“God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.” 1 Chron 5:20 (NIV)

This monthly email prayer bulletin supplements the Medway Towns Prayer Guide and is intended to inform and encourage a prayer response (appropriate to you) to current situations in Medway. 

 

·         Kingsnorth Power Station, Hoo: Pray into this contentious issue to build a new coal-fired power station which is focusing world-wide attention on Medway and likely to result in mass protests (see press article below) and may set a precedent for wider adoption of coal technology nationally and that a distinctive Christian voice will emerge locally that will provide a perspective on environmental issues. If you are interested in hearing about / praying more specifically into this issue contact Alec Hollingdale on alma@me13bd.freeserve.co.uk .

 

·         National Day of Prayer for Police: (http://www.cpauk.net/prayer.php) organised by the Christian Police Association on 1 May. Pray that the Medway police will be effective in administering justice, supporting victims, preventing and detecting crime, reducing the fear associated with it and building public confidence; that the church would respond to local issues and help bring communities together with the police to tackle local problems effectively. We do not have coordinated prayer support for Medway’s police, if you are connected to the service or other law enforcement agencies and would be interested in meeting with others to pray, please contact me on trevoraclarke@blueyonder.co.uk.

 

The following items are once again abridged versions of stories and reports published in the Medway Messenger which features a Churches Together column every Friday. Please pray and intercede as the Lord leads:

 

·         “Stoking up costs of protest march”: (pg 9, Mar 7) “Climate campaigners are calling on thousands of people to descend on Medway this summer to protest over plans to build a coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Hoo. Camp for Climate Action said a lot of people feel they have to break the law to make a difference on the big issues, we want thousands of people to get involved.”

 

·         “President is re-elected at TUC meeting”: (pg 41, Mar 7) “Jacqui Berry has been re-elected as president of Medway Trades Union Council. ”Mayor selected”: (pg 9, Mar 10) The next Mayor of Medway will be Cllr David Carr (Con). Cllr Ted Baker (Con) will be the deputy mayor.”

 

·         “Teen binge drinking worse than drug abuse”: (pg 1, Mar 14) “Binge drinking among young people is a bigger problem in Medway than drug abuse is the conclusion of Medway’s leading councillors following a fundamental review of drink and drug use in the Towns. Drink was blamed for yobbish behaviour, increased pregnancies, teenagers hanging about and high death rates. The biggest area of concern is River ward where police say nearly 160 crimes are committed for every 1,000 people.”

 

·         “£4m shot in arm for NHS”: (pg 1, Mar 21) “Millions of pounds are to be poured into the NHS in Medway. Three GP practices, each with a minimum of four doctors, are to be built in the Towns in places where people find it most difficult to get appointments, usually the poorest areas as well as two more healthy living centres.”

 

·         Schools: “Way of saying thank you to finest teachers”: (pg 24, Mar 28) “More than 3,500 teachers work with 24,300 primary and 19,800 secondary school pupils in Medway. MM are looking for the best of them as the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards 2008 get under way. Readers are asked to put forward someone they feel deserves special recognition for their outstanding efforts.”

 

Forthcoming opportunities to pray together in and for Medway:

·         Sat 19 Apr: Medway Worship Jam, open to all musicians and singers from local churches at Rainham School For Girls, Derwent Way, Gillingham from 8.00 pm. Those wishing to just join in and worship as part of an informal congregation are most welcome to come along too (refreshments served in the interval). Further details from Robin How on robin@robinhow.com or see http://www.jamminforjesus.co.uk.

·         Sun 11 May: Global Day of Prayer at Priestfield Stadium Conference Centre, Redfern Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 4DD from 2.00 pm until 5.00 pm (come and go as you can). Further details of this truly global event when Christians from all nations unite in prayer, from Peter Marchand on peter@inn.org.uk. 

Please continue to pray through these needs during the forthcoming month. Medway Celebrate, Wednesday lunchtimes at Emmaus Church Centre, Clover Street, Chatham from 12.45 pm until 1.30 pm (prayer from noon): 02/04 Neil Blain, 09/04 Beth Cawte, 16/04 Julie Hall, 23/04 Steve Lock and 30/04 Ruth Shopland. If desired, we can send a word file for you to copy and distribute. If you no longer wish to receive these prayer bulletins by email, please let us know by return. Thank you.