Work in Progress

Things to pray for:

June 30th 2008

• Praise: What an incredible year. Praise God for all that I have learned and experienced over this year.
• Fundraising: It is that time of year again. There is a monster task ahead of me: £12k in seven weeks. Fortunately I serve a God who provides. I ask that you would pray with faith for His provision. It is easy to get discouraged and fearful and so pray that I too would continue to have faith in His promises. Pray that God’s name would be glorified through the process. Pray with thanks for what He is going to do
• Home: Pray for the time I have back in Scotland, that I would get to connect with all the people I need to, that I would get the work done that needs done, and that I would also get a chance to rest.
• Life Change: God has done some great things in the lives of the people I have been working with here in America. Please pray that God would continue to move in their lives, drawing them closer to Him and giving them more of a thirst for Him. Pray especially that the series Plugged In would lodge in their hearts.
• Impact: I have life such a great adventure and grown in so many ways. Join me in praying for the people I will interact with when I’m home, that God would use the good things He has done in me to impact the people I interact with, leading those who don’t know Him into a relationship with Him, and propelling those who do further into His arms.
• The Gathering: The ministry I serve with is changing format for the summer, being more low key. Please pray for protection for the people as they could easily get spiritually lazy. Pray for Peter as He leads them through this next few months.
• Devotion: I love the Lord and desire His ways! Pray for me and my journey. Pray for increased faith and discernment, for growth, for wisdom. Pray that this summer break would refresh my soul and draw me into even deeper communion with Christ.

May 29th 2008

• Praise: God is good. He is faithful. Daily, I become more aware of my need for Him, and of His amazing provision. There has been a constant stream of blessings passing my way. Praise Him for who He is, and the gift of His grace
• The Gathering: Peter is gone for the month, and I’m left running the show. Pray that the Holy Spirit would move in me as I prepare this message series, and that He would move in the hearts of the Young Adults, drawing them into a deeper relationship with Him.
• Summer Schedule: My summer is looking rather busy. I have lots to do, and if I plan well, should have enough time to do it all. Pray for wisdom as I plan my schedule for the last 4 weeks here in Portland.
• Summer Classes: I am excited about the summer classes I get to take. Pray that I would learn and retain the necessary skills for my future serving Him.
• Fundraising: I’m starting to plan my fundraisers for the summer. I’m hoping to have a couple of concerts one at the start of the summer and one at the end. It’s easy for me to get discouraged when I think of how much money I have to raise. I have watched God provide for all my needs these last two years and so am confident that He will provide all I need for this year. Thank Him in advance for the way He will provide.
• Scotland: I have 4 weeks until I’ll be flying back to Scotland. Pray that God will be gracious and allow me to find a cheap flight. Pray for me as I get ready to spend time with friends and family, and working with my church, that God would be glorified through it all.
• Devotion: I’m loving the extra time I have to read things that aren’t for school. Continue to pray that God would increase my hunger for His Word and my thirst for prayer!

April 29th 2008

• Praise: What a semester! God has been faithful yet again in providing for my needs. Praise Him for his provision in all areas of my life. It has been a good semester academically. Praise God for the amazing truths I have been learning.
• Summer Classes: I’m taking a Conflict Resolution class, Greek, and also getting credit for internship this summer. It is my hope that by taking these classes I’ll be able to graduate May ’09. I hadn’t budgeted to be here for the extra two months or to be paying for classes and so pray that God will provide the remaining amount needed.
• Preaching: I am preaching in two weeks, and then doing a 4-week series starting the last week in May. Pray for me as I prepare, that God would guide my thoughts to the right topics and that He would anoint me as I prepare and as I speak.
• Fundraising: I will have about 8 weeks to get $21,000 together. It’s the biggest challenge yet financially but I am fully confident that God will make it happen. Pray that God would move in the hearts of those He has prepared to give financially. Also, please pray that God would give people a desire to organise fundraisers on my behalf. If you know anyone who likes to fundraise, please let them know of my need, and pray that God would inspire them to help.
• Graduations: Most people graduate after one or two years with only a handful remaining on for the M.Div. Because of that many of my friends are graduating this semester and moving on to the next step in their lives. Pray for those who graduate that they would be ready to surrender to whatever God has planned for their lives.
• Scotland: I’m looking forward to getting home but it looks like it will be a busy time. Ask God’s blessing on my time at home that I would be used to draw people closer to Him. Pray for my home church (Re:Hope) and the work I do with them over the summer weeks.

March 24th 2008

• Praise: God is still moving in the world today. God is in the business of transforming lives. Praise Him for the amazing work you see Him do in the world!
• Finances: I have received several donations this month which have been extremely helpful! Thank God for His continued provision, and pray His blessings over the people who support me. I will have less time to raise the necessary support this summer than I usually do and so pray that God would move ahead of me speaking to the people He has chosen to support me.
• The Gathering: This is the name of the Young Adult ministry at Grace Chapel. Pray that God would continue to move in the lives of the people at Grace, that His Spirit would be at work in the people at The Gathering, and that people would fall on their knees before Him in prayer and praise.
• Preaching: I have started preaching at Grace and I’m excited about the opportunity. Pray that God would give me the words to say, and that my skills would be enhanced through this season.
• Time: This is a busy semester. Pray for wisdom in how I use my time.
• Friends: God has blessed me this semester by surrounding me with some incredible people. Pray that I would be a positive example to them.
• Growth: This is a huge season of growth. I feel a dramatic transformation in my life as I “grow up”. Pray that I would continue to have a teachable heart and that God would keep placing people around me whose godliness can “rub off” on me.
• Scotland: Pray for my friends, family, and supporters in Scotland. That God would reveal Himself to those who don’t know Him, and that He would draw those who do into a deeper communion with Him.

February 28th 2008

• Praise: Daily I become more convinced that I can do nothing without the work of the Spirit in my life. Praise God that He came, dwelt on the Earth, died and rose again, so that we could be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit!
• Preaching: I will be preaching to the Young Adult community at Grace for the first time on March 6^th. I am excited about the chance to share my heart with this group of people. Pray that I would be attentive to God’s plan for the message, and that His Spirit would speak through me. Pray for energy as I’m preaching 10 of the next 17 weeks! This is my biggest challenge yet as a young preacher.
• Time: I have a lot on my plate this semester (which is the way I enjoy it!) and so please pray that I would use my time wisely, accomplishing everything that God would have me accomplish.
• Influence: I am amazed at the people God is pulling around me and the chance I have to make a positive impact in their lives. Ask God to fill me with a full measure of His Spirit that they would see my love for God shining, and that I would be used to spur them on in their faith
• Finances: Continue to pray for God’s provision. Although things are not terrible, money is tighter this semester than it has been so far. I do not want to have more than I need and so I ask that you would pray that I would have what I need when I need it. Thank God for the joy of being dependent on Him. Praise Him for the people who are supporting me, asking His blessing on them for their generosity.
• the Persecuted Church: Pray for the church around the world, especially the believers who face persecution for what they believe. Ask God to empower them in their moment of need, to fill them with hope with the situation seems hopeless, and to reward them for their obedience to His calling.
• My Faith: God is doing some great things in my heart. I am constantly aware that even though I am seeing and experiencing all these amazing things, this is only the starting phase of my ministry! Pray that God would continue to grow me, increasing my love for Him, deepening my faith and wisdom, and teaching me obedience no matter the cost.

January 27th 2008

• Glory: God is good! He deserves our praise. Give glory to God for the amazing things He does. I am so thankful for the wonderful ways He works in my life.
• My Roommate: I moved into my friend Rob’s apartment this semester. I love living with him! It’s further away from the school and so a little more inconvenient when it comes to getting around but I enjoy the peace I get here. Pray that God would bless him for his generosity in letting me live here so cheaply. Pray that I would be a blessing to him.
• Church/Internship: It looks like I will be calling Grace Chapel Community Church my spiritual home for this next season of my life. I am thoroughly excited about the opportunities to serve here. Pray God’s blessing upon the church and that I would settle into my role there quickly. I desire to be a positive example of someone who is in love with God and obedient to His Word. (check out www.gracechapelonline.org)
• Provision: The Lord Provides. That is something I have become more and more convinced of. I am still not fully funded this semester but am in no doubt that God will provide. Pray for all who have given something of their time or resources to support what I am doing, that they would know how much I appreciate it, and that God would bless them for it.
• Classes: I never thought I could enjoy school so much. It is such a privilege to get to learn the things I am learning. Ask God to guide me as I learn – that I would focus my time on the things that are important to Him and not the things that I feel are most important.
• Relationships: I love the friends I have here. It has been very special to know that so many people missed me. Pray that God would bless our friendships and use us to sharpen one another.
• Transport: It is not so easy to get around this semester and so I am trying to figure out the best way to deal with transport. A couple of people have been letting me borrow their cars, but I may need to see about getting a car of my own for the next few semesters, especially as my schedule fills out. Thank God for those who have been letting me borrow their cars, and pray for wisdom as I work out what to do about the transport situation.

December 21st, 2007

• Revelation: Christmas is an amazing time of year when we reflect on God’s work here on Earth. Ask God to open people’s eyes to see the truth of this time of year, and to create opportunities for people to share the gospel.
• Classes: I have a lot to sort out when I get back to Portland to do with my academic plan for the next 3 semesters. I have a meeting with the Seminary President when I get back to try and rearrange my course in light of the Jerusalem semester. I will walk away from Multnomah with a customized degree. Pray for wisdom for Dr. Brake and I as we discuss the options.
• Accommodation: A wonderful friend of mine asked me to live with him this semester when I am in Portland. I’m looking forward to getting to know him better and to learning from him as we live together. Pray God’s blessings upon him and the house we live in for his generosity.
• Funds: I am still at least £1000 short for this semester. Continue to ask for God’s provision for my journey. Pray that God will lead people to give me donations or organise fundraising events on my behalf. Pray too that he will lead me to people who can assist me. I know God will provide so continue to thank him for that provision.
• Church: When I get back to Portland I will be looking for a church to attend. We so often have the wrong criteria when trying to pick a church, so pray that I will be led to the place God wants me. Pray for the people in this church that I will meet, influence and be influenced by. Pray too for my church in Scotland (“Regarding Hope”) that God would continue to use them for His Kingdom.
• Internship: I have to do an internship this semester as part of my course. This will require finding a ministry I can serve in. This could end up being the church I attend, or the place I end up working. I am praying that God will lead me to a place that will equip me for what I will be doing in the future.
• Work: I will need to get a job on campus to make up the remaining money needed for this semester. It will be a tough and tiring semester if I have to work on top of everything else. Pray that I would find a suitable job to fit in with my schedule.
• Friends: I am excited to get back to Portland to see the friends I have not seen in a while. Pray for the time that I spend with them, that God’s hand would continue to rest upon us.

November 22nd, 2007

• JUC: This institution is doing amazing work here in Israel instructing hundreds of people each year about the Biblical Land. Pray that God would continue to protect and to Provide for this place.
• Students: Its transition time for a number of the students here at JUC. Pray that the Holy Spirit would pour over them, keeping them grounded in His Word and drawing them to Him in prayer as they seek His will for what is next.
• My Luggage: Praise God for His faithfulness in seeing that my luggage got to me eventually. I learned a lot through this experience and so rejoice that God has a plan, and that He is in control.
• Dubai: I leave Israel and fly to Dubai to spend time with my family that lives there. I have realised over the last year that after big changes like this semester I need time to rest and reflect, and so I will spend time with my family and also time processing the events of this semester. Pray that I would be a good witness to my family and that I would return to Scotland refreshed.
• Fundraising: I seriously have to think about fundraising. I have just less than a third of what I need for this next semester. Ask God to give me wisdom in how to tackle my findraising, and that He would lead people to me who can help me practically and financially.
• Multnomah: I have many things to get organised when I get back to Portland all of which need prayer. This semester alters the structure of my degree and so I need to work out my academic plan with the dean of the seminary; I may have to take some classes at Western Seminary; I have to find a ministry to intern with this semester; I have to find a church to serve in; Depending on fundraising, I may need to try and find a job this semester; Do I live on or off campus?
• THANKSGIVING: Praise God for He is good and His love endures forever.

October 13th, 2007

• School: I’m so privileged to be here. Be praying for JUC and the staff that work here. To work at JUC you have to be an all-rounder. The director runs the site, teaches, counsels, and even does a fair amount of the handiwork… it’s like that for all the staff. Pray that God would pour into them.
• Protection: There are some awkward politics with a school next to us who are there illegally. 2 weeks ago they set fire to the underbrush in the lower courtyard at the bottom of the school. Also, on the road outside the school a couple of people walking alone at night have been followed, or robbed! Please pray that people would be sensible, and that God’s protection would rest on us all.
• Devotions: My time with God has been much better this month. Give thanks to God for that, and continue to pray for a deeper longing for His presence. I am back working on memorizing Romans and have spent the last month revising the first 11 chapters. Pray that this would bear much fruit. Pray that I would continue to get fresh revelation of His glory.
• Burn-Outs: A few people on campus are getting worn down. It’s at the point in the semester where the deadlines are approaching, workload is heavier and people are getting a little homesick. Pray that their eyes would stay fixed on God, and that the right words of encouragement will be given at the appropriate time.
• Undergrads: I’m enjoying working with the undergrads, and am in the process of taking each of the guys out for coffee a chat. It has been great hearing what God has been doing in their lives. Pray that God would teach me through them, and that He would use me to challenge them to a deeper passion for Him, His Word and Prayer.
• Luggage: God is in control, but that doesn’t stop it being frustrating. I am extremely disappointed by the airline, but thankful for the wonderful lessons God has taught and is teaching me through this process. Please pray for our trip to Tel Aviv this week that we could get some closure on this whole process.
• Questions: I have a huge number of questions whizzing around my head, but am totally at peace knowing that the answers will be revealed at the right times. Whether it’s questions about direction, where to live when I get back to Portland, ministry opportunities, finances, relationships or how and when to go and visit my dad in Dubai… please pray that I would be listening for God’s voice and have the courage to go and to do whatever He calls me to.

September 11th, 2007

• The Lord Provides: God has made it clear that He will provide and He has. Praise God for His provision in your own life and in mine. Ask Him to pour his blessings over those who are supporting me. Be praying for the remainder of my fundraising for this year, that God would be leading people to support me in the ways needed.
• JUC: Pray for my time in Israel, that my eyes would be open to see God in new ways as I experience His Word in it’s setting. Pray for the people I am meeting, that I would be a positive example to them of someone who is in love with God. I am stepping into a very particular role on campus where I have a lot of people coming to me for advice, ask God to give me wisdom as I liaise between the students and the faculty.
• Devotions: Jerusalem in spiritually oppressed. A quick flick through Scripture reveals the constant struggle people face in this land. I am experiencing it as well as witnessing it in the people around me. Pray that I am filled with His Spirit and that I constantly push through the oppression to enjoy fruitful times with God.
• Friends & Family: Keep my friends and family in your prayers. Especially at the moment as they have Justin living there while he interns with my church. Pray that God will use this time to grow Justin, and that He will use him to encourage and minister to my family. I am hoping to get to Dubai to see my dad in December just before I head home. Pray that doors would open to make that possible if indeed it is God’s will.
• Monica: Monica and I have been growing closer over the last year and just before we left for Israel decided to start courting. Please pray that God’s hand would be upon our relationship, that we would be a good example of a godly relationship, that He would protect our hearts, and that we would constantly point one another to Christ.
• Routine: I am trying to get into the routine of school here. It is slightly different in the fact that the staff stress very highly the importance of exploring the land. Pray that I develop a good balance between spending time with God, studying, and then getting out around Israel. I am here to glorify God and that will happen most when I am using my time effectively.

July 25th, 2007

• Give thanks to God for the work I have witnessed Him doing in my life over this last year. May He continue to grow me into the man of God He designed me to be.
• I have 5 weeks left until I head off to Jerusalem and my funds are a long way off their target! I can’t go without God’s provision. Pray for His blessing on all of my fundraising attempts. May I seek to do nothing on my own strength but alwasy depend on Him.
• Some of my friends are coming from the States to visit in the next month. Pray for them as they get ready to come, that it would be a nice relaxing break, and that God would move in them
• Justin is talking about spending this next semester in Scotland living with my family, and working with my church. It would be a great opportunity for Him to grow. Pray for God’s guidance as he works out the next step for Him.
• I am working with a NieuCommunities RoadTrip. I have really enjoyed spending time with them and getting to see God work in their lives. They are all at mojor points of transition in their lives, and so pray that God would give them clarity and courage over the course of the trip.

July 7th, 2007

• My supporters. Thank God for all the people who are supporting me financially, practically, and prayerfully. May God bless them for their faithfulness to my ministry.
• Thank God for a successful first year. It has been exciting getting to know my new world, and to enjoy what I am studying. Pray for God’s blessings and protection as I head out to Israel.
• Pray for my fundraising over the summer. Ask for God’s hand to be upon the letters I write, the people I speak to, and the events I organise. I am fully confident that God will provide more people to support me. Pray that these people will step forward. May His name be shown to be great once again!
• Pray for the time I have working with Re:Hope for the summer. Our work is worthless without the work of the Holy Spirit. May He be powerfully present in all we do.
• I should be having a number of visitors from the States at various points towards the end of the summer. Remember them in your prayers.
• Pray for the time I will have in Jerusalem, the places I will see, people I will meet, and the way God will move in my heart. May this experience teach me lessons that I’ll need for the rest of my life.