Leigh Family Prayer Bulletin - January 2009

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It's here...2009!

I listen at this time of the year to what different trusted prophetic voices are saying about the year to come. At the same time I reflect on what has been in the previous calendar year. Yes, our God exists outside of the constraints of time, but He, the infinite one, has given us, the finite ones, time and time milestones that we might mark time effectively and fruitfully and present to Him the gift of a wise heart (Psalm 90:12). I believe attention to the wind of the Spirit demands an observation and reflection both on where we've come from and on where we're going.

Along this line, one thing Angela and I read together on New Year's Eve (romantic evening at home with all 3 kids celebrating elsewhere...special!!!) was the following:

What is established in 2009 will live for many years to come. This is a pregnant year, so what we can conceive, we can birth. The last season has positioned us at the gates of society; it has been a preparation for the greater works, and a new release of the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit from us.

I definitely see the preparation of the last 4 months as key for the launch of this new calendar year: personally, as a family, in our specific Christian community here in France and in the world at large. The "apple cart" has been "upset" (violently in some cases) in so many domains of life and society, specifically as preparation for the establishing to come in 2009. After a very destabilizing season (kneading, massaging), the "clay" of our hearts, our lives, of this world, is ready for the Potter (Jeremiah 18) to create something new. This is also a vulnerable time where the enemy would seek to "establish" as well…a time to importune Heaven so that the justice of God would be that which is established during this season (Luke 18:1-6).

…end of sermon…;-)

Our time with a full house has been wonderful. True, we began a bit under the weather and the pocketbook is feeling a serious pinch at the moment, but our time simply being together as a family (all kids home) has been delightful…some of the most positive time that I think we've spent together as a family. While I do value my routine, this has been a refreshing change of pace…and it's not over yet!

Olivia returns to school the 5th but both Noah and Rachel are with us until the following weekend. This is a wonderful thing as they can be there for Olivia's 13th birthday on January 7th and the special Blessing Ceremony that we're planning for the occasion. It is this ceremony that was the impetus for the Princess Class that Angela did this fall and wrapped up in December. We've already begun to hear positive feedback from the 9 girls who participated in the class, their families and their teachers with respect to the changes they've seen in the girls' lives.

While we mark a milestone specifically for Olivia this month, we can say that all three of our kids have evidenced a new level of maturity and flourishing in their lives since the last time we were all together in June. God has been working in each of them and it is such a blessing for Angela and I to experience.

Please Pray...

• Olivia's 13th Birthday and Blessing Ceremony - We're loosely following the concepts of a "Bar Barakah" (in her case a "Bat Barakah") ceremony to celebrate Olivia's passage into being a woman. Because this is a practically unheard of concept in France (and because blessing of children is such a needed concept in France), we see this ceremony as not only a profound time in Olivia's life but also as a very important testimony to those who will attend the ceremony. To read more about blessing our children take a look at the 1st chapter of Craig Hill's book: Ancient Paths. For many reasons, we were not able to do this in the same way with Rachel or Noah so we're not very experienced at this! Angela has really been working tirelessly and diligently at this to make it just right. Please pray for the hearts for all involved. Pray that this would be the establishing, kairos moment that God desires. Pray that this practice of blessing our children would begin to spread in France.

• Finances - As mentioned, our pocketbook is feeling a particular pinch at the moment (join the club you say?). Like last month, I still think that we need to pray that the Body of Christ (us included) would align ourselves to God's way of understanding and experiencing provision in this season...which is not necessarily what we've understood in the past.

• Worship/Occupying - We've mentioned before the building that our church moved into in 2008. We meet on the 2nd floor, but on the ground floor there is an abandoned discotheque that is still filled only with good intentions. It's been on my heart that in order to occupy this space physically (for which we're already paying rent), we need to occupy it spiritually in worship. It's a physically dark place with temporary lighting and black walls, ceiling and floor from its disco days. One could imagine that it's a spiritually dark place as well. My thought is that it's a place much like like Genesis 1:2. It's dark, formless and void…but with the Spirit of God hovering there, the possibility of Creation awakes. I desire to bring the Spirit there through worship - simple, informal…but consistent and regular. As a family, we've broken the ice, so to speak, in worshiping there once last week. Please pray that we can move forward, with discernment, into establishing some sort of weekly worship time in that physical space. Pray that the brooding Spirit prepares the way for what God wants to create in that space.

• Worship/Reconciling - One of the results of the trip I took to Germany in November with others from our church was that our pastor's wife re-connected with a German house-church with which our church had had some relationship many years ago. They are just across the border from us and we've invited this tiny assembly to come and visit us for a Sunday service and fellowship. They have accepted our offer and will visit January 11th. Among our worship leaders, I have the most experience in worshiping in German (which is to say "not much" compared to "none"). So, we'll be leading worship in French and German on January 11th and celebrating the unity of the Body of Christ in Europe and another step in French-German reconciliation in Alsace in a small, simple but hopefully significant way. Please pray for our ability to lead in a bi-lingual (French/German) context. Pray for those who will be translating between French and German. Pray for the re-establishing of genuine relationship. Pray for seeds to be planted for the future that find good soil in which to grow.

• Establishing - We expect to hear about our residence permit renewal in January. We've asked for a 10-year permit this time (w/right to work) and are believing that this is a time for this change. Please pray for favor with the French government to facilitate a deep rooting here in France in the Alsace region. Pray also that any strengthening of our rootedness here would not just be for us but would have a ripple effect on how the Lord could use us in other lives. Pray the same things also for our Australian friend Leonie with YWAM in the States who expects to hear about her Green Card in January as well.

This year, may you be established...to establish!
David