After the labour party conference

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

We are back at the CSM office after a busy and rewarding week at The Labour Party Conference (LPC)! The Lord did of course listen to our prayers and the 13 events went better than we could have hoped for. We give thanks for answered prayer.

During these meetings, many topics were discussed and lots of ideas, opinions and questions were raised and listened to. The issues included the economy, climate change, international development, the youth of today and of tomorrow….big topics and important issues. I learned so much from these talks! Yet, I wonder how we can take these things forward?

One important place to start is prayer. We ask you to join us in praying for:

• The next few months for CSM

• Continued dialogue coming from the shared faith Values Document

• Young people and employment, particularly services that will really change or improve their lives

• For MPs to be making the right decisions over the following months, decisions which matter right into the future and not just for today

• For Andy as he performs in front of crowds in Australia during the first two weeks of October, that people will be touched and be able to give their lives to God

• The launch of CSM’s campaign next week to separate speculative casino banking from traditional retail banking

• For the members, staff, officers and volunteers of CSM found in various locations, that we can come together and find ways to share the work we are doing and be strengthened, inspired and enthused by God.

Our final prayer, as we head towards the next general election, is that:

"He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain." 2 Sam 23.3-4

MADELEINE JONES, 09/10/2009