At the church meeting back in July, we mentioned the challenge and call from the General Secretary of the Baptist Union, Lynn Green for churches to become Beacons of Prayer. So far, CBC Beacons of Prayer events have taken place in a variety of ways including: in existing small groups, by gathering two or three people in their homes, at work places and on prayer walks. Perhaps your Beacon of Prayer event might continue with some of the themes and subjects others have already been guided towards. In answer to the question ‘Where did your prayers take you?’, some of the answers have included: • We prayed looking out from Halnaker Hill •  How on fire are our own hearts?  – how visible is Jesus’ light through us?  how can he help ignite others? •  Praying from the top of a cloud filled Trundle. As we arrived the cloud came in and we could see next to nothing. …. Suddenly the mist seemed to clear and we could see the beautiful autumn trees …. The mist then came in again but as we walked back down for a couple of minutes it cleared again and we could see over Chichester to the sea! It reminded us that if we follow God's path, persist and occasionally look up, things will be revealed. The strongish (at times) wind clearing the mist reminded us that the Holy Spirit can free us from what obscures our view. We thanked God for many things, including his Creation. The "beacons" atop the Trundle are now phone masts. We pondered on how we use new technologies/ new ways to get God's eternal message out to those who still cannot see. •  How ablaze are we for Christ ? – Fire spreads from small sparks •  We felt God was speaking about breaking down barriers from two passages which both contain this message Isaiah 45:2-3, Psalm 107:15- 16 •  We felt led to be praying for willingness to be prepared to do what God wants us to do and discernment to understand what He is doing and where we could be used in His scheme. •  Despite all the problems in the world,  the Lord is with us. •  It was a very special time. We each felt God’s presence in a very real way and then He guided us so wonderfully as we prayed.’ •  We prayed walking around the church building •  We prayed for God to raise up Christians to equip them to bring Jesus to those who are drawing to the end of their lives. •  Prayers for God’s work in the new housing developments in Chichester •  That the gospel would not be overlooked during humanitarian efforts •  Break our hearts again … don’t let me live a faith by numbers •  We all have a part to play in God’s plan •  Lord you are in the driving seat – you know the route – help us to give you the controls •  We felt God spoke to us about our need to be usable •  Passing on the baton to the next generation •  God brings victory in unpredictable – amazing ways •  Be still and know that I am God. We need to believe in the power of God’s Spirit to change things even if they seem impossible. •  Acts 1:8 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be My witnesses •  Prayer for the Syrian/Iraq refugee crises and our part in being good news • We prayed for Christians in businesses and places of work. • We prayed for Christian marriages and families. • We found ourselves asking God if the work Christians can do to help the growing numbers of refugees in Europe and elsewhere is one of the ‘New things’ he is doing. • We found ourselves praying around this question ‘what is different/distinctive about Chichester?  Praying that God would use the unity and respect the churches have in the city to do a ‘new thing’ • We spent time meditating on Psalm 91 • Dependence on God’s work not ours - Humility • We prayed for revival for ourselves and for our nation • Eyes to see what new thing He wants to do • Burden for prayer and hearts of compassion • ‘We want to see Jesus lifted high’ • We read and reflected on how carefully Nehemiah planned for a ‘goal’ • We used the A.C.T.S format to pray ‘Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication’.  We felt moved to pray for each other and the church. • Protection for our young people from current pressures • For the church to have ‘a voice’ and to stand up and speak • Trusting God’s goodness even when prayers don’t seem to have been answered

‘forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland’. Isaiah 43:18-19