The life and ministry of World Prayer Centre Birmingham England continues, by the grace of God, to grow and flourish.  As we look back over the last 20 plus years, we are so grateful to God for His faithfulness and the support and friendship that have come from brothers and sisters in the UK and around the world. Although we have still not seen the complete fulfilment of the vision, that of an actual World Prayer Centre, we thank God that we are seeing the increasing growth in prayer and mission not only in the UK but also around the world.

With regard to the building, the land promised us, subject to planning, is still available, and even as we write, negotiations are taking place as to the development of the land. We have always known this is a heaven to earth journey that God has said He will do this in His time; therefore we look to Him knowing that when He speaks it will come to pass.

I want to share with you what we believe God wanted us to do in recent months, in the hope that it will encourage you on your faith journey. We all have our accounts audited (hopefully) but what about a ministry audit.

We asked one of our Trustees to have a look at every area of the ministry to make sure that over the years we had not strayed from our original mandate and that our present and future work was fulfilling our purpose, focus and calling.  We are living in such times that we cannot afford to move, dare I say drift, into things, however good they seem that are outside the calling God gives us.  As Jean Darnell once said to me, "Ian, remember the Lord gives you two or three things to do, the enemy tries to get you to do twenty things".

Obviously I cannot go into all the details but trust that as I share some of his report it will be helpful to some who feel this is a moment for such reflection for you and your ministry.

Our purpose is to inform and serve the body of Christ by envisioning, enabling, encouraging and equipping. We are a heaven to earth ministry, passionate about waiting on God, seeking His face, and standing in the gap, to see His purposes fulfilled as His Kingdom comes on earth as it is in Heaven.

Our Focus is to enable prayer in and for the UK and the Nations, to encourage worship and intimacy with the Triune God, to stand in the gap - intercede for faith to be released, spiritual climates to be changed, and the gospel to flourish to usher in His Kingdom on earth as in heaven.

Our calling is to encourage and inspire the prayer movement, to act as a watchman both for the UK and the Nations, to provide credible and current information to enable informed, persistent prayer, to be true worshippers and to lead others into worship, to pray the gospel to be heard, seen and experienced through mission, social action and lifestyle, to bless and encourage family life and to bless the poor and marginalised with practical action.

Are we achieving all this?  No, but we are, with you, on the journey. Our prayer is that these few observations will help and encourage you to do the same. By God's grace we with you want to stay focused on Jesus and alert and focused on all that God is giving us in the global movement of prayer.

Thanks for your friendship, thanks for praying for and with us.  We are calling a National Trumpet Call Day of Prayer on July 4th this year in Birmingham; it would be great if you could stand with us.

Blessings
Ian Cole
e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
w: www.worldprayer.org.uk

Let's stand with Ian and Pauline Cole and their colleagues for the fulfillment of this magnificent, persevering vision of the World Prayer Centre!