A Crosslinks prayer meeting 

Crosslinks prayer meetings are held regularly in a variety of locations across the country; places as diverse as Polegate, Great Baddow and Weymouth. These are organised by our supporters. Shelagh Horsman of Harold Wood reports on a typical meeting: “The Chelmsford area Crosslinks prayer group meets three times a year to share information and to pray for Crosslinks mission partners.We are a small but enthusiastic group of up to 12 people, meeting for about an hour and praying for three or four different mission partners each time. Two or three of the group are asked to come prepared with maybe maps, photos and news items to keep us up to date.We see this as an essential part of supporting our mission partners and the work at the central office.” 

Study partner support 

Of course, prayer is not confined to our mission partners. All our activities must be covered in faithful prayer, not least the work amongst study partners. David Seccombe of George Whitfield College in South Africa writes: “Joseph Argwing, (a Crosslinks study partner), has returned for his second year. His chemotherapy last year appears to have been very successful. Joseph is lame in one leg due to polio, and walks with the help of a pole, which takes both his hands to manipulate. His gammy leg is twisted 180 degrees so that his foot faces backwards. He was befriended by one of last year’s students, who took him to an orthopaedic surgeon who says he can straighten the leg and with the help of a caliper enable him to stand upright. The student then did a deal with the surgeon to do the job this year. It is a quite amazing thing and I would ask you to pray that all goes well.” 

Prayer requests and answers 

Taking a dipstick sample of just a fortnight, we can identify at least four answers to specific prayer requests, sent out in the last edition of Prayer News: 

1 April Sena and Jane Ounate-Lare asked us to pray for the country of Togo, where the death of the president had brought about political instability. Elections held on April 24 were mainly peaceful. 

13 April Colin and Hazel Maunsell asked for continued good health and opportunities to rest. They are thankful for many answers to prayer but rest and strength for the day are still needed. 

14 April Returning mission partners Bill and Sara Goodman asked for prayer for a gradual adjustment to being back in the UK, both for themselves and their two children, Matthew and Anna. This is taking place. 

16 April Catherine Ellwood asked for prayer for more teachers for the next academic year at the Bingham Academy; many staffing needs have been filled.

For the sake of those involved, some requests are almost written in code, but nevertheless they do get answered. These range from very specific issues such as accommodation and visas, to more general areas such as prayers for safety, protection and peace. 

Crosslinks magazine July 2005 index