The Lord is doing something new, and we are beginning to see it. For us (a small ecumenical group of pilgrims scattered across these islands) this emerged from the Newman Consultation where leaders from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales met to discern the way forward for CCR. One of the fruits was a prophetic pilgrimage to Assisi, where the call to rebuild the Church was heard anew in San Damiano (see Goodnews No.194, March/April 2008).

A year after Assisi, the same pilgrims met up again in St David’s in Wales, in September, to reflect more upon its meaning.

We spent a weekend at St Non’s Retreat House, where we were joined by Frances Graham, Chair of the NST in Wales, and Fr Pat Collins, who had given the prophecy about Assisi. He was influential in our choosing to meet in an ancient place of Christian pilgrimage.

RECONNECT WITH OUR ANCIENT CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

One of the suggestions that came from the weekend was that walks and events should be held at sites of ancient pilgrimage in the UK. Places suggested were: St David’s, Glendalough, Lindisfarne, Iona, Whithorn, Canterbury and Holywell. We sense the Holy Spirit prompting us and it fits with requests from Popes John Paul II and Benedict to reconnect with our ancient Christian heritage in ways that are modern. These ancient sites are especially suited to ecumenical endeavours, and walking pilgrimages are attractive to young people and also to people who find churches intimidating. Reconciliation and unity is a necessary part, and a strong element of cross-border participation is important.

SECOND MOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Fr Pat shared his anticipation about a new move of the Holy Spirit. This sense of something starting seems to be spreading, and we noted that the Holy Spirit was present in great power at this year’s various conferences - it was like a return to the early “glory days”. God frequently moves in two outpourings; one for preparation, and one for implementation - for example the outpourings of Acts 2:1-4 and Acts 4:31. This example is particularly instructive. On the second occasion the apostles prayed, not for a new Pentecost, but for help against threats and for power to proclaim the Word boldly. Perhaps the prophecy to rebuild the Church is a part of a second move of the Holy Spirit. How God will do this we cannot say. It might be through a move like the early days in CCR or it might be through a collapse of some of our western security and comforts. We don’t know, but we are called to action, now.

“You see what a sorry state we are in: Jerusalem is in ruins and its gates have been burnt down. Come on, we must rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,” (Neh 2:17)

FAMILIES WORKING TOGETHER TO REBUILD THE DOMESTIC CHURCH

In Assisi the defining reading had been Nehemiah 2:1-8, in which the king sends Nehemiah to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem. In looking for inspiration for our own way forward we read further to see how Nehemiah went about it and concentrated on chapter 2:11-20 and all of chapter 4. This gives a detailed account which, if we interpret in spiritual terms, applies to today’s situation and gives us a plan for action. Nehemiah arranged for families to work together and our first concern, then, is to rebuild the domestic Church. The documents of Vatican II describe the family as the “domestic Church”.

We can do this by praying with and for each other. But the Christian family is not exclusive, it is inclusive. We also think in terms of parish families, denominational families, national families and, ultimately, God’s family. We all work to rebuild the wall, which is the Church - people not buildings. We are living stones, some big ones and some little pebbles, all are needed.

PRAYER OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE NEEDED

In Nehemiah’s time everyone was working - including the children - and they used whatever stones they could find. Our work is scattered and we need to come together frequently to help each other. The nations bordering Jerusalem fought and conspired against the rebuilding and we can expect the devil to oppose our work as well. Nehemiah committed more and more resources to guarding the wall. Eventually he had half his men on guard and those building also carried swords. So we need to devote considerable resources to praying, and the prayer is primarily one of spiritual warfare - identifying attacks and interceding in prayer. In this battle we pray to God and He defeats the enemy - “nestle don’t wrestle”. And always remember, when engaging in spiritual warfare, that our enemies are spirits of evil and not people (Eph 6:12). We need as many intercessors as there are active members, and the active must be ready with the sword - which is the Word of God.

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the labourers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” (4:10)

NEED TO THROW AWAY THE RUBBISH IN OUR LIVES

Prophetic words and pictures from early in the weekend focused our attention on this statement by the people of Judah. There is a great deal of rubble - rubbish, hampering our rebuilding of Jesus’ Church. Things of the world hinder us and sap our strength: material possessions, status, money, fashion, ungodly or excessive entertainments. The enemy is very near and hides behind and within the rubble, from where he mounts attack. If we are engaged in this work we need to throw the “rubbish” away and put Jesus first in our lives.

Fiona Hendy coordinates a “Network of Intercessors” which was set up to pray for the Newman Consultation. and continues to pray for the Renewal and the Church. On returning home from St Non’s, Frances Graham opened a letter from Fiona to the network which began by saying that the Lord had given them, in prayer; the Book of Nehemiah, verses from Lamentations (2:18-19) which describe the people at the wall of Jerusalem, crying out to God in prayer, and a picture of intercessors throughout the country forming a wall of protection for the rebuilding of the Church.

This is remarkable confirmation of our discernment at St Non’s, and how interesting it is that it comes through another group which is also a fruit of the Newman Consultation. I can only think that “the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). God is calling us to rebuild His Church. On returning from Assisi our discernment and conclusions were tentative. A year later they are confident and urgent. God is calling everyone who is listening to rebuild, to intercede and to evangelise with great boldness.

See page 33 for “Prophecies from 1975 International Meeting in Rome"