Dear All,

Between Ascension Day (1st May) and Pentecost (11th May), together with fellow Christians in Knutsford and around the world, we are sharing in 24/7 prayer for the nation, town and churches. We do so, mindful that this was the time when the first disciples and believers met together continually for prayer (Acts 2:14). They were waiting for the promised Holy Spirit, which would empower them to tell people about Jesus everywhere (Acts 1:8).

The prayer meeting is absent in so many churches, but prayer is a key element of our life together here at Knutsford Methodist Church. Whether we gather in prayer-meetings in church, prayer-times in our house groups or individually in our homes, prayer is a priority. It is a time to celebrate the presence of God and receive the assurance that He is with us in every aspect of our lives. People find that this helps them in their family, work place and leisure activities to find peace, guidance and strength. We also pray for one another and seek God's healing and wholeness for people's lives as well as wisdom for key events and situations around the world. If you would like us to pray for you during this time of prayer, please email us your request to kmc.office@zen.co.uk.

Living the Christian life is never easy. There is so much that can drag us down. We are prone to the same difficulties as everyone else. Yet we do not face them alone. The disciples were a weary, worn-out group of people who needed help to continue the ministry of Jesus. As they prayed, the Holy Spirit came upon them. The symbols of wind and fire were familiar symbols of the presence of God, which they experienced individually on the day of Pentecost. The church today is battle weary and depressed but God has promised that the forces of evil will never prevail against the church. As we pray and celebrate the presence of God, his Holy Spirit anoints us to reflect the character of Jesus in our lives, and collectively to perform the ministry of Jesus in our communities. He enables us to present Hope to people, through acts of kindness and speaking about what God means to us.

My prayer for myself and for you is that we will receive the Holy Spirit and release Him into the world. Many people making this prayer find that God leads them in new directions or they find a new love for people in their neighbourhood and want to love them in practical ways. No doubt as we pray over this period, Knutsford Methodist Church and the churches of Knutsford will discover new things about God and his love for this community. As we attune ourselves to God, his love will compel us to action.

The disciples on Pentecost certainly found this to be true. They were cast out from their hideaway (in the upper room of the house where they were staying) into the heart of Jerusalem. There, Peter went to the root of the problem for his hearers. The Jesus his hearers had previously rejected, they now realised was the Jesus they needed to receive as their Saviour. They needed to acknowledge that he was the one sent by God for them, and was the source of forgiveness and love. Cut to the heart, people began to receive Christ into their lives.

Prayer and Power was never meant to simply bless the people in the church but to equip the church to proclaim the wonders of God's love in the community. At our April General Church Meeting we had many ideas on what we should be doing. I am sure that, as we pray together, we will begin to sense God's priorities and put our ideas into action.

That is the direction God is leading this church. The content of this website contains news of how we are putting this into action. Whether you are a member or visitor I pray God's blessing upon you and pray that during this season you will pray, receive power and proclaim, in word and deed, God's love for the community where you live.

[TOP]