Summer is a key time for SU. With 70 holidays and 28 missions and churches running their own holiday clubs using SU material, there are many opportunities for children, young people and families to hear the good news. But there are many competing activities and it is important that children and young people are drawn to those that could make a lasting difference to their lives.
Sunday 23: Focus for today and throughout the week
Preparation for the summer is moving into top gear. Adequate spiritual preparation is key. Let’s pray that God will be preparing the way, team members, right now involved in busy lives, will have the time to prepare adequately and that God will protect all those
involved.
Monday 24
Scripture Union’s publishing operation is a key element in delivering our ministry but the
current economic climate and changes in the Christian book trade present challenges. The publishing review group meets this morning and the Scripture Union Board this afternoon. Pray for wisdom and right decision making for both the running of publishing and the wider strategic direction of the movement.
Tuesday 25
Today and tomorrow Lifepath will be taking place in Olney. Based on the life of a slave ship captain turned songwriter, this will involve around 600 children from local schools and will draw on the varied skills of around sixty volunteers. Pray that the children who come will catch something of the significance of the Christian faith for them, as they look at the life of John Newton.
Wednesday 26
Children Matter! brings together a number of agencies working with children. A forum meeting, aimed at those with a degree of regional or national influence in relation to ministry with children in the UK, is taking place today and tomorrow. The focus is on new thinking and challenges around mission and discipleship. Pray for relationships to be deepened, hearts to be stirred and God-directed collaboration and action to follow.
Thursday 27
Some of the Scripture Union holidays are fully booked but others still have places. Time and time again we have discovered that children and young people end up on the right holiday for them – for which we can give thanks. Let’s pray that again this year they will find themselves in just the right place. Pray too, for any who are wondering about whether to book, that God will lead them to the right place.
Friday 28
Many SU missions have been running for many years. Beach missions especially have become a regular feature in some towns (one even features on a local postcard). This makes the constant need to review and refresh even more important. Pray for mission leaders that they will always find ways of ensuring that the missions are contemporary and moving forward. Pray too, for good relationships with local churches.
Saturday 29: International focus
In the Spring, SU Romania started a new campaign, ’A Clean City Needs a Clean Heart’. This social action project aims to demonstrate the love of God by cleaning the parks in Timisoara, their local city. Pray for motivated young people, many of whom will be recruited from other SU activities, for cooperation with the authorities and for a real impact on the community as they see God’s love in action.