Let’s Pray For Training in MinistryThe Council will report to the Assembly this afternoon on its work during the past church year. Whilst still affected by covid, there is much to give thanks for. Pray that the Church will truly praise the Lord for his blessings in this area, and we will respond by seeking to serve him with renewed vigour in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Global MissionPray for wisdom and guidance as important decisions are made regarding our church’s work and witness globally at the General Assembly tomorrow. Pray for Rev Dr Liz Hughes (Council Convener) and Rev Uel Marrs (Council Secretary) as they present the report. Give thanks for Liz’s devoted service over the past 7½ years as she steps down from the role.

Let’s Pray For Opening Night Pray for the Opening Night Service of General Assembly as the new Moderator, Rev Dr John 
Kirkpatrick is installed. Pray that all invited guests: civic, overseas and those from other denominations will feel especially welcome, and that the service and indeed, all the meetings during Assembly, may bring glory to God.

General Council Pray for the opening session this morning at General Assembly as the business of the General Council is presented.  Pray that as we gather under the Lordship of Christ we will seek to be sensitive to his Spirit in our discussions, and submissive to his will in our decisions. 

Christian Unions Ireland
The prayer points for this week.
17 – 23 June
Praise God for the number of students reached with the first-ever Belfast city-wide mission (“HUMAN”) in February and for the unity shown by the CUs. Pray for a continuation of this in the months and years ahead!
Praise God for L who became a Christian during the follow-up from “HUMAN” Belfast! Pray for her as she starts her walk with Jesus and for her friends and the wider Queens CU as they seek to support her and others who have become Christians in recent months.

Open Doors - World Watch List
Open Doors has updated the World Watch List. The list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian in 2022. 
The full list can be found here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/


This week the focus is on Maldives the 16th most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about it here https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/maldives/

Let’s Pray For Mission in IrelandGive thanks for the committed service of Mission in Ireland personnel, deaconesses, Irish mission workers, chaplains and community outreach workers supported by mission grants. Pray that each will know God’s blessing and encouragement as they continue to serve him and share the gospel in Ireland.

Mission in IrelandGive thanks and pray for the ongoing work and witness of home and urban mission congregations and in particular for the ministers of each of these congregations.

Moderator Reflects on Time In Office
The Moderator’s office is a small room found near the end of a corridor on the second floor of Assembly Buildings. It overlooks Howard Street and the dirty dark-red brick of the little remembered former Presbyterian War Memorial Buildings opposite. While the view is unremarkable, the view that PCI’s two-term Moderator has had of the church since June 2020 has been anything but unremarkable, describing this time as ‘a great honour and a fascinating season’ in his life - as Mark Smith, the denomination’s press officer, discovered.
READ MORE HERE

Let’s Pray For ModeratorThe Moderator will reflect upon his two-year term of office at the opening night of the General Assembly this week. Following a deeply turbulent season for the whole of society, pray that the Church will grow in confidence in Christ as we emerge.

Worship in the family of GodDearfriend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 3 John 1:5.

In this week of General Assembly, give thanks for our denominational family. Pray for a sense of God’s presence in PCI congregations meeting to worship God all over Ireland today.

Global mission workers 

Give thanks for the dedicated service of PCI’s global mission workers. Pray that each will know the Lord’s leading and guidance in all aspects of their work and witness. Pray too for their health and safety at all times, and for their families.

Global mission partners   Give thanks for the faithful witness of PCI’s partner churches and mission organisations around the world. Pray for the Listening to the Global Church presentation to the Assembly on Thursday at 2.45pm and that our church will be challenged by what is shared.

Setting The Scene For The General Assembly
Presbyterians from across Ireland will gather in Belfast next week for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI). From Cork to Coleraine, Dublin to Donaghadee ministers and elders from the denomination’s 500-plus congregations, will listen, debate and discuss a range of church matters and issues that affect broader society across the island.
READ MORE HERE

Remembering Your Joy
A Conference for women, watch some of the Keynote speakers
WATCH HERE

Learning To Lament - Daring To Hope
Andrew Dickson, Community Partnerships Manager at the Bible Society in Northern Ireland, explores the importance of lament as we edge out from the shadow of the pandemic and introduces a new resource, Daring to Hope.
READ MORE HERE

Let’s Pray For Dementia In NI the number of people diagnosed with dementia is increasing; currently there are approximately 20,000 people diagnosed. In our Older People Services care homes we have over 40 beds registered specifically for people with dementia. Pray that people will not feel alone and isolated, and that they will be able to get advice and support from both Health and Social Care services and voluntary services specialising in this area.

EducationAs another school year comes to an end give thanks for those who care for and educate our children and young people in various roles across all educational settings. Pray that summer would provide a time of rest and refreshment for all. 

General Council

Pray for the meeting of the General Assembly which begins with Opening Night on Wednesday 22 June. Remember the outgoing Moderator, Dr David Bruce and his successor, the incoming Moderator, Dr John Kirkpatrick in your prayers.

Training in Ministry David Leach, Professor of Ministry, has completed his first academic year in post. Give thanks for him and all that he has contributed in fulfilling this demanding role, and pray that he will have opportunity to reflect and be refreshed over the summer period.

General Assembly
With the clock ticking down to the start of the 2022 General Assembly, which opens next Wednesday, Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick, minister of Portrush Presbyterian Church, and PCI’s next Moderator, has issued an open invitation to the Assembly’s Evening Celebration, which takes place next Thursday.
READ MORE HERE