Rather than give you more teaching in this post, I thought I would update you on some progress made in our own village of Brynsiencyn. At the beginning of this current process of prayer-walking I used to take Ruth (the dog) to some open land by the children’s play area so that I could throw a ball for her and pray at the same time. The prayers began in a very general way for the first few times but as I asked God to show me what I should pray for I sensed that there was something in terms of an atmosphere of poverty over the village.

I knew of a couple of instances whereby people had tried to make a go of their business and had tried to better themselves but had come up against brick walls and failed. So I began to pray into this area, asking God to lift off the village whatever it was that was holding people back. I also sensed that in part we as a couple first needed to push through ourselves on this one thus making space for the village also to come into a similar place in the spirit. All very nebulous and ill-defined you may say, but I went with it in prayer.

This would have been a couple of months ago when the building work on Helen’s post office was about to begin. The original plan was for one wall to be rebuilt and then the making good of any resulting damage. The end result, however, has been very different: not only has the wall been rebuilt, but they have also given her a new entrance, they have completely rewired the building, put a new floor covering down, new shelves, and redecorated most of the inside. The floor space of the shop area has been increased significantly and a new raised concrete platform as a part of the entrance outside is large enough for a couple of tables and chairs to be placed on should Helen want to provide teas and coffees for customers. This is far more than was originally planned or expected – or even prayed for! – and as it’s the council’s building it hasn’t cost us a single penny. Not only has it not cost us anything but the post office have also kept on paying Helen’s wage over the closure period! She has now re-opened and business is beginning to come back. Answered prayer? Yes – and then some!

But what makes this story even more exciting is that in the last week the village pub has begun a big refit programme on their premises. Pubs are closing at a fast rate in the UK these days – but this one seems to be investing significantly in the business. While there is a lot more to be done, something has shifted in our village and we look forward to seeing more prosperity in what is a poor area.

Now get yourself a dog, teach him to play ball, and get out there praying!