BURN BRIGHT - PRAYER - PRESENCE - PURPOSE (THEME 2023)

ISAIAH 62: 1-12 MSG

For 2023 in London Network Church, we as a leadership felt God was calling us to burn bright through prayer. This leads to a greater sense of God's presence, which in turn leads to a greater sense of God's purpose.

BURN BRIGHT

Regarding Zion, I can’t keep my mouth shut, regarding Jerusalem, I can’t hold my tongue, Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun and her salvation flames up like a torch. Foreign countries will see your righteousness, and world leaders your glory. 

ISAIAH 62: 1-2 MSG

We are called to be God’s Prophetic Mouthpiece, Kings and priests who cast their crowns and adore Him, a people called to reign and rule. God will vindicate us and He delights in us.

There is a call… for the church to BURN BRIGHT as His people, His body, His bride. You can be secure in His covenant. We are to speak to the world through sharing the gospel and speaking God's truth in love this year. The world is looking for answers because everything is crumbling around them. There are wars, economic stress, health issues and political polarisation.

When God calls us something we become it - that is why the truth sets us free. The truth calls us from what we are into who He has purposed us to be.

You are precious to God. HIS HEART BURNS BRIGHT and He longs for us to draw close and be held by Him.

Remember that God WILL build HIS CHURCH. So what part are we to play? One of those things is to proclaim his gospel and prophetic word; but also we need to pray.

PRAYER IS THE ENGINE ROOM OF THE CHURCH

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;
    they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the Lord,
    give yourselves no rest,
7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
    and makes her the praise of the earth.

Isaiah 62: 6 - 7 NIV

Prayer is the engine room of the church, it’s the secret weapon for us to wield. Be tenacious, draw intimately close to the Father, call to remembrance the promises of God. Take seriously the call to PRAY. Prayer releases PROMISE, POWER and PRESENCE. It’s not about religious ritual, but intimate relationship. PRESENCE, PURPOSE and POWER is released through INTIMACY.

God is going to restore a love for His word.

There is going to be a release of finance, abundant radical provision that is almost counterculture.

God is going to restore mental health and true peace and joy. The church is going to clear the way for breakthrough in the nation. There will be fulfilment of promise and release into purpose, a Joseph season of abundance. Invest for the future. Turn your ear to the voice of the Lord and He will direct your steps.

So answer the call: BURN BRIGHT

What A Year 2020 Has Been? By Alex Afriyie

Who could have imagined at the beginning of 2020 that we would have been dealing with the corona virus, race and justice issues worldwide and the possible end of a Trump presidency.

Photo by Julian Wan 

What has God been doing through all these things?

Well at the beginning of this year we felt that God gave us Isaiah 60 1 - 3 as a church:

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.

We had the prophetic theme on our hearts, 'Living the Kingdom Life' and a global theme 'Better Together'.

I really believe that this interprets what God wanted for us this year. 

To arise in the darkness and show up strong as Christian's knowing that our light (the light of Jesus shining in our hearts - 2 Corinthians 4: 6) has come.

Darkness speaks of ignorance produced by sin (a state of rebellion and separation from God), but light speaks of revelation and clarity and peace.

This has been a year where as the people of God we have had to learn again to make God our source of security and then courageously be present to serve the world in love and power. The world has needed our love and unity in the midst of political disunity (including Brexit), racial disharmony and suspicion surrounding the Covid virus.

I hope this year you have arisen in leadership, compassion and your unique spiritual and natural gifts and made a difference to your family, friends, church, neighbourhood and sphere of influence in the market place. 

People living in darkness need us as the church to speak clearly about the dignity of all human beings, the availability of help and healing in Jesus and the Kingdom of God that is greater than any earthly political party or movement.

I hope you've had the courage to stand for the kingdom of God and not get bogged down with the enemies agenda of division and fear.

Photo by Julian Wan