Planting, growing and maintaining fruitful avocados in Scotland – a vision of what The Concert of Prayer is called to do in Scotland.

Planting, growing and maintaining fruitful avocados in Scotland – a vision of what The Concert of Prayer is called to do in Scotland through training leaders and churches to pray together, host prayer meetings, enjoy prayer and demonstrating how to create a culture of joyful and vibrant prayer in any local church for the purpose of revitalising churches and getting Scotland revival ready.

Background

After five years of the ministry ‘Concert of Prayer for Scotland’, which was birthed in January 2020, it has come time to refresh the vision and clarify the calling God has placed on the ministry and what lane He has this ministry (which is His idea, and therefore His ministry ultimately) running in across Scotland. Scotland has historically experienced more revivals than most nations have, almost always birthed when the church started to pray earnestly and in a sustained manner to ‘The Lord of the Harvest’ for more labourers, which He sent in vast numbers and which the church in Scotland sent across the world over previous centuries. The church in Scotland today is a very different place, with many churches prayerless and lifeless. But God is never done with his people. This vision is described using imagery of planting an avocado plant in Scotland – something that is not possible, but something we believe as a ministry God will do in our time. Below is a summary of what part we believe God wants the Concert of Prayer for Scotland to play in Scotland over the coming years.

Planting:

There are no instant/microwave results – the effects of prayer in any church can take time to develop and mature and be ingrained in the culture of a church. Avocado trees produce dense shade and can ‘take over’ an entire garden. So, a culture of prayer affects the whole church.

Growing:

There needs to be a good warm, welcoming and expectant atmosphere for prayer to progress in a local church. It can take time to admit this and even longer to agree to change and for a church to embrace biblical principles and learn to pray together – the prayer meeting will become the furnace, the engine room of every local church, setting fire to all other areas of church life.

Maintaining:

It is not about the length of our prayer times, but the quality of the times with God, Is the Bible prayed, are people united in their local church in prayer or are individuals doing horizontal prayers or praying out of tune (focussed always on the nations when the local situation is burning) or a few ‘experts’ who pray long prayers round the world killing it for others? Sharing prayer stories and encouraging churches to help other churches nearby is a way of stirring excitement in prayer.

Noting that each church is different and will need a different focus because each church is different in culture, gifting, maturity etc. We do not have a one size fits all approach. We must come alongside churches and understand the unique needs, position, progress and expectancy for corporate prayer and their longing for all Scotland to be saved.

Fruitful:

Each church will take many years to embed and see joyful prayer replace dutiful prayer and growing across all areas of church life. This can’t be rushed but must be waited on, observed and nurtured – stewarding is the best word.

There is no shortcut, even the nail in the trunk (stopping badly run prayer meetings, boring meetings, mechanical, dry meetings – to restart a healthy culture of prayer – but this advice is not listened to often, it seems like it is killing the prayer culture, but it brings new life).

Avocados:

The entire church will enjoy the fruit of this change to the culture as the flames of the prayer furnace go upwards from the foundations – a church revitalised, activated and on the move. This fruitfulness becomes self-sustaining as God himself provides the growth. No fancy methods, programs are needed – just God himself.

Scotland:

This will work with any size of church but catches on and embeds where the leadership of the church really wants to see their church praying and all that results from a church at prayer.

We are looking to see native, fruiting, re-producing trees (praying churches) across Scotland.

We are looking to do the impossible and see vibrant and joyful prayer become widespread like a plant native across Scotland – like in previous seasons when during revivals God turned up.

This is a very long-term vision, that will affect Scotland for hundreds of years. We will not look back with nostalgia at former revivals but will look to the future where sustained growth and church revitalisation is constantly, ever increasing through the zeal of the Lord.

Full Vision Statement

Paul's first steps as a believer. Acts 22:17-21

“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Paul's conversion and call. Acts 22:6-11

“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus."

Make haste..

“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Prayer in the end times.

What church leaders are saying about corporate prayer in their churches.

Some of the key themes from pastors who participated in the recent survey on corporate prayer in local churches are condensed below. The questions asked in the context of each church leader’s local setting/church were:

1. What you see as the key fruit you have felt, known and seen that has resulted in significant growth / new depth/ vibrancy in your local church's times of prayer?

2. The main disappointments about prayer in your local church or deepest longing for your local church's times of prayer?

And this is what pastors are seeing happening when their church prays together and areas they would like to grow in regarding corporate prayer.

Fruitfulness and progress:

• Growth in prophetic gifting and direction, increased sense of faith for God to move in and through the church as we seek his face.

• More times and opportunities for prayer being embraced by the whole church, see people get excited about prayer.

• Praying through big projects and initiatives together as a local church has grown prayer muscles very practically - praying as we do, praying for what we are actually doing, then doing what we have prayed over.

• Those who do attend corporate prayer gatherings grow in depth of relationships and unity and love, the praying church is the glue for the whole church. Depth of vulnerability in prayer is beautiful. Churches praying together staying together.

• Corporate prayer has only moved when key leaders have committed and led it. When this happens the church rallies together.

• Growth in prayer followed from a departure from formal dry prayer and towards a more warm and authentic expression of prayer for everyone.

• Growth in revelation and hope for life kindled in corporate prayer as a church family, even exceeding private times of prayer.

  Disappointments and areas where growth is needed:

• Lack of prayer in the leader's personal lives. Case for many.

• Lack of prayer as part of elders meetings - more business focussed.

• Prayer slowly dying and a lack of commitment from leaders or the congregation to restart. Often through disappointment in numbers or just pure boredom.

• Longing to see the whole church praying together when we gather instead of faithful few.

• Low priority of prayer not only with leaders but as a result of the leaders the congregation too.

• Longing to see more than just seasons of prayer or meetings for prayer, but an ongoing hunger, joy and culture of prayer that is a furnace of the local church and does not stop after the emphasis is removed.

• Not seeing the whole church growing in the gifts of the Spirit, but prayers remain shallow, faithless, formal and dry and so attendance falls.

Paul Goes to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:1-6

And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

The Conversion of Lydia

Acts 16:11-15

So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

The Macedonian Call.

Acts 16:6-10

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

Paul Stoned at Lystra

Acts 14:19-23

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

Paul and Barnabas rejected in Pisidia.

Acts 13:42-52

As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off. Acts 13:1-3

Acts 13:1-3

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:1-3

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

Peter Is Rescued (Part 1)

Acts 12:6-11

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

The Church in Antioch

The Church in Antioch (Part 2). Acts 11:22-26

The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Or listen to the podcast on: Apple, Spotify or your favourite location by searching for ‘Acts of the Apostles, concert of Prayer for Scotland.’

Seven chosen to serve.

Seven chosen to serve. Acts 6:1-7

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

What is Easter all about?

Why is it the most important point in the Christian calendar, even in all of history?

Easter is celebrated around the same time each year – early spring – and it coincides with an ancient Jewish festival, The Passover.

This was instituted, when the enslaved Jewish nation was about to be freed from over 400 years of slavery under the Egyptians and their King or Pharoah. It was a simple meal, prepared considering the imminent escape and need to travel light. The meal itself included a lamb and this was to be eaten in families or if it was too large, several families. As the lamb was killed some of its blood was to be placed on the door posts of each house.

Why was this necessary?

Well, God had promised to free Israel, but Pharoah did not recognise ‘God’ – who is this God he announced. So, God warned Pharoah nine times through awe inspiring plagues to ‘let his people go’, these included water being turned into blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock deaths, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the final plague was that every first born (animal or human) would die unless they had blood on their doorposts. So, the blood was protection against the final and most deadly plague. Many trusted the warning and put blood on their door posts, but many did not – including Pharoah, whose first born son was killed and as a result – he finally agreed to free the millions of slaves. You may recall some of this from the animated movie ‘Prince of Egypt’ or from reading the Book of Exodus in the Bible.

Well, that whole episode was just a picture, or a mere sign to demonstrate what the real Passover would look like. This time there would be an even greater deliverance, from an even greater and more long-lasting danger. Jesus was the ‘Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world’ just like the lambs that were slaughtered in Egypt. In the same way his blood was shed, so that many might be saved from their sin (everything bad and evil that we do, mostly to each other, but underneath it all it is against God himself) and receive not just a temporary freedom from human slavery – but an eternal freedom from the power and stain of sin.

What was the big problem in any case?

There was no other way that God could simultaneously uphold his righteous nature (To punish sin – which each of us have, no matter how good, religious, or otherwise have done) and yet at the same time forgive people who turned away from their sin and be merciful. We can understand this by the fact, that no matter how ‘sorry’ a murderer is – we still feel the correct outcome is that they are punished with a lengthy prison sentence. We can’t just ‘let people off the hook and pretend nothing happened’. Similar with God – we stand in horror at evil, and so we should, but God hates evil more than we ever could. Yet, because of his great love for us, he made a daring rescue plan, one that would cost Him everything; His one and only Son. For us, who receive this gift – it is however free.

So, we see how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane ahead of his crucifixion; there, was no other way for salvation – except through the horrific death of a perfect sacrifice on the awful method of punishment of the time: a Roman cross.

Jesus went to the cross willingly, and as He died, he uttered the most powerful statement in all history “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34]. Indicating the reason, why He was there – was for you and I, and even those people who brutally killed and mocked him. Here Jesus asks that we be forgiven and are not ‘guilty as charged’ despite all the evidence against us to the contrary, as He died in our place – known as the great exchange: Jesus died the death we deserved for the sin we committed, to give us eternal life that we could never earn and the eternal forgiveness of our sin.

So, Jesus was killed and died, and was buried. But whilst Jesus was alive, he had spoken of coming back to life – and no one really had a category for that or even believed him. Who would? It is not a realistic or natural thing to say, or even believe. This included his disciples who all abandoned him and had the most reason to be sceptical about these outrageous claims than anyone.

On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, and evidenced that everything was as He had said it was. The resurrection is proof that we can be and are forgiven and that sin can be dealt with by His shed blood on the Cross.

Happy Easter, as we celebrate the wonderful life, death, and resurrection of Jesus!!

Holy Spirit Series..

A highly recommended course exploring the person, work and ministry of the Holy Spirit:

New Ground Churches | Media | Series

Report on the Pioneer Europe Conference

“I attended the Pioneer Europe conference as the team leader of the Concert of Prayer for Scotland, an organisation which seeks to stimulate corporate prayer and hence revitalise local churches across Scotland and more widely in Europe.

“Some of the personal insights that stuck out for me included:

1. The remarkable tension between clinging to what we have (building) and alternatively investing into other people or situations (sowing). Building is very rewarding, and you can easily see the progress made, whilst sowing feels like you are losing something or even throwing it away, requiring faith to tell the difference.

2. When starting a new work of God, and we encounter the great need around us, along with even well-intentioned individuals who can reason or ‘manipulate’ us with apparent ‘needs’; it is vital to stay in our lane joyfully, guilt free, knowing we are called to it by God and must remain in faith for what we are called to, sometimes only having a promise from God.

3. It was refreshing to consider afresh what Godly leadership looks like and how humble servant leaders are so different to the model of leadership offered constantly by the world and yet, ironically, so powerful in gospel advance. Have I died to personal selfish ambition?

“I would recommend this conference (and the recorded content from previous conferences) to anyone who senses that God is changing the seasons in their life in some significant way. In particular, a call to go or to stay and start something new right there. It can be a daunting task and a lonely road to tread, and the questions discussed, along with the powerful apostolic teaching will help to stir fresh faith and affections to respond and move with God without getting ahead of him or keeping him waiting.”

Back together in Málaga — Relational Mission

How to get a prayer meeting going

How do you get people to not only pray but to love praying and spending time together in God’s presence, longing for powerful and wonderful things to take place that would otherwise be impossible? How do you spark off an unstoppable furnace for people to gather around and warm each other’s hearts in the things of God by calling out for their situation together in the middle of a busy office environment? Or maybe it is your church which is prayerless or has prayer meetings that are not working, evidenced through; no vibrancy, no contributions, few individuals pray, clock watching, dwindling attendance rather than growth.

ON MISSION AT WORK - LLOYD'S STORY - #5 Praying and developing a heart for your situation — Redeemer Church Colchester

Advent: Prepare

Advent: Prepare the Way

“He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:16–17)

What John the Baptist did for Israel, Advent can do for us. Don’t let Christmas find you unprepared. I mean spiritually unprepared. Its joy and impact will be so much greater if you are ready!

So, that you might be prepared . . .

First, meditate on the fact that we need a Saviour. Christmas is an indictment before it becomes a delight. “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). If you don’t need a Saviour, you don’t need Christmas. Christmas will not have its intended effect until we feel desperately the need for a Saviour. Let these short Advent meditations help awaken in you a bittersweet sense of need for the Saviour.

Second, engage in sober self-examination. Advent is to Christmas what Lent is to Easter. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24). Let every heart prepare him room . . . by cleaning house.

Third, build God-cantered anticipation and expectancy and excitement into your home — especially for the children. If you are excited about Christ, they will be too. If you can only make Christmas exciting with material things, how will the children get a thirst for God? Bend the efforts of your imagination to make the wonder of the King’s arrival visible for the children.

Fourth, be much in the Scriptures, and memorize the great passages! “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:29)! Gather ’round that fire this Advent season. It is warm. It is sparkling with colours of grace. It is healing for a thousand hurts. It is light for dark nights.

From www.desiringgod.org/articles/prepare-the-way-of-the-lord