Streams in the Desert and the fight against Desertification

We met on Wednesday 19th August to Learn, Share and Pray together.

Learn - Streams in the Desert

We read Isaiah 35 together, which begins:

"The desert and the parched land will be glad;

    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;

    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

they will see the glory of the Lord,

    the splendour of our God"

We talked about how we approach the prophetic parts of the Bible (expect poetical imagery that is talking about God's plans for the future) and asked:

1. What is this chapter giving us a picture of?
2. What, then, should we do?

You can see our notes below; apologies that these are less colourful and readable than normal, our normal pack of pens was accidentally left at home.

We agreed that the chapter is a picture of God's blessing of his people:

• Healing for infirmities and sicknesses.
• Flourishing and fruitfulness for the land; dry and barren places became fertile ("streams in the desert")
• Judgement on their oppressors and salvation for God's people.

How does this chapter speak to us today?

1. It tells us that It will all End Well.
2. Water, growth and fertility are not insignificant: they are Good Things to be enjoyed and promoted.
3. Wait for God's salvation... but also Act to bring it about in the world now.

Share - Clean air in London and Bradford

We shared some good news, local and national:

• We are cautiously optimistic that Bradford's clean air zone will continue to exist (which has reduced GP appointments for breathing difficulties by nearly 600 a month since it was introduced).
• A study published today showed great improvements in the lung capacity of children living within London's clean air zone.
• Bradford Council's monthly climate action newsletter has restarted (renamed to "Sustainable Futures" newsletter, you can sign up here), and this month is publicising showings of the National Emergency Briefing in the area.

Pray - Restoring Land, Restoring Hope

We prayed for:

1. PEACE in Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, Congo, Lebanon and Iran.
   
   
2. The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be hosted by Mongolia in its capital city, Ulaanbaatar, from 17 to 28 August 2026 under the theme “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope”. Pray that they succeed in their aim to:
• “forge solutions to the interconnected challenges of desertification, land degradation and drought, recognizing that restoring land is also essential to reducing instability, preventing displacement and strengthening human and national security in vulnerable regions”
  
  We also know of a couple who work in Ulaanbaatar to translate the Bible and share the gospel with the people of Mongolia, and we prayed for their work too.
  
  
3. The UK government has announced plans to require importers to ensure that their products are not causing illegal deforestation.
• Praise God that this is supported by major supermarkets (last July they wrote to government asking for this legislation).
• Praise God that similar EU laws come into effect later this year.
• Pray that the UK laws will happen on time (2027) and be effective.
  
  
4. In Bradford, pray for people to go to showings of the National Emergency Briefing (and thank God that Bradford Council is helping publicise them):
• The Ridge Medical Practice, 20th August (for staff).
• Keighley, Civic Centre 29 August
• Bingley, All Saints Church 1 September
• Cottingley, St Michaels & All Angels 10 September
• Clayton, Methodist Church 20 September
• Heaton, St Barnabas Church 25 September
• Bradford, City Hall 30 September
• Haworth, Parish Church 03 October
• Fountains Church, 11th October (TBC)
• Undercliffe, Community Works 23 October.
  
  
5. Pray for the comfort and help of people affected by recent climate-affected disasters:
• Wildfires in Spain (made 20 times more likely by climate change)
• Wildfires in the Gironde region of France (at least twice as likely)
• Torrential rain and floods in Afghanistan which have killed 31.
• Typhoons and floods in China which have killed 21 people and required 890,000 to be evacuated.

Please continue to engage in prayer battle for all these needs 🙏🌍💚 

We will meet again on Wednesday 16th September at 7:30pm, at Shipley Baptist Church, please use this Facebook event to share the details.