As today is the third Friday of the month, we will continue to explore why the AFCU exists and examine what we do.
This week, our Prayer Coordinator, Juliette Stokes, helps us look at prayer. What is prayer, what does it look like in the AFCU, and how do you become part of the AFCU’s prayer life?
What is prayer?
Prayer is the joy of direct communication with God, our Heavenly Father, through his son, Jesus Christ. Prayer is not just a form of mindfulness or passive reflection, but an intimate, personal communication with God, who longs for a relationship with each of us.
We have the truly amazing privilege of bringing all our fears, worries and concerns to him, the God who ‘won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt and who doesn’t disregard the small and insignificant, but who steadily and firmly sets things right.’ Isaiah 42:3 The Message
As we take time to speak to God in prayer, being real and honest before Him, and allowing space and stillness to hear and receive from Him, we receive the deep peace of knowing that God is with us and will help us in every situation we face.
Paul wrote, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:6–7).
AFCU prayer
Prayer has been and always will be at the heart of AFCU’s ministry. From its beginnings 175 years ago to the present day, AFCU offers its members many types of prayer support and provides opportunities for them to be part of that prayer support for others. Prayer is the foundation of all we do at AFCU.
AFCU is here to support you in prayer if you are serving in the military and need regular, personal and dedicated prayer support from our Prayer Support Teams (PST). Or if you have a one-off or long-term prayer need that you want our group of prayer warriors or the staff team to lift up in prayer, such as ill health, deployment, ministry event, family needs, long-term issues, or prayer for padres.
We offer confidentiality, understanding and a willingness to come alongside you in prayer when you need it most, either in the short term or for the long haul. We stand by the words of Corrie ten Boom when she talked about prayer: ‘The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specialises in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.’
How can you be part of AFCU’s prayer life?
Has this article inspired you to either get AFCU prayer support for yourself and those you love or to get involved with praying for others? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please see the various options below:
To sign up to be prayed for by one of our dedicated Prayer Support Teams while you serve in the military, click here.
To sign up to pray for individual serving members and their families, click here.
You might like to join in with the Midday Prayer group, which meets every workday to pray from 1200 to 1230 on Zoom, join our emergency prayer chain or receive our Confidential Intercessory Paper. To be involved in these prayer opportunities or to receive a copy of our more detailed 31 Days of Prayer, please contact the office. office@afcu.org.uk
You might prefer to have information to help you pray for the military more generally; we offer various prayer resources for you and your church. If you would like to learn more, please click here to explore the options available to you.
If you would like further information or to discuss this further, please email Juliette, our AFCU Prayer Coordinator at: juliettestokes@afcu.org.uk