford we had a performance of ‘Bound’ this week, a physical theatre show about the stories of three interlinked victims of trafficking. The performance was incredible, and the audience were so moved by what they saw- please pray that God will continue to stir their hearts, and that this will be the start of a long-term passion for fighting trafficking. Please also pray for Anja, who runs and performs in the event, and the other cast; that they will secure the funding they need to keep on raising awareness and listen to God for the direction He wants them to take. Please also pray for HTAG as we look at our vision following the great success of Stand For Freedom, and how we can best continue serving God and fighting injustice here as students in Oxford. Pray for our vision time; for guidance, openness to God, and wisdom in looking at where to go next.
Do also be praying for the creative prayer event this Saturday, and that it will run smoothly, and be a fantastic time for people to connect with God!
Caring for Creation
The world was shocked this week by the decision of President Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, continually denying human caused climate change in the process. As the second largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world it is vital for a turnaround at this point, so pray for the American administration that they would see the importance of the issue, and for the many groups campaigning to have this decision revoked.
We also encourage you to pray this week about who you can talk to about anything you’re doing to care for creation, and encourage them to do the same!
This week’s photo of the week comes from the glorious Angel Falls in Venezuela!
Do also continue to pray for Homeless Outreach, OICCU, National JL, and the upcoming elections.
with love,
JLOx xxx