Prayer for Colchester – What’s it All About?

Over the past few weeks God has been moving through the united prayer of Christians praying for Colchester.

Inspired by a sense that in Colchester there is ground to be held, and a need for Christians to pray in unity, since 18th May the Colchester CAP Debt Centre team have been inviting people to join together in prayer for our town every Monday.

The feedback has been overwhelming and is recorded below. The overall theme is one of God filling Colchester with His spirit and reaching out to bring His love to those who do not yet know it. There will be a movement of the spirit towards evangelism when lockdown is over. Christians need to be ready.

If you would like to join us, there are no online meetings, you just need to spend some time every Monday praying for our town. If you hear anything you wish to share, please drop us an email on [email protected] or post in the facebook event on our page. You can also use the hashtag #prayforcolchester. Remember God loves it when his people join together as one, regardless of denomination or tradition.

Week 1

The word crossover – a parallel with the crossing of the Jordan and passover. the spirit of God is preparing to move in a mighty way after the lockdown and we need to be ready – we need to sharpen our tools, keep a prayerful mind and heart for what lies ahead.
We are expecting a movement of the spirit for the harvesting of souls. We need to position ourselves for this.
Grieving – everyone has lost something or someone important to them. Covid 19 will bring out the spiritual needs in people and we are in a position to reach people.
Unity – as churches together we are spearheading something across our town. Psalm 133 the ‘precious ointment’ of unity.
A vision of Colchester as a hill with the sun beaming down on it, those who are on the hill are blessed and standing in God’s light. We need to share that light with others and spread it.

Psalm 126 KJV – He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Matthew 5:14-16 MSG – Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Week 2

The canopy over the town like a thick white billowing sheet being shaken over the town. This was linked to expansion. ‘Isaiah 54:2 – Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.’
Colchester as being like a lighthouse on a hill. Yes shining light out into the darkness but also to warn of danger / peril and to expose what may be hidden in darkness.
Deep Grief – feelings of grief, sadness and loss affecting many many people at this time. People have lost loved ones, relationships, community, income and livelihoods, have missed funerals, have missed happy occasions. Need to pray for those
Being drawn to think about the history of unified prayer in the town, from the Salvation Army marching down Colchester High Street in the 1880s to pray for what they called ‘darkest England’, to unified prayer for the town in the 1980s and 90s. Let us keep this going. Jumbo and the colour green of the roof as significant.
Praying Isaiah 60 over the town.
Psalm 139 was also shared

Week 3

An image of a child flying a kite, the kite being gently lifted in the wind. The Lord is asking us to enjoy being in his presence.
Colchester pictured as a wood with trees. The wind is blowing over the treas and the leaves are shuddering. The Holy spirit hovering and brooding
Image of a smooth hill with grass. There are flowers growing round the bottom of hill and in front of them people are climbing up the hill towards God but as they go up the hill keeps getting higher and they can’t reach the top. The interpretation is that the top of the hill is God and the people are the people searching or looking towards God anew. The flowers are the Christians gently encouraging the people up the hill. The message is that we have to always be gentle but also to do a bit more to encourage people towards God.
Someone physically saw a bright and cross-shaped star over Colchester.

Week 4

A reminder that we are connected to the vine – the need to stay connected in with God and be at peace in our relationship with Him. God is adjusting our posture to stay humble before Him. We must always remember that he is our only source – without the vine we are nothing, and we have to abide in him to receive life. He is our hope and he brings revelation to bless us.
But this blessing is not for us to just keep for ourselves but to share with the town. God is confirming blessing, authority and leadership on Christians in order to bless the town through the work of the church. Proverbs 11: 10-14
Call to unity – Christians to look beyond divisions of denomination to move as one. 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Timothy 2:4, Romans 12:5
prayer for those who are sick or recovering from coronavirus – take authority over every cell in their body in Jesus’ name, to bring healing and full restoration.

Week 5

Prayer for healing and restoration to anyone made ill by this virus. Pray for both individuals, and for business and groups that are restarting, that they are put back together differently, to be more how God wants them to be.
An image of the holy spirit reaching out to all parts of Colchester, going down every road and side road, reaching everyone.
Colchester as a harvest with many people reaching out to God, prayer for every heart to be captured. Christians to take part in the harvest. Everyone has different jobs and it is up to us to ask God what he wants them to do. We need to have open eyes, be aware and sensitive.