Dear friends,
As we start a new week, will you join us in prayer for those affected by drought and bush fire? Fires continue to burn across the State and in particularly on the mid-North coast. And the drought persists right across much of New South Wales. Some people are affected by both. Please uphold them in your prayers this week, and please ask our great God in His mercy to send plentiful rain and give Him thanks for the mercy shown over the past week in so many situations in the bush fire areas.
Kempsey
Bryan says, “While the immediate threat to property for those in our church community is now over, and lives are returning back to somewhat normal, we are on alert for maybe more to come. The fire itself is still very large and out of control but has tracked northward (rather than eastward to more densely populated areas).” Please pray for God’s people in Kempsey as they seek ways to support those in their community, particularly in the area about 30 minutes west of Kempsey around Willawarrin, that they would be able to show God’s love.
Guyra, Glen Innes, Tenterfield
Andrew says, “There was lots of concern last Sunday about Tuesday, as you know, but it turned out not to be as bad as was forecasted. ‘Our’ fires to the west, east, and north have more or less settled down. It is still the case that strong winds could make any number of fires get out of ‘control lines.’ However, we are thanking God that things aren’t as bad right now as they could be. Probably the biggest need is for rain to put the fires out (and the drought!) and for relief from the exhaustion of both fighting drought (feeding sheep and cattle; ensuring water) and fighting fires (most of ‘my’ farmers are in the RFS).”
Port Macquarie
It has been very smokey in Port Macquarie with the air quality at dangerous levels especially for people with respiratory problems. Please pray for the smoke to ease. Please also pray for the mission that is running through Port Macquarie Presbyterian Church at present. They are a team from Griffith University campus. They are on a trimester system which doesn’t allow them to be on NTE mission, so they are fitting it in at this time. They’re a wonderful group, and it’s so good to see them ministering outside of their comfort zones. Please pray for them.
Coonabarabran
Coonabarabran is one of the drought affected areas we have been praying for. Kristian says, “We did get some good rain on the 3rd November – around the 30mm mark give or take 5mm – and it’s amazing to see the impact that even that amount of rain has had. It’s lifted spirits, pastures a nice shade of green (for now) but the drought is far from over. It’s was doubly amazing because the rain began to fall just as we finished a “Pray For Rain” BBQ!!
Some prayer points specific to our church and community.
1. Give thanks for the pray for rain BBQ we held on Sunday the 3rd November. Over 100 people came and the impact of those who witnessed to their hope in Jesus during such times has been amazing. It sparked a number of conversations for people so please pray for the continuing impact of that witness that people may come to know ultimate hope in Jesus.
2. Pray for the farmers in our church as they continue struggle but give thanks for the way in which they have grown in their faith and the witness that they are to their neighbours.
3. Give thanks for the way our community pulls together through such times and pray for our church as we seek to support certain families in the community that have suffered terribly from flow on effects due to the drought.”
Thank you for praying with us – those you are praying for often say that they are comforted and encouraged by knowing that you do.
Kind regards,
Liz McClean
CEO, Jericho Road