Called to Pray
by Liz Beaton
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
The tide is turning in the nation.
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)
God is clearly calling His people in Ipswich to new levels of prayer, to prepare us for something new.
Why do I believe this? Because I’m hearing news of more groups of people getting together simply to pray and seek God’s face. And people are now calling me, asking for help to create opportunities to get together with others to pray, or sharing their vision to gather others to pray.
“Do you not say ‘Four months more and then the harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest!” (John 4:35)
And the fascinating thing is, God’s not limiting Himself to one or two people groups, either…
Encouraging men to pray
“But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9)
I’ve heard a number of encouraging stories recently of local men keen to pray in various settings, in churches, between churches, around the clock – and even in the workplace.
“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14)
Could this be a time for men of God to stand together in the nation and proclaim that “Enough is enough,” making a tangible difference with their intercessions? If so, let’s pray that God will graciously lead them to “stand and having done all, stand”.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Cor 16:13)
“Rise up women of the Truth…”
The following prophecy from Bishop Aristocoli, shared shortly before his death, was given to Mother Barbara in 1911:
"Tell the women they must belong absolutely to God. They must believe in the great things that are happening that God is doing on the earth. They must prepare their souls, their children and their husbands. And they will have very much work to do for God. Oh, what a great work the women will have to do in the end time, and the men will follow them. Not one country will be without trial – do not be frightened of anything you will hear…
“Britain will lose her empire and all her colonies and will come to almost total ruin, but will be saved through praying women…”
Again, I’ve been so encouraged and inspired by women contacting me asking for opportunities to pray. This really does seem to be the right time for women to come together on their knees for the restoration of marriages, families and for our children.
“The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.” (Lamentations 2:18-19)
 A young, groundbreaking, praying generation
25 years ago, a team of intercessors visited seven towns and cities across the UK in a year.
Ipswich was one of those towns.
Their cry to God back then was that the generation being born would be the revival generation that would see revival come to this nation.
Today, it seems to me that the young people of Ipswich are ready for God’s intervention in their lives; a fact that is evident from encounters Town Pastors have with them on the streets and the conversations taking place. I believe that when their own generation call them home – earnestly seeking God with all their hearts and crying out to Him – they will come.
“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3)
And there are signs that the tide is turning at other levels, too. In a meeting of partnership agencies working in the Night Time Economy recently, a key public figure said: “We’re looking for a culture change, where people are ashamed to come into the night time economy pre-loaded.”
Shall we – and young people in particular – be found in prayer for this: calling this generation into the Kingdom, helping them to prefer an alternative future, crying out to God for culture change?
How are you going to respond to God’s call to prayer?
I have an increasing sense that tells me that God is making a call to prayer NOW. So are we as God’s people ready to respond to His invitation? So let’s go for it, shall we?
“The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber…” (Romans 13:11)
In Mark, chapter 14, three times Jesus asked his friends to “stay and keep watch” in His time of agony. Three times he returned to find them sleeping. Why? Because they didn’t appreciate the significance of the hour.
Are we going to let the significance of this hour in our nation pass us by?…
Do you feel enthused, inspired or excited about praying regularly with other men, other women, other young people from across the town, or from your own fellowships or localities? Have you got family, friends, neighbours or colleagues you could commit to pray with regularly?
You may of course already be in a group. So please do let us know where you are, when you meet and how often. It’ll be great to see all the areas where God is seeding prayer across Ipswich and beyond. That way, we can link you with others who live near you, or who are available to pray at the same time as you in whatever form of group you choose.
If you are in a group, able to form a group, or want to be linked into a group to respond to the call to pray, please contact us:
God calls us to pray: “for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)
Maybe God has set us in this corner of His world “for such a time as this”?…
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