Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you.
Joshua 1:3

Over the last week I feel like I am hearing a whisper from God……‘you are on the front foot!’ Often as followers of Jesus when we look at the injustice and moral decay of the world around us we can easily be overwhelmed and discouraged.  When we lift the newspapers we read articles of how many of the established churches around the UK and Ireland are declining rapidly and increasingly losing touch with the rest of our culture. It is widely acknowledged we now live in an era of Post-Christendom.  While many of these assertions are accurate in their assessment unfortunately it can breed in our minds an image of the church cowering away in a corner, backing its way into submission and defeat.  The church may need to ask itself some hard questions in the 21st century we live in but let us not allow ourselves to be bullied by the insidious lie of the devil that says the church is on its way out!

In my journey of prayer and in particular as I have joined with many who have cried out to God for Ireland over the last few years, I sense faith rise in my heart as I here this whisper ‘you are on the front foot.’ This faith is further bolstered by the words of Jesus I read in Matt 16:18. ‘I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.’ The truth is despite what it may seem, we the church, are on the OFFENSIVE. Our posture should be one of leaning forward not shy and fearful. Hell cannot stand against us when we go forward in the name and victory of Jesus.  Don’t be mistaken, this is not simply positive thinking nor is it a self-indulgent name-it-and-claim-it theology. This is genuine faith in the work of Jesus and who we now are in Him – trusted rulers carrying His kingdom authority wherever we go.  Despite what it may seem the kingdom is advancing; more people are becoming Christians today all over the world than ever before; in Ireland we know of almost 70 different churches across the nation who have prayed for the land this year to date; all around us if we look in the right places the kingdom is breaking in.  The kingdom is advancing; we are on the offensive; His praise is our battle cry; every place the sole of our feet treads He is giving to us….

WE ARE ON THE FRONT FOOT! Let’s go!

Kingdom come.

Alain Emerson

The first idea of a “prayer space” in Carnmoney Church arose when members of the Church found themselves captivated and inspired by the book ‘Red Moon Rising’. As something moved deep in the hearts of the readers and others who felt drawn to this ministry an exciting new prayer journey began in the Church.

In Spring 2008, during Lent, Carnmoney opened their first prayer room in the Church. In the centre of the room a large wooden cross and a crown of thorns quickly drew your attention and turned your focus to prayer and thanksgiving. Whether you preferred to sit and ‘be still’, read, listen to music, worship, share scripture or visions, spend time in repentance, was irrelevant. Whatever God had put on our hearts, was laid bare before our King. Our prayer room was available in 1 hour slots for 24 hours Saturday to Sunday and all through Holy Week. This space became a sanctuary for all who used it.

In Autumn of the same year Carnmoney began to search for permanent premises to base our prayer room. In early 2009 the use of a detached house in Glengormley was offered to our church. The property was number 156 and as this reminded us of Isaiah 56v7 a decision was made to call this house of prayer “i56″

“…my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”

In i56 we continued with our weekend 24/7 prayer and hosted different prayer initiatives throughout the year. Our prayer house quickly became a special place for many in the congregation.

2012 saw the house get a bit of a face lift; in a way this helped to renew our commitment to seeking God’s direction in our lives by offering ourselves up in prayer and obedience. In adopting 24/7′s “Kingdom Come” theme for the year, we believe God longs to do things in our land and wants to bring his glory and restoration to our nation.  The vision and focus for our year; more prayer; more unity; more mission.

After holding an open week shortly after the refurb we launched ’9 Weeks of prayer’ in which we had up to 53 individuals praying in i56 for each of the 9 weeks. In the coming weeks we will be starting a second ’9 Weeks of Prayer’ where we again expect many of our congregation to join us in making space for God in our busy lives.

We believe that as followers of Jesus if we are unable to set aside time to spend in his presence, seek his face and listen for his voice, we are in danger of becoming fruitless.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

If we are to remain in Him we must continually seek his Spirit and will for our lives. We are excited about what God is doing in Carnmoney and in i56. We can’t wait to see what lies ahead and where our journey as individuals and as a community takes us.

After all, this is OUR TIME! OUR PLACE!

Kingdom come