Persist, Partner and Position

May 15th, 2026

Dear church family

On Sunday at our Ashford site Josh, our visiting speaker, challenged us to Persist, Partner and Position ourselves in prayer. What a fantastic message that is and so challenging. I wonder how you have decided to respond to his challenge.

I loved his story of Alice who used to arrive at work before anyone else, so that she could pray over each chair in the office. Is that something you could do? Jeremiah told the Israelites who had been taken as slaves to Babylon:

"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

Wherever we find ourselves, whether or not we want to be there, we are called to pray for the prosperity of our community. This does not only mean economic prosperity but for spiritual, emotional and mental prosperity, for peace and breakthrough.

I once worked for a company where there was considerable unrest, so I phoned the only other Christian that I knew worked there and arranged to have a zoom call with him once a week to pray for our company and colleagues. We kept note of those prayers and we saw considerable breakthrough. The prayers were not always answered as we expected, in fact we were often surprised at how God moved, but he most definitely moved in response to our prayers. We persisted and we saw change.

When next you are tempted to complain, moan or gossip about your workplace or anywhere else you find yourself, choose to pray instead and be the conduit for God to bring change. Wherever you are you can persist in prayer, partner with God and position yourself to be a watchperson on the walls. If you commit to this, your faith will increase as you see God move and you will be blessed. You can do that yourself, but even better to find someone to pray with, as you will hold each other accountable. Don't forget to keep a record of your prayers, because you will be amazed when you look back at how many prayers have been answered that you have forgotten you prayed.

If you didn't hear the sermon, please do find time to watch back on this link: Keep Watch With Me | Guest Speaker Josh Smith

Let us all increase the temperature of our prayer lives together. There are many opportunities to pray with us at church. If you have commitments that genuinely mean you can't make any of our prayer meetings, why don't you start your own prayer group with friends in the same position as you at a time and place of your choosing.

Whatever you do – PRAY

Much love,

Paula

SUNDAY SERVICES | 10:30AM
Join us in person this Sunday in Ashford, Brabourne or Finberry!
You can also join us online from New Wells Ashford for our sermon series 'Trusting God's Plan': https://youtu.be/Xn4E2XMPCWw

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New Wells - Joseph - Trusting God-s plan KATIE_Square 2.png

BAPTISM COURSE - STARTING THIS SUNDAY
Starting Sunday 17th May | 7:30pm | On Zoom
This is a three-part course for anyone who has not yet been baptised but is thinking about it or just wants to find out more about what it is or means.

Sign up here: https://newwells.churchsuite.com/events/orxeyffm or please email Kelly kelly.carolan@newwells.church if you would like more information

Course dates
Sun 17th May
Tue 19th May
Thu 21st May

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New Wells - Exploring Baptism graphics - May 2026_Social media.png

PRESCHOOL OPEN DAY - THIS MONDAY
Monday 18th May | 9:30am | New Wells Ashford
We are delighted to invite you to our Preschool Open Day on Monday 18th May, from 9:30am to 11:30am. Come along and explore our preschool, meet the team, and discover what we have to offer. It's the perfect opportunity to look around! On the day, our popular Tots at New Wells group will be running, and we'll also have the Fun Bus joining us – making it a fun-filled and engaging morning for everyone! More info www.newwells.church/preschool

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POWER HOUR - THIS THURSDAY
Thursday 21st May | 8-9pm | New Wells Ashford
Prayer is important ? Join us this week as we pray & worship together as one church family

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New Wells - Power Hour - Socials_Social media.png

PENTECOST SUNDAY
Sunday 24th May | 6pm | Bright City
Join together with other church families across Ashford for this evening service

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Churches Together - Pentecost 2026 V2_Social media.png

HOLIDAY CLUB - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
27th | 28th | 29th May | Finberry/Brabourne/Ashford
We would love to have you as part of our Holiday Club team!