March 2010

Tuesday 9th March
Give thanks and pray for our volunteers. We are blessed by those who come and join us in our daily work and for the many gifts they share with us and with those in our care. Please pray for each of them in their minstry, that they will be encouraged and uplifted in their lives as they give their time freely in love and service.

Monday 8th March
This morning in our prayer meeting we had lots to give thanks and praise for. Peter, our CEO, is home and was with us this morning after spending some time in hospital. The morning was really beautiful with clear sunny skies and the sound of the birds singing was just lovely to hear. We would not be here right now in this ministry if the Lord had not provided for us in more ways than we could imagine. Please join us in giving thanks for all the above and for His amazing love to us each day.

Friday 5th March
Pray that all we do here at CFL will be to the glory of God and that we will always stay focused on Him and His purpose for us. Pray we would remember when we struggle, that we cannot do His work in our own strength but in His.

Please pray for peace in both homes this weekend. Pray that staff and young people will have a good family time together. Pray for those attending church this Sunday that they might gain a deeper understanding of how much Jesus loves them just for who they are.

Thursday 4th March
Please pray for the Being There team, for safety on the roads and for the time they spend with each person in their care. Pray they will be guided by the Lord in all they say and do, especially when dealing with sensitive situations.

Wednesday 3rd March
Peter, our CEO is unwell at this time; please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers. Please pray that he will be comforted and strenghened and know the Lord's peace within him. Pray also for our young people who are anxious about him and miss seeing him around the farm

Please pray for new staff members, Steve and Steven, as they settle into their new roles at CFL. Pray each one will be blessed in their ministry as they begin to make new friends and that they will build good relationships with those in our care.

February 2010

Friday 26th February
Please pray for the Being There team. Pray for all those in their care that they will receive something of Jesus love and compassion in the care they receive. So many people are isolated and lonely and we give thanks for the privilege of being part of their lives and the opportunity of drawing them closer to our loving Saviour, Jesus.

Pray for our 'Pause for a Cause' Coffee Morning taking place at the farm this morning. Pray that a good number of people will come and support this event, despite the weather!

Thursday 25th February
Give thanks and praise for all that we have received through the love of the Lord here at CFL. We are amazed at the generosity and commitment of so many of God’s people, without whom this ministry would not be here. They are with us in prayer, by their giving and their time volunteering. Give thanks for all who love us here at Caring For Life and are very much a part of our wider family.

‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,’ Ephesians 3.20

Wednesday 24th February
Please pray that all staff, young people and volunteers will stay safe and have a good day together at the farm. Pray that their time together will be blessed with good conversations and happy working environments.

Tuesday 23rd February
Please continue to pray for our CEO Peter who is unwell at this time. Pray he will soon be feeling better and will know the peace and comfort of the Lord in his heart.

Monday 22nd February
Please pray for Stevie who has just joined the staff team at CFL. Pray he will be blessed in his ministry, that he will soon settle into his role in the woodwork shop and build good relationships with the young men on that project.

Friday 18th February
Please give praise and thanks for all our supporters. We are so blessed with their love and support of this ministry. Pray they will each receive an abundance of God's grace in their own lives particularly those who are facing challenging times with health, work or family difficulties.

Thursday 18th February
Please pray for our 'Being There' team who support many needy and vulnerable people who live independently across Leeds. Pray particularly for the staff as they support a family who are in a very difficult situation and need much loving care at this time.

Wednesday 17th February
Please pray for all those leading and attending Bible study this evening. Pray that their time together will be blessed in many ways. Pray for good fellowship with those in our care as they gain a deeper understanding of Jesus who loves them for who they are.

Tuesday 16th February
Give thanks for all we have received and for the many blessings that we continue to receive each day. Pray that all staff, volunteers and young people will be uplifted and encouraged by the Lord's faithfulness to this ministry.

Monday 15th February
Please continue to pray for our CEO, Peter and for his family. Pray he will feel the love, strength and peace of the Lord within him and recognise the times when he needs to take time to rest.

Friday 12th February
Please pray for all those in our care this weekend; for those in both homes, that there will be good fellowship and a time of rest. Pray particularly for those who depend on coming here each weekday and struggle at the weekend with being alone.

Thursday 11th February
Please give thanks for our Volunteers who come to us in all weathers and are a real blessing and encouragement to our staff and young people. Pray for each one of them, that they will equally be blessed and encouraged in their valuable contribuition to this ministry.

Wednesday 10th February
Please pray for good weather so that the team from Dunbia will be able to complete the meat room. Please pray for the team that they will stay safe and for the good relationships that are being formed with our young people (who want to challenge them to a friendly game of football when given opportunity at lunchtime!). The new meat room is an amazing gift that will open new doors us, giving us the ability to increase our range of products and our sales through the farm shop.

Tuesday 9th February
Please pray for the Granary and Farm Shop and all the staff and volunteers who work there. We are seeing an increase in customer numbers and many people now come up on a regular basis because this is a place ‘with a difference’ and they feel there is something very special here! Pray that we will use opportunities for God given conversations with those who want to know more about Jesus whose love is freely given to all.

Monday 8th February
Please pray for a couple in our care who have just got married. Pray that they will grow in their relationship together with each other and stay close to the Lord. Pray we will be able to support them in any way they may need us.

Friday 5th February
Please pray for all at the farm today, that everyone will stay safe and for good working relationships in all areas. Give thanks for all those who have been entrusted into our care, that they will know how much they are loved and respected for who they are and that they will know that they are very much a part of our special family.

Thursday 4th February
Give thanks that we are so blessed with the love of God’s people who uplift our work and ministry each day through prayer, voluntary work and financial gifts. Pray they will each receive many blessings and encouragement each day in their own lives.

Please also pray for those we know whom have supported us for many years who are struggling with ill health at this time. Pray they will know the peace of the Lord and be comforted by those who love and care for them.

Wednesday 3rd February
Please pray for all those leading and attending the Bible study this evening, that they will have a good time of discovery and fellowship together. Pray for those who are still 'testing the water' with their faith that they will come into a into a closer relationship with Jesus and know that He is with them in all things.

Tuesday 2nd February
Please pray for our Management and PR teams. We are facing challenging times connected to our financial situation and our teams are working hard with the Lord’s guidance to discover ways of finding new supporters and funding. Pray that they will each be encouraged particularly when doors are closed to them and give thanks for any new doors that are opened to us.

Monday 1st February
Please pray for the Being There team and the many people who have been entrusted into their care. Pray for wisdom, strength and protection as the team work with some very sensitive and difficult situations each day. Pray particularly for:

M, who is living in fear of her violent ex-partner. Pray for her peace of mind and protection, and for Becky who is supporting her - that she may know how best to help her.

K, who has just been released from prison. Pray that he may quickly settle into a new way of life, away from old influences, and that he will have a strong desire not to go back to old habits.

Two young men who both quickly need somewhere new to live. Pray for Tim as he seeks to support them and help them find appropriate accommodation.

L, a young mother, who is back in Court this week in what is a long and difficult case. Pray that she may be able to withstand all that she is having to go through, and may still be able to care for her young children through all the difficulties she faces.

January 2010

Thursday 28th January
Please continue to pray for our finances, that the Lord will continue to provide for our needs. Many charities continue to be affected by the current financial cllimate and are facing similar challenges to those of CFL. We do however have the prayers of many faithful people uplifting us every day and we are also in the hands of a mighty God, who is with us in all things. For this we give thanks and praise and pray (as many of our young people do each day) that this work and ministry will be here for many, many more years.

Wednesday 27th January
Please pray for our young people. We are seeing Jesus' love working in the hearts of some very fragile individuals who have problems and struggles that only He can fully understand. Pray they will feel loved and cared for and also encouraged to join our bible studies and to attend church.

Tuesday 26th January
Tonight and tomorrow night we will be spending the evening with our volunteers at a special thanksgiving meal. Pray this will be a great time of fellowship as we come together and try to give back something for all the hard work and dedication they so freely give to the ministry of CFL.

Monday 25th January
Give thanks for the many ways we are blessed in our ministry at CFL, The Lord supports and protects us and we feel His presence throughout each day, which uplifts and encourages our staff, volunteers and young people.

Friday 22nd January
Please continue to pray for our CEO, Peter and his family. Pray also for those we know who are struggling with many different health issues at this time and for those who are caring for them each day.

Thursday 21st January
Give thanks and praise that we have the love and prayers of God's faithful people. There are many who support our ministry in manys, making it possible for us to be there for many hurting and vulnerable people over the years. Pray we will always have the Lord's powerful protection over the whole of the charity's work and ministry, that we will keep our eyes focused on Him and His vision for CFL and give Him all the glory.

Wednesday 20th January
Please pray for those in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake. Pray for families and individuals who have witnessed the most terrible and unthinkable of horrors. Pray they will quickly receive the help they need from the teams who are working to bring them relief and help them as they suffer from loss and trauma. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are working to help rescue and bring aid to those in Haiti. Pray that they will find time for rest and will be encouraged as they work in the midst of overwhelming suffering and pain.

Tuesday 19th January
Please pray for the team of builders from Dunbia (Ireland) who are building our new meat room. The weather did hold things up for a few weeks but things are now back on track. Pray and give thanks for the team, that they will stay safe and each will be blessed in their time spent here at CFL.

Monday 18th January
Please pray for all those in our care. Some have their own personal stuggles and we pray that through the help and loving care they receive, they may find ways to cope and look to the future with a more positive attitude and a real sense of belonging to the CFL family.

Thursday 14th January
Please pray for our volunteers. We are blessed with some very gifted people who are faithful and willing to serve along with the staff. Pray they will be blessed in their work, which is extremely valuable to us and our young people who love to see and work with them.

Wednesday 13th January
Give thanks that we have all stayed safe over the bad weather period. The Housing Support team have managed to continue with most of their visits, which has been a real blessing and a lifeline for many lonely and vulnerable people. Pray for those in our care who are really struggling with any difficulties in their lives at this time.

Tuesday 12th January
Please pray for everyone working outdoors on the farm. There is always plenty to do and the snow has made things more difficult for the team. Pray for good fellowship as they work together to care for the animals and each other.

Also pray that we will soon find the right person to fill the post of Agri Project Leader.

Monday 11th January
Please pray for our supporters, God’s faithful people who help to sustain our ministry through Prayer, time given volunteering and financial gifts. Pray we will have doors opened to us that will bring new supporters on board. It is with the support of God’s faithful people that we are able to move forward in faith and give glory to His name.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Thursday 7th January
Please pray for the Housing Support team as they care for many vulnerable and needy people, some in very difficult situations. Pray the Lord will guide and bless them and help them to build relationships with those in their care and protect them as they travel in such bad weather conditions.
 
Wednesday 6th January
As we look forward with hope for the year ahead we ask that you would join us in prayer for the following:

Give thanks for:
The Lord’s faithfulness to the ministry of CFL.
Those the Lord has entrusted and brought into our care.
Our amazing team of staff and volunteers.
All those who have committed to support our work in prayer and financially.

Pray for:
Peter, our CEO and his family.
Our management team as we face challenging times with our finances.
Spiritual growth and the Lord’s powerful protection for those in our care.
All who come to the farm each day.

December 2009

Thursday 31st December
Give thanks for the many blessings we have received here at CFL over this past year. Please pray that the Lord will provide us with infinite possibilities for new beginnings and new discoveries in the New Year. In this new day of new beginnings with God, all things are possible. We are restored and renewed in a joyous awakening to the wonder that our lives are when we open our hearts to the love and grace that only Jesus can bring to us.

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’ 1Peter 1:3

Tuesday 29th December
Praise God with us that we had a very peaceful time here at Crag House Farm on Christmas Day, with our biggest ever group here for lunch, 65 in total, but no arguments or problems just a lovely day of fellowship together!

Sunday 27th December
Please pray that our faithful supporters will be richly blessed as they go to their respctive places of worship today, and pray for those of our supporters who are ill, especially those who are unable to attend their own places of worship because of illness.

Saturday 26th December
Please pray for our staff team at CFL, many of who will be extremely tired after an extremely busy time. Pray for the Lord to bless the work in the Granary and our Farm Shop with huge success, in order to provide desperately needed assistance to Caring For Life's financial requirements.

Friday 25th December
Many of those in our care will be alone today, and some will be extremely unhappy. Please pray for their safety. Pray also for those who will be coming to our Christmas dinner at the farm, that we shall be able to share Jesus love with them them all. Pray also for the Christmas morning service at Grace Community Church to which all those atteding the Christmas dinner at the farm will be attending. Pray that some will for the first time, really come to understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Thursday 24th December
Today is our Christmas party for all those who are here on the farm and who participate in any of our thrapeutic activites. Please remember in your prayers the staff preparing the meals and pray that a really happy, and blessed time will be enjoyed by everyone.

Wednesday 23rd December
Please remember our Housing Support Team, now named “Being There” as they try to ‘be there’ for all of those for whom we care this Christmas time. Please especially pray for those in our care who pose high risks of self-harming or even suicide, issues which are especially serious at Christmas time.

Tuesday 22nd December
Please pray for our ‘Being There’ team visiting people in their own homes to take gifts food parcels and offer support. Pray for safe travel in treacherous conditions and for personal safety when visiting and offering the love of Jesus to some in our care who can have violent partners or even be violent themselves.

Monday 21st December
Please pray for all those working on the Farm, both staff, those in our care and volunteers, all working in very cold conditions. Their work made doubly difficult with water frozen up on all areas of the farm and trying to defrost pipes and get water to our poultry, cattle, horses and sheep.

Sunday 20th December
Please pray for the many special Christmas services held all over our country and indeed the world. Pray that this Christmas many will hear the wonderful message of God's love for mankind and come to know the wonder of Jesus love for themselves.

Saturday 19th December
Please pray for success in the Granary and the Farm Shop, that we shall be able to have lost of customers, but also that we will be able to share something of the true and wonderful message of Christmas with the many people visiting.

Friday 18th December
Please pray for Jake as he plans for the horticultural project in 2010 and explores how to produce the vegetables we need here, and also the production of more plants to be sold from our small farm shop.

Thursday 17th December
Please for the Executive Committee of the Trustees as they consider ways of making up the income deficit that the Trust will be faced with next year, when Supporting People funding comes to an end. Remember also the thousands of people who will be facing severe hardship as more government cuts reduce the help available to some of the most needy of people.

Wednesday 16th December
Please remember our Housing Support Team, now named “Being There,” as they try to ‘be there’ for all of those for whom we care this Christmas time. Please especially pray for those in our care who pose high risks of self-harming or even suicide, issues which are especially serious at Christmas time.

Tuesday 15th December
Please remember the first of our Christmas parties this year, which is held at 12.00 noon today. This party is for some of some of those in care who pose a higher risk to others than most in our care.

Monday 14th December
Please pray for our chairman, David Kingdon, who is still in hospital after a fall over a week ago. He has severe pains in his leg and is unable to walk. Regrettably there has not yet been a diagnosis, so please pray that the hospital may do all that is needed to ascertain the cause of the pain.

Friday 11th December
Please pray for the Housing Support team who work in some extremely delicate situations each day. Pray that the Lord will protect and guide them in each situation and that those in their care will feel cared for and encouraged as the team support and walk alongside them.
Pray especially for:

A and D have run into great financial difficulties.

P and C are facing various charges and the prospect of going back to prison.

Two gentlemen C and J who are extremely vulnerable to abuse from people they are in contact with.

A young mum, L, who is really struggling at the moment.

A lady, M, who is extremely anxious after splitting from her violent partner.

Give thanks that G has moved into his own accommodation and is settling well, also for A who will be moving soon - pray that he may also quickly become settled in his new home.

Thursday 10th December
Please continue to pray for our Supporters who are unwell at this time and for those caring for them. Pray particularly for, Sharon, Norrie and June at this time.

Wednesday 9th December
Please pray for the teams working on each project, that all will have a good working day together with a time of fellowship. Pray that all who come to join in the projects at CFL will feel really encouraged and blessed during their time spent with us.

Tuesday 8th December
Please pray for the busy run up to Christmas. We support many people for whom for many reasons Christmas will be a very difficult time. Pray we will be able to show them something of the real meaning of what Christmas means by the love and care we give to all those entrusted into our care.

Sunday 6th December
Please pray for those who have recently come to faith at Caring For Life, that they will be able to settle into churches where they will be loved, valued and appreciated. Pray for those who will be caring for people in our residential homes today, that they will be able to have really profitable conversations with the residents who have not gone to places of worship today, as well as being able to get responses from those who have, tin order to help them grow in their faith.

Saturday 5th December
Please pray that the Christmas Craft Sales Day will be a huge success in every way today. Pray for those in our care who will be taking part in the music and the puppet theatre productions during the day.

Friday 4th December
Please pray for the success of an application which has been sent in to the government initiative called “The Hardship Fund.” It is for a grant to assist Caring For Life, as we face financial challenges resulting from loss of income attributable to the present global financial crisis. Success in this application would help us enormously as we face some major funding losses when our Supporting People contracts end in February 2010.

Thursday 3rd December
Give thanks for the many blessings we daily receive at CFL. The Lord has faithfully provided for all our needs over the years and we ask you to join us in thanks and praise to Him who gives us more than we can ever ask or imagine. Pray that even through the difficult times we are facing right now, we will be able to continue to provide the care so desperately needed by the many needy and vulnerable people who come to us for help and support, and that the light and love of Christ will shine out in all we do and say.

Tuesday 1st December
Pray for all of our staff, young people and volunteers. Pray for safety in all areas of work and for a good time of fellowship together. Give thanks for all the Lord has provided for us and for His love reflected in each other each day.

November 2009

Thursday 26th November
Please pray for the Housing Support team as they care for many needy and vulnerable people. Pray particularly for the ladies on the team who are dealing with some extremely sensitive issues. Pray the Lord will protect them and His love and light will shine into each situation.

Wednesday 25th November
Please pray for our supporters, many of God's faithful people who pray for us every day. We know of some who are facing long term illness and some are waiting for test results or surgery. Pray for them and for those who are caring for them, that they will know the Lord's peace and grace and they will draw strength, courage and comfort from Him at this time.

Tuesday 24th November
Give thanks that the Granary Café and Farm Shop are doing really well. Pray for the staff and volunteers who work in there, that they will be encouraged in their work as they meet customers both new and those who have become regulars. Pray all those who visit might capture something of CFL’s ministry and the reality of how lives are changed through the very special love and care received by all those who have been entrusted to us.

Monday 23rd November
Please pray for the Exec Team as the charity works through some very difficult times both financially and some extremely challenging situations. Pray the Lord's powerful protection over them as they work together to ensure the ministry of CFL can continue into the future.

Please continue to pray for our CEO, Peter and his family.

Wednesday 18th November
Please pray for our young people who will be attending Bible Study this evening. It's a real privilege to see them moving forward in their faith and the enthusiasm they show as they learn more about Jesus and how He is very much a part of their lives. Pray they will each be encouraged on their journey and that we will be especially sensitive to their needs.

Wednesday 11th November
We are supporting some very desperate and needy people. Pray that all the staff who are helping in many different and difficult situations will be able to bring hope and love into lives that currently seem so chaotic and difficult.

Tuesday 10th November
Pray for our Time for Jesus volunteers. We have six this year, Philip, Phillipa, Sarah, Catherine, David and Sam. Pray that they will be strengthened as they help in many areas of Caring For Life's work.

Praise God for all of all of our volunteer help. We could not manage to support as many people as we do if it was not for this faithful group of dedicated people.

Monday 9th November
Please join us in prayer for our supporters. We are so blessed to have a group of people who are really interested in our work and ministry. Pray that as they support us every day, in many different ways, that they will know Gods blessing.

We have a number of supporters who are very unwell at this time. Pray that the Lord will restore them to health, and will strengthen all those who struggling or are facing personal crisis.

Friday 6th November
Please continue to pray for our CEO, Peter who has been unwell. Peter is gradually returning to work but still needs your prayers just now and over the coming weeks. We often hear from supporters who are unwell and facing difficult and extremely challenging times. Please hold them and those who love and care for them in your prayers at this time.

Thursday 5th November
Please pray for safety on the farm as the weather has changed over the last week and the days are beginning to become darker. Pray for young people, staff and volunteers that each day will be one of fellowship, as we work together to make all who come here feel they are part of a very special and loving family.

Wednesday 4th November
Please continue to pray for our finances and that the Lord will continue to provide for our needs. Many charities have been affected by the current financial climate and are facing similar challenges to those of CFL. We do however have the prayers of many faithful people uplifting us every day and we are also in the hands of a mighty God who is with us in all things. For this we give thanks and praise and pray (as many of our young people do each day) that this work and ministry will be here for many, many more years.

Tuesday 3rd November
Please pray for the Housing Support team and all those who have been entrusted into their care. Please pray particularly for: