As some of you will be aware, our Vicar, Rev Amanda Barraclough, is currently in Tanzania taking part in two Rooted in Jesus Conferences in Morogoro, Tanzania, where Wakefield’s link Diocese of Mara is, as well as St Mary’s link parish of Ikizu is situated.
Updates since Amanda’s trip started have just come through so below is a digest of updates so far via the group praying for them in the UK. I will post further updates as they arrive:
Monday 24th September
I have this morning received a message from the team in Morogoro:
“positive team meeting; raring to go; good sense of God’s promises & opportunities for conferences. Particular request for protection – armoured up; for unity & effective working as team; prayer too for those travelling to Morogoro today”. God bless you in your praying. Jonathan
Please pray, as they ask, for the Lord’s protection over them and for each one to put on and have confidence in the armour of God – Ephesians 6. We ourselves also need to put on the armour, so that we and they are all free from attacks of the evil one. Ask Him, too, that team members may each be bound in trust and love to Christ and to each other.
Please ask the Lord for safe passage for all who are travelling to Morogoro today, for the Rooted in Jesus conference starting tomorrow. Pray that God will bring safely in all of His children that He has called to be there.
Yesterday they sent us a scripture, which seems to help inform our praying:
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thess. 5: 12-13.
Tuesday 25th September
An encouraging message came from Jonathan this evening:
26 delegates arrived safely today. We have been received well. We hear good stories with honesty of the impact of RinJ over the past year. Difficulties and challenges shared openly. Clear signs of people engaging with the Holy Spirit during the ministry time. Prayer please esp for those more aware of the challenges and disappointments than the joys of their groups over the year – but they have come to the Conference! Team tired but working well together”.
Jonathan x
I have a sense from this of strong engagement with what is going on at the conference, i.e. that ‘battle is joined’. This leads me to think that we should be praying spiritual protection and the Lord’s armour over everyone there. I’m reminded of Jonathan’s request yesterday: “Particular request for protection – armoured up …”
The belt of Truth; the breastplate of Righteousness; the shoes of Peace; the helmet of Salvation; the shield of Faith; the Sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6: 10-20.) Our God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He has the victory. Praise Him!
An intercessor sent a word: ‘His banner over them is love’.
Friday 28th September
Another positive message from the Morogoro team yesterday evening:
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!