Pastor Nigel Woodley
Nigel is the senior pastor of the Flaxmere Christian Fellowship Church in Hastings and is on a couple of faith boards. Nigel also runs the advocacy trust For the Protection of Zion, which stands by Israel publicly in a time of world upheaval and antisemitism. He has been pastoring at the FCF since 1982 and has seen ministries flourish and diminish during this time.
Prayer points:
1. For the Fear of the Lord to come upon the Body of Christ in Hawkes Bay & Gisborne:
Isaiah 11:2 NIV
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—
Acts 9:31 NIV
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
2. For true unity to be manifest in the Body:
John 17:20-23 NIV
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— [23] I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, [2] with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, [3] endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
3. For the spirit of wisdom & revelation to be manifest in the Church:
Ephesians 1:17-19 NKJV
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, [18] the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
4. For the Church to walk in victory:
Ephesians 3:16-19 NKJV
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, [17] that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- [19] to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Romans 16:17-20 NIV
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. [19] Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. [20] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
6. Boldness for the Church of Hawkes Bay & Gisborne to stand with Israel:
Romans 11:25-29 NIV
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, [26] and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.
Genesis 12:3 NIV
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”