Prayer Month at St James

September 2025

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray…” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIVUK)

This September, we are entering a special season of prayer as a church. Our new teaching series, Moving Heaven: A Church on Its Knees, invites us to rediscover the power of prayer — not just on our own, but together as a church family. We believe prayer is not a last resort — it is the main way we invite God’s will into our lives and community.

What This Series is About

When Jesus went into the temple and saw it had become like a marketplace, He flipped tables and said:

“My house will be called a house of prayer.”

(Matthew 21:13)

This shows how important prayer is to God’s idea of church. In this series, we are learning that the church is not just a group of people gathering — it is God’s family, called to make His Kingdom visible through united prayer.

called to bring about His Kingdom through agreement in prayer.

We’re exploring:

  • What the Bible means by “church” and how Jesus used the word ekklesia to describe a legislative, governing assembly

  • How prayer opens a connection between Heaven and Earth, allowing God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10)

  • Why agreement in prayer (quorum) is important (Matthew 18:19–20)

  • How God has chosen to work through people on Earth (Psalm 115:16, Genesis 1:26–28)

  • How prayer has historically sparked revivals and transformed communities, like in the Welsh & Hebridean Revivals

We believe God is calling us to become a church on its knees, ready to move Heaven through united, Spirit-led, persistent prayer.

How We’re Living This Out Together

Here’s how we’re building a culture of prayer at St James this month:

1. Corporate Prayer on Sundays

  • Pre-Service Prayer – 9:30am in the Church Hall
    Join us each Sunday before the service to pray for God’s presence, power and direction.

  • Spirit-Led Prayer in the Service
    Every Sunday, we will make space to pray together. Some weeks it will be guided prayer, other weeks open-mic for anyone to pray. Come ready to participate!

2. Weekly Prayer in Villages (Wednesdays)

  • Each Village will set aside time to pray together.

  • We will pray into:

    • Needs within our local communities

    • Revival and transformation in Kidbrooke

    • Spiritual growth for our church family

3. Church-wide Fasting Every Thursday

  • We invite everyone to fast each Thursday during September. Fasting can include skipping meals, social media, entertainment, or anything that distracts you from focusing on God.

Online prayer to break the fast (click one of the links below to join):

Thursday September 11th at 5:00–5:30pm on Google Meet

Thursday September 18th at 5:00–5:30pm on Google Meet

Thursday September 25th at 5:00–5:30pm on Google Meet

4. Monthly Prayer Night – Seek First

Our monthly Seek First prayer gatherings take place on Tuesday evenings. (Please note this is a change from Mondays).

Next Date: Tuesday October 7th at 7:30pm

Location: St James Church

These nights are designed to:

  • Teach us how to pray (Luke 11:1 – “Lord, teach us to pray”)

  • Grow our ability to pray for longer periods

  • Encounter God together as a praying community

Why It Matters

The Bible shows that the church has spiritual authority, and prayer is how we use that authority. We are God’s representatives in Kidbrooke, and when we pray together, Heaven moves.

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about seeking God first and becoming a church that listens to Him and brings His Kingdom here on Earth. Let’s become a church on its knees — not just in September, but as a way of life.