Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for Department of Health, Health & Social Care Trust and Public Health Agency staff as they work to support and advise care providers during these challenging times. Give thanks for all those individuals, organisations and agencies who have worked tirelessly over the past 14 months to provide the appropriate  professional information and services and who are now planning the transition to the new normal in the Health & Care Sector.


Schools
Give thanks for those who voluntarily serve on school boards of governors and management across the island of Ireland. Pray for great wisdom and discernment as they seek to support principals and staff in making the best decisions for pupils in the midst of Covid-19 restrictions and other stresses.    


General Council
Pray for the Clerk of the General Assembly as he responds to, and seeks to interpret, the
changing regulations as they apply to church life going forward. Pray for wisdom, insight and a sense of unity of purpose as PCI’s leadership works with the leaders of the other main denominations.


Council for Training in Ministry
Third year ministry students are due to have what’s known as an “Exit Interview”. The student, a member of college staff and a member of presbytery meet to review the student’s training. When satisfactorily completed, the student is licensed by presbytery, usually in June. Give thanks for these students and pray for them as they reach the end of their college training.

God’s Plan (21 minute video)
Do you find yourself scrolling through social media and comparing your life to others? Don't get distracted so much that you miss out on the amazing plan God has for YOUR life! Watch this encouraging message from @leonfontaine
https://t.co/bdvOobM4ds

Let’s Pray For David Boyd (Irish mission worker in Dublin) 
Pray for the International Cafe team planning new online events to get to know, entertain and build relationships with students from overseas. Continue to pray for a woman who is doing Bible studies with David online. Give thanks she is getting a good understanding of the gospel.


Inch (Co Donegal)
Pray for this small island church as they continue to witness for God to neighbours and friends. Pray for them as they discuss future plans with the Linkage Commission and other local congregations.

Let’s Pray For Steve & Rosie Kennedy (global mission workers in Romania) 
Give thanks for new people coming along to the Cluj Christian Fellowship services and pray for the wise nurturing of these new relationships. Pray also for the wider networks that Steve and Rosie have begun to establish and that these will prove fruitful.


Spain
Pray for Grupos Bíblicos Unidos as they continue to train and encourage Christian students and recent graduates to share their faith with their peers on a daily basis. ​

Scripture Union
Latest Prayer Update from Andrew Neill the E3 North Coast Worker.
Read the Letter or watch the video

Prayer
How do we pray when we're going through a 'wilderness' season? Well, let's take a look at the story of Moses for some answers...
Watch Answers with Bayless Conley @BaylessConley now on UCB Player.
https://ucb.lightcast.com/player/21323/356169

Is Jesus Really The Only Way?
Help! My Beliefs Are Viewed as Intolerant
Michael J. Kruger, writes - As our world continues to speak about inclusivity, diversity, and tolerance, it can seem like Christianity is embarrassingly behind the times.
What is needed is perhaps some fresh thinking about how to engage the non-Christian world about the exclusive truth claims of Christianity.​

https://www.crossway.org/articles/help-my-beliefs-are-viewed-as-intolerant/

Open Doors - World Watch List
Open Doors has released the World Watch List. The list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian in 2021. 
The full list can be found here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/​

This week the focus is on Maldives the 15th most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about it here 

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/maldives/

Christian Unions Ireland
The prayer points for this week.

22 – 28 April
– Pray for all student committees in the handover process to new committee leaders. Pray that the transitions would go smoothly and that God would prepare and protect the minds and hearts of new leaders.
– Praise God for a student who came to faith through ‘FOMO’, Queens University Belfast CU’s (QUBCU) mission week. Pray they would continue to feel encouraged and built up in their faith by QUBCU.

Let’s Pray For Sonya Anderson (deaconess in Shore Street, Donaghadee)
Pray for the congregation, leaders and staff whilst the congregation is vacant. Pray too for the various children, youth and adult groups which have met online over the past year. They are thankful for the online platform, but long to have in-person groups again.


Howth & Malahide
Pray for this congregation and others in the Republic of Ireland who long to be allowed to hold public, corporate, weekly worship on the Lord's Day. Pray for a deepening grasp of why it is so important.

Finding Hope in the Halls of the Hospital (52 minute audio)
In this podcast, Kathryn Butler discusses her work as a trauma surgeon working in the ICU. She shares what it was like to be inundated with life and death situations day in and day out, how she coped with the stress of the job and eventually began to see God's grace at work even in the midst of deep pain and tragedy, and what she saw working in a hospital at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/podcast-trauma-pain-and-loss-a-doctors-story-of-faith-and-healing-katie-butler/

Let’s Pray For Moderator
Pray for the Moderator as opportunities to visit congregations may start to open up as Covid-19 regulations gradually relax.  Pray for his ongoing ministry of encouragement and pastoral care to all ministers and their congregations.


Gary & Mary Reid (global mission workers in Kenya) 
Pray for Gary and Mary Reid as they continue to work remotely from their home in Northern Ireland. Pray especially for their youngest son who has been studying online through his school in Kenya for over a year and is having to sit his school exams remotely.


India
Pray for the work and witness of the Church of North India as it seeks to be an effective witness. Pray too for the Covid-19 situation in India for those in need of medical assistance and for the vaccine roll-out.

Conversion Therapy
What is the problem with MLAs trying to ban Conversion Therapy, in this article from the Christian Institute they seek to explain the Presbyterian Church’s position. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland defends gospel freedoms as MLAs debate a ban on so called conversion therapy: https://t.co/84KA3WDopg

How do I know if I’m saved?
In this episode of TGC Q&A, @RevDaveHarvey and Michael Lawrence answer the question, “How do I know if I’m saved?”

https://t.co/rV77Ol0NbH

Let’s Pray For Social Witness
Pray for all who partner our homes/units – in providing food, maintenance, medical and nursing services, cleaning materials, PPE and all essential goods. Give thanks that they have maintained services through-out the Covid-19 crisis and have played a vital part in keeping our quality of care at a high and safe standard. 


Businesses
Give thanks for people who use their talents and gifts in the business world. Pray that those
working in businesses soon to re-open to the public would be equipped to make good and wise decisions following this long time of uncertainty.


General Council
Give thanks for the work of those who work in the General Secretary’s Department in Assembly Buildings led by the Clerk, Trevor Gribben.  Pray for those who are involved in answering numerous queries and fulfilling vital administrative tasks, often having to work from home and in challenging circumstances. ​

Unity (15 minute video)
We all want unity in our church or community, but it's easier said than done! Watch this powerful episode of @DiscipleshipXP to learn how Christian unity can only be achieved through modelling Jesus.
https://t.co/lAuMl4ieqa

Women in the Patriarchal World of Jesus Death & Resurrection (44 minute audio)
Have you ever heard someone claim that the Bible was 'anti-women'? Presenter Vicky Gibbens chats with philosopher Elaine Storkey, and they look at the courageous women in scripture and how we can learn from the way they challenged their patriarchal world.
https://t.co/FcG8SyeftC

Let’s Pray For Josh McCance (community outreach worker, Donabate & Balbriggan) 
Praise God for a great response to the spiritual gifts workshop held online. Pray that this would help people think about how they can use their gifts. Pray that the members of the church family grow in faith as they look forward to meeting again in person.


University chaplains
Pray for students coming towards the end of their last semester of the academic year and preparing for exams. Pray for PCI chaplains who continue to offer pastoral support to students and staff.

Romans
Every note of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans serves to create the symphony revealing God’s righteousness brought to bear in history through the saving work of Jesus. Learn more in this free course. https://t.co/QNoau4uDMo

Why is the Word of God SO powerful? 
​(30 minute video)
What is it about a book that lays the foundation of understanding the Creator of the Universe? Watch this incredible message from @DrRTKendall and discover the power of God's Word to redeem and restore us.
https://t.co/i5Mco5sUWJ

Let’s Pray For St Petersburg Christian University, Russia
Give thanks for the mission trip by students and staff from the university to South Africa and pray that the students on the trip will have new vision and perspectives. Pray that God will bless all the work of the university and multiply it in the ministry of its former students.


Nepal
Pray for United Mission to Nepal as it works hard to conclude its new General Agreement with the government of Nepal, including obtaining all necessary work permits for both expats and Nepali employees.

Open Doors - World Watch List
Open Doors has released the World Watch List. The list of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian in 2021. 
The full list can be found here
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/


This week the focus is on Saudi Arabia the 14th most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. Read about it here 


https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/saudi-arabia/

Christian Unions Ireland
The prayer points for this week.
15 – 21 April
–        Praise God for the opportunity UCDCU have to host an interview–style talk with John Lennox online on the 15 April. Pray for the various science societies that have been invited along as they hear what John has to say and engage during the Q&A afterwards, and that God would use this event for his glory.
–        Pray for the CUI prayer evening. Praise God for how technology has provided the means to unite with others from around the island and abroad this year, both students and supporters of CUI. May our prayers to him today and this evening be set before him like incense, pleasing and honouring to the Lord as we join together.

NEWS Moderator's thanks for over 1/3 million pound raised

The Moderator, Right Reverend Dr David Bruce, has thanked Presbyterian congregations across the island for their ‘prayerful and sacrificial generosity of spirit in some of the hardest of times’ for raising £337,147 to date to provide support to people in fragile, vulnerable countries, suffering due to the ongoing effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic. 

Launched in December last year, the Moderator’s Special Christmas Appeal, which replaced the annual World Development Appeal for 2020, has to date raised £337,147 (€388,393). That money has now be distributed between PCI’s relief and development partners, Christian Aid and Tearfund, who are already engaged on the ground in longer term sustainable development work amongst those most affected by Covid-19. 

The final third has also gone to churches with which PCI partners directly to support relief efforts in seven countries on three continents - South Sudan, Malawi, Indonesia, Nepal, Lebanon, Syria and Romania.

Read more here:
https://www.presbyterianireland.org/News/April-2021/Moderator-s-thanks-for-over-1-3-million-raised.aspx​

Let’s Pray For Louise Davidson (deaconess in West Church, Bangor)
Pray for the women’s ministry in the church and for the key role Louise plays in this. Pray that all the women who attend online meetings and events will feel a warm welcome and the power and presence of Jesus. Pray all will have a real desire to go deeper in their walk with God.


Glenelly (Co Tyrone)
Give thanks that during lockdown the congregation was able to hold drive-in services. Pray for the regular preaching of the Word - that sinners would be saved and believers built up in their faith.

Joy In Suffering
Can we find joy, even in suffering? That is what we are looking at from James this week. That seems like a tall ask! Watch this encouraging episode of @DiscipleshipXP to look at the story of Paul, who found joy in Christ even when facing incredible danger.
https://t.co/1ucxS4P6Yv

Prince Philip
A Life of Service - a tribute from J.John
Read it here.
https://canonjjohn.com/2021/04/16/prince-philip-a-servant-in-the-shadows/

Let’s Pray For Moderator
Pray for the leaders of organisations who, in Northern Ireland, may be able to plan for a limited return to some face to face meeting. Pray for congregations in the Republic, where restrictions preventing meeting together remain in place.


Indonesia
Pray for Timor and nearby islands which were hit by Tropical Cyclone Seroja on Easter Sunday with severe winds, rains, floods and landslides causing loss of life and major damage to communications, roads, bridges and buildings. Pray for all affected, especially for the leaders and members of our partner, the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor.


Brazil
Pray for the people of Brazil who are suffering greatly from Covid-19. Pray for the witness of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, that leaders and members will bring God’s comfort and strength to many.

John 3:16 
Probably the most famous verse! But who are the 'whoevers' in the 'Whoever believes in Him' part of the verse? Presenter Steve Best explores this idea with Mark Hayward in a short 2-minute reflection! Listen now on UCB Player.
https://t.co/kiRIjYDbAz