Local
This page contains prayer points for many different activities that go on in First Antrim, in Antrim Town and Ireland as a whole. It will be updated from time to time, so make sure to check back again!
FOG CLUB
Thanksgiving:
--give thanks for a loving and merciful God
--freedom to teach the word to our children and God's provision of committed teaching
staff and for each other as we prepare to teach
Pray for our children:
--that they would be responsive and ask questions and that the seed would be sown
--that their behaviour would be good and for good relationships with each other
--for protection that the devil wouldn't snatch it away and that children would enjoy being in FOG Club and develop good friendships
--protection for them at school and at home and God's wisdom for them in the choices that they make
Pray for Teachers
--God's equipping and enabling to present lessons to the children from God's word
--positive relationships with the children
Pray for Parents & Grandparents
--that the Holy Spirit would prompt and encourage parents who don't bring their children to FOG Club
--give thanks for parents and grandparents who bring their children each week and in so doing instil the good habit of being in God's house each Sunday
--that they would not be discouraged in the important roles that they have
Pray for the children of this town
--parents and families who have yet to come to church. That the Holy Spirit would move in their hearts so that they would come under the gospel.
Children's Day Sunday 10 June
--Pray for God's leading and provision as preparations are made for Children's Day.
Prayer Ministry
Prayer ministry/Divine healing is God working to bring wholeness of body, mind and spirit. When you come for ministry of prayer it is to Jesus that you come. Many in our fellowship have received physical healing, others emotional and/or spiritual healing! That's why we provide opportunities for prayer ministry where people can come along for prayer and the laying on of hands. "You do not have, because you do not ask God." James 4:2.
More could make use of this ministry on the last Sunday of each month after the pm service so please pray:
--That God would show us miracles of healing through our ministry to others.
--That we would do what God brings to us and be faithful in that and leave the rest to Him.
--That God would fill us with compassion for others particularly for the sick so that His power would be available to heal the sick.
--That in all the lovely things He does for the people we pray for that He will get all the glory and praise.
--That God would generously pour out his spiritual gifts to minister effectively to others and that we would 'eagerly desire the greater gifts'.
--That God would draw people to ask for prayer ministry.
--That First would acquire an atmosphere of the empowering presence of God and a readiness to believe in the miraculous.
Girls Brigade
Please pray:
--for God's guidance as we prepare for the display (20 April)
--that all we do would bring glory, honour and praise to His name
--for girls that they would be enthusiastic in whatever they are doing
--for safety and guidance for the girls over the break, especially for those doing exams or changing schools/college/university
--for leaders that they would have a good break between the end of April and September and that they would come back refreshed and ready to begin a new year with the girls week by week
Friendship Group
Meet 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1:30pm in Bruce Hall. There is a welcome for all ages.
Thank God for:
--the opportunity to have a variety of speakers
--for the friendship and fellowship of each other.
Pray for:
--the committee as they plan programmes and events
--members to encourage others to come along and enjoy friendship over a cup of tea
--God's blessing on this work
--as God's people we would continue to do the work God has planned for each of us to do.
SU E3 worker Mark Hawthorne
E3 stands for Engaging, Equipping and Empowering Christian pupils, teachers and the local church so that God's good news would be known in school. Mark is the E3 schools worker for the Antrim borough and he is a very busy, enthusiastic and professional young man who is passionate about seeing young people commit their lives to Christ. Often we under-estimate the golden opportunity we have with this programme to see the gospel reach hundreds of young people who would otherwise have no contact with God's word. Mark and his team want you to know your prayers are essential.
Give thanks for:
continued financial support, many from our own fellowship support this work regularly
Mark and his team, many of whom are volunteers
contacts already made with schools, one in the maintained sector
contact with and encouragement for children from our own congregation
"The Amazing Jesus" lessons in Groggan Primary School.
Continue to pray for:
"The Amazing Jesus" lessons starting in McKinney PS and Loanends PS
Easter Assemblies in various schools and that the Easter story may impact lives
Rathenraw Integrated Primary School where a number of staff are off sick
RE lessons in Crumlin Integrated College
SU after schools programme in Antrim Grammar, pray that the faith of many of our own young people will be strengthened as they take part in outreach activities
new dates for programmes for Riverside School
the special post-primary inter-schools event on 29 March called "Unite" taking place in the Old Courthouse. This year's theme is "ID, The real you". Pray that Christian pupils across our borough will invite their friends to this fantastic interactive event and be united and encouraged in the process.
Henry Wilson
Please pray for Henry in his work as Chaplain in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast:
for the patients and staff he spends time with, that they might be ministered to and reached with the hope of the gospel
for Henry's return to health and full recovery
for the other members of staff and deaconesses who carry a heavier work load during Henry's absence
also for Brian Hugh, former member of 1st Antrim, Chaplain of Belfast City hospital, off on sick leave and for staff there who "stand in the gap".
2nd Antrim Boys' Brigade
Give thanks for:
good numbers of boys and leaders who attend regularly
great opportunities to teach boys about God through stories, songs and Bible class
friendships developing between boys, and between boys and staff as they learn new skills.
Please pray for:
the Annual Display on 2 April - pray that preparations and Display will go well with boys showing their skills and abilities to the best
that as the session comes to the close, that boys will be kept safe over the summer, but that they would also remember what they have learned at Boys' Brigade to help them become men of God
that all boys will continue to grow socially, physically, emotionally and spiritually
ongoing energy and enthusiasm for leaders to conclude the session on a high, and to continue to plan over the summer for the new session
that the Company will continue to play an outreach role for 1st Antrim, creating an exciting programme that will welcome all boys into the church.
Maghaberry Needs Your Prayers
Pray for Staff:
Hundreds of long-serving staff will be leaving in the next 6 months. It is a very unsettled time for each of them personally, and within the establishment.
Pray for Prisioners:
Friday 2 March began a Bible Study open to all denominations to prepare for Easter. Thank God for a good response from a wide diversity of prisoners.
Planning for a Men's Breakfast and Evangelistic opportunity on Saturday 10 March.
Pray for Chaplains:
That the Chaplains may have clarity of purpose, compassion and graceful approach to prisoners and staff.
Pray for discernment as the prison service reviews the Chaplaincy function this Spring.
Pray for a covering of God's grace for the Chaplains in all aspects of their lives, that they may serve God's purposes without hindrance.
You don't know what prayer leads to: At the request of a man held in the Republican wing, I left a copy of the Presbyterian History in the library this week, another man on that wing said "You know good people - get those people to pray for me."
Good News Club
The main aims of Good News Club are:
to reach unsaved children with the Good News (the Gospel),
and to build up Christian children in their faith.
We fulfil these aims through teaching truths from God's Word and showing how they apply to the lives of the children.
We teach through Bible lessons, singing, memory verses and worksheets related to the truth being taught.
A small number of children are attending regularly and we thank God for each one of them.
It is encouraging to hear that even very young children remember what they have learnt: repeating something taught in the Bible lesson in conversation at home, reciting a memory verse 'out of the blue', or singing one of the songs as they play.
Please pray that more children will come who are not hearing the Gospel anywhere else.
To make the time more suitable for some of these children we will be starting at the earlier time of 3:30 and finishing at 4:30.
The leaders will then meet for prayer after the club rather than before.
Above all, please continue to pray that God will be glorified as children come to faith and grow into strong Christians.
Divorce Care
Please pray for Maud and team as they begin the new seminars later on this month.
Pray for those who will attend, that they would not feel inhibited and that the seminars would be of benefit to them.
Pray that those who attend would feel the love of Christ and be challenged to live Christ-centred lives.
"Inspire" Homework Club
"Inspire" Homework Club was created as part of the outreach ministry for Antrim Town.
A typical day at homework club begins at 2pm when leaders arrive, share thoughts, have a cuppa themselves and most importantly pray.
We have a computer area, homework area, reading area, games and snack area, craft area and the Dixon room is used by parents to get together and have a cup of tea while the children partake of the facilities.
The timetable is very structured; as this helps maintain order at the club. A typical day runs as follows:
3.00 - 3.30 Healthy snack and chill time.
3.30 - 4.00 Homework/ computer/ reading zone and worksheets for children who have no homework to complete.
4.00 - 4.30 Craft (curriculum based, themed each week)
Upcoming themes are Egypt day, Leap Year, St. Patrick's Day, Pancake Day and Titanic.
The homework club remains free of charge as this ensures that the club is available to all children.
Any fundraising that the homework club does is vitally important to keep this wonderful outreach ongoing.
Currently 13 - 16 children attend the homework club every week, most of whom do not attend our church.
Prayer points:
At present we are running with as many children as we can handle due to the "hands on" nature of the club.
To increase the work of the club, pray that more leaders would be available to help on a regular basis.
Pray that those who attend will see Jesus in our lives and through the outreach that we do.
Give thanks and pray for the leaders. For continued energy, creativity and good health.
Pray for the parents, that they will continue to come along to the club and will be encouraged to come to other organisations in First Antrim.
Pray that relationships between leaders and parents will continue to grow.
Pray for the child who wants to come to homework club but for some reason can't.
Chat n Chew
CHAT n CHEW Give thanks to God for how He has blessed this initiative and how it has progressed since its inception and for those who have come through our doors to enjoy a chat and a chew! Give thanks, too, for the members of the team who come along faithfully week by week to welcome and talk to our friends who gather in. Relationships have been built up.
Pray for:
relationships to grow stronger and for the foundations of friendships and trust that have been laid to be built upon
that more people will hear about our outreach and wish to join us
that the team will have listening ears, caring hearts and gracious words for those who are lonely, hurting, stressed and struggling
that our friends will see something of our Lord in us and recognise whom we serve
that the scripture literature will be used and prove to be helpful
that more helpers will join us for the couple of hours on Thursdays as sometimes we struggle to serve the food as well as talk to the folks
Let's Put Antrim First
The team who are involved in this ministry appreciate the members of our fellowship who provide the food on a weekly basis.
Pray that the seeds sown through each hamper might produce fruit
Pray that other opportunities may arise to share the gospel.
Prayer points:
thanks for the relationship established with Women's Aid
thanks for those who give so generously
for safety of those women in vulnerable situations
for Women's Aid staff who see what our church does
for more links into Home Start and Age Concern
for more links to other organisations who could benefit from this outreach ministry
Prayer for Government
Thank God for the opportunity for the issue of "human trafficking" to be debated in Parliament.
Pray that the Government acts in a way which better protects the vulnerable.
Pray that the rights of parents to have their say in how their children are taught on "Sex and Relationships" (SRE) will be upheld. SRE is included in Personal, Social, Health & Economics (PSHE) taught in our schools.
Pray that the views of parents, school governors and others concerned will be heard clearly by the Government.
Prayer for Youth Club
Give thanks for….
great start to club year
large number of young people attending each week
listening during epilogue
enthusiasm and witness of the leadership team
support from fellowship and parents
safe place where parents are happy to send their young people
Pray for….
our witness in the local community
effective witness of the leaders and Christian young people each Friday
practical demonstration of Christ’s love for each young person who comes through our door
the programme of events throughout the year
Prayer Points for Craft Class:
Give thanks for friendship and fellowship
Pray that Christian witness will continue to be much in evidence
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel
Pray for Rosemary as she speaks to the classes
Pray for new members, particularly for the first class
Prayer Points for Presbyterian Women
Give thanks for good meetings last year with encouraging numbers of young women joining us
Give thanks for a varied programme already planned for this year starting on 3 October (this meeting will be taken by members of the Wednesday morning prayer group who pray for schools and young people)
Pray for the leaders and committee as they plan the programme
Pray for some of our older members who are more house-bound. Praise God for their continued interest and commitment even though they cannot always come to the meetings
Pray for the younger women who try to come after a busy day at work and caring for families
Pray for our own missionary ladies who are currently overseas - Irene, Sarah, Beverley, Natania and Emily.
If you are a woman of any age - do come - join us. We meet at 8:15pm in the Dixon Room and finish with a cup of tea.
Prayer Points for Ladies Community Bible Study
For the ladies that attend that they will have the time and health to attend the study regularly
That God will teach us from His Word and help us to learn
That friendships will grow and the ladies will be supported and encouraged by each other
Please also pray for the ladies who help so willingly in the crèche making it possible for those with young children to attend, pray too that these children will settle in quickly and easily.
Prayer Points for FOG Club
Give thanks for the parents, grandparents and others who faithfully bring their children week after week
Ask that God would equip and enable the teachers to present His Word to the boys and girls
Pray for the children, that they would be able to listen and learn well
That seed would be sown in their lives
That the Lord would protect them at home and at school from unhealthy influences
That they would be nurtured at home and at church to love the Lord and follow Him
Prayer Points for Elevation
For the Holy Spirit to move in Elevation AM & PM. That young people and leaders would be aware that when we meet together, Jesus is central.
Pray that all our young people would be awakened to the truth of the gospel and that they would have a passion for Christ.
Pray for Elevation AM teaching 1st & 2nd years two Sundays a month and trying to help these 1st & 2nd years integrate into public worship.
Pray that Elevation AM would be encouraging and challenging to young people.
Pray for Elevation PM embarking on a study of Colossians.
Pray that this would be stimulating for ALL and pray that leaders would be equipped and able to teach groups of differing ages in ways that are relevant and challenging to the young people.
Pray for the different events that we will be involved with over the next few months - Presbytery events, including “Hi-Def: House Party”.
Pray for safety, great fun and fellowship and quality teaching times.
Pray that the Lord would send the right number of people to go.
Pray for our finances - weekends are expensive!
Prayer Points for CE
Pray for God to give leaders wisdom in everything they do and say
Pray for leaders to encourage one another and keep working as a team
Pray for leaders to have good communication with all the children
Pray for children to open their minds and hearts to God’s teaching
Pray for children and leaders to be kept safe.
Prayer Points for Tiny Tots
Appreciate prayer as Tiny Tots
Babies, toddlers, mums, dads, grans and child-minders, who come along would see God's love in action
Community - giving thanks for many years of reaching out to the children of the community.
(Tiny Tots is the new name for Mums and Tots - thank you for your prayers)
Prayer requests in respect of Session
1. that all members of Session would set a Godly example of leadership.
2. pray for unity of purpose that God's name would be glorified in all our ministries.
3. that Session would know and follow the Lord's will for 1st Antrim.
4. that the Lord would give us wisdom and discernment in all matters.
Praise and Prayer - the Parker family
We are thankful to God that He brought us here to serve Him amongst the people of First Antrim.
Bill would covet your prayers for the Holy Spirit's help in the weekly preparation for preaching, for enabling to finish his dissertation and so complete the requirements for the D. Min. degree, and for wisdom as he learns the ropes asconvener of the PCI Committee on Ministerial Studies and Development.
Esther is enjoying teaching Bible Class for the Seniors and Brigaders in GB.
This year's courses about living the Christian life. Pray that it will be of much practical help to the girls.
Louise's second year at Royal Holloway, University of London and William's first year at the Southern Regional College have both started well.
As many of you who have, or had, children at similar stages will appreciate, their day to day safety is always a matter for prayer.
Rachel and Abigail are very much at home in Antrim now.
We are thankful to God for all, young or older, who have befriended them.
Join us in praying that, as they grow up, they and their friends will be a godly influence in Antrim and beyond.
Prayer Points for Dr Crawford Ballentine
To know God's guidance in the many visits that need to be done each week.
To have a word in season to meet the different needs of each visit.
To be able to feel something of the pain, the hurt, the need of each individual situation.
Prayer Points for Rosemary Spiers
That I would be attentive to God's leading in what I say and what I do as I minister to others.
Give thanks for helpers at "ChatNChew". Pray that folks would enjoy a cuppa and build bridges into the community with the love of Jesus.
