Chris Chamberlain is the National Leader of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand.
What could happen if every voice, every home, and every Baptist church across Aotearoa New Zealand leaned in together?
Over the four Sundays in September, New Zealand Baptist Churches are doing something special – we’re taking the time to pray together.
This is part of Together in Prayer; an opportunity for us as Baptist whānau to seek God’s wisdom and guiding together across our churches, communities and homes.
At its heart, Together in Prayer is a call to intentional listening and prayer.
Though our contexts, communities, and church ministries may look different, we can be encouraged by our shared desire to know Jesus more deeply, and to participate in God’s transforming work across Aotearoa.
Over four weeks, we will journey through four significant themes:
Radical
Jesus calls His followers to a courageous and distinctive way of life. This week challenges us to consider how God may be inviting us into deeper discipleship, and bold obedience to His leading. Click here for the Week 1 prayer resource.
Repentance
Repentance is an invitation to acknowledge where we have drifted from God's ways and to receive afresh His grace, forgiveness, and restoration. Together, we turn our hearts toward God with honesty and humility.
Renewal
As we draw near to God, we seek God's renewing work as He shapes us to become more like Jesus and empowers us for His mission.
Revival
Praying for a fresh movement of God's Spirit across our nation, we ask for lives to be transformed, communities to be renewed, and churches to be alive with the power of God.
Throughout the month, resources will be released weekly to help engage with the relevant prayer focus. These resources will be available through the Baptist NZ app (make sure "Prayer and Devotional Content" notifications are enabled so you'll be alerted when new resources are released) and online at baptist.nz/prayer.
As you engage with each weekly theme, we encourage you to listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit may be saying to you, for your church, and for us as a wider Baptist whānau.
We'd love to hear what God is stirring among us. You can share your reflections and insights through the form available at baptist.nz/prayer.
Watch the short video below introducing Together in Prayer.
We are kingdom people.
We are agents of reconciliation.
We are a people envisioned by hope.
So this September, let's come expectant.
Let's come united.
Let's come ready for God to speak and move.
