...so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it, if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it

1 Corinthians 12:25-26

When one member of Christ’s body suffers, all members suffer with them. We believe that, as Christians, we are required to support our brothers and sisters throughout the world who are suffering for their faith through prayer and also by giving financially.

What do Open Doors do?

Open Doors was started 70 years ago in 1955 by Dutch Missionary Brother Andrew who smuggled bibles into countries where bibles weren’t allowed. However, now Open Doors does so much more as it seeks to support our fellow Christians who live in places where they are being persecuted, often hounded out of their homes and even killed for their faith.

Open Doors distributes bibles so that persecuted Christians can be nourished by God’s Word and they provide training and support for Christian Leaders in order that they can remain strong in Jesus and encourage others in their faith. They also support victims of violence and disaster through trauma centres so that they can live independent, fulfilled lives.

Presently there are over 1.6 million Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa who are displaced through having been forced to flee their homes and villages due to violence and persecution for their faith.

Many live in displacement camps, in overcrowded conditions in temporary accommodation with a shortage of food and water and few possessions.

Earlier this year we were privileged to receive Abraham and Eti from Pakistan to Guernsey who were able to share first hand how frightening it can be to be a Christian in a country within the Open Doors watchlist of the Top 50 most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. We hope to have more visitors next year.

How can you get involved?

Every couple of months Open Doors publish a magazine and Prayer Diary to help focus our prayers for persecuted Christians, they also release a booklet every January telling us of the top 50 most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian. These are all available under the Open Doors poster at the back of Church. There is an Open Doors prayer meeting which takes place the 2nd Tuesday in every month from 7 - 8pm in the Prayer Room at Church. We would love to see you there.

More information about Open Doors can be found at opendoorsuk.org 

A prayer for the persecuted church.

Father God,

We lift up our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Strengthen their faith, protect them, and remind them they are never alone. Let Your light shine through their courage.

We thank You for the work of Open Doors—bless their ministry as they serve and support those in danger for following Christ. Give them wisdom, resources, and protection.

Stir our hearts to stand with the suffering Church in prayer, in giving, and in love. May Your Kingdom come, even in the darkest places.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:23

Think
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What does it mean for you to have God with you? Maybe it’s a felt presence or maybe something you just know in your head and trust in. Who is this God for you today? Maybe He is very close or maybe distant. What do you need to say to Him today? What does He say to you?

Pray
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Emmanuel - God with us

What a beautiful gift from your generous heart of love.

In the busyness of this season we pause to thank you.

(Pause)

Thank you for the gift of your presence with us.

May we never forget your grace and kindness toward us in sending Jesus as a baby.

May your presence invade all our celebrations this season bringing light and hope to those in darkness.

May we be mindful of those who are suffering and alone and be bearers of your love to them.

Come again Jesus and bring hope to this world this Christmas time.

We thank you Emmanuel - God with us.

Amen.

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The Prayer Course is an eight-week journey through the Lord’s Prayer, with 24-7 Prayer founder Pete Greig and co-host Poppy Williams. Using a mix of discussion, testimony and teaching, join Pete & Poppy as they discuss what prayer is and how might we engage with it well. Petition, adoration, contemplation, intercession and much more. If you, or your community, are looking to grow and deepen in your prayer life then this series is for you.

(If you are intending to watch this series as a Small Group, there are also free study guides for you to follow.)

About RightNow Media

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Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.
Exodus 20:8

This instruction from God is for our own benefit. He is telling us to stop and have a rest, to take time to worship Him. Jesus showed us that this day is not meant to be a burden of keeping some rules but rather it is intended to help us. A rest energises us for work again and helps us to look at what is important. It changes our rhythm which we need for mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. It is a gift so enjoy this time just as God in Genesis rested and was pleased with what He had created.

Think
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Rest can mean different things to each one of us, think about what refreshes you which may be something you don’t find time for in your working week. (A swim, a walk, meeting up with friends, quietly reading, etc)

Consider how you can create a Sabbath, what would you like to have as part of your Sabbath? (Light a candle at the start, take more time to read the Bible, worship music, a family meal, etc)

Is your sabbath rest glorifying God?

Pray
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Lord Jesus thank you for the gift of sabbath.

Thank you that you showed us the way to create a rhythm of work and rest.

Thank you for your love and care which allows us time to rest.

Teach me your rhythm for my life Lord so that I may be rested and you may be glorified.

Please show me how to make more time for you and how to keep the sabbath holy.

Thank you Lord Jesus.

Amen.

Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.
Psalm 133:1

It can certainly be a pleasant place to be when we are in agreement with those around us! However, there are many times in life when we don’t agree and relationships may feel tense and even become fractured. Often these broken relationships can affect us for years. Just when we think the pain is well buried something happens to bring it to the surface again. God is working to bring us to maturity and has a very loving way of bringing issues to the surface and letting us chose if we deal with them.

If you’re not at peace with someone today ask God to help you resolve it, don’t let it become a more painful thing. Often, simply listening to the other and asking God for His heart as you listen will bring understanding, mutual encouragement and a way to be in unity.

Think
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Is there someone on your mind today who you are not at peace with? Ask God to show you Jesus’ way of love in the next step.

Are you aware of some in our church community who are in disagreement? Pray that they may find a way to be united, that their commonality may be greater than their disagreement.

Is there a place in the world on your heart today? Ask Father God to bring more of His kingdom in this place.

Pray
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As St Francis of Assissi prayed:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy."

Lord Jesus come and bring peace and reconciliation to our world today. Thank you for the diversity and difference, may that be celebrated rather than fought over and may you raise up the peacemakers in broken communities. May our church community be a place that reflects unity, a place that glorifies you in the way we demonstrate love and care for one another. Show me today where I may be an instrument of your peace.