Kerith Bracknell Blog
Friday Prayer Theme & Half Night of Prayer
Join us for a powerful time of prayer and reflection as we wrap up our week of prayer and fasting with a special Half Night of Prayer on January 31st. We'll focus on being still in God's presence, inspired by the story of Mary sitting at Jesus' feet. Come and breathe in His presence, asking for His guidance and yielding to His will. Whether you join us for one hour or stay until midnight, we invite you to pray with the Kerith Bracknell community.
Support the Bracknell Climate Change Strategy (and get paid!)
Join the Net Zero Strategy Room—an immersive experience where you can have your say on tackling climate change! 🌍
Kerith Bracknell is hosting Bracknell Council’s Climate Change Team for two events next week:
📅 Tuesday, 2-4pm | 📅 Thursday, 10-12pm (K2)
There are limited spaces left, and participants will be paid for their time!
Be part of the change. Sign up now and help shape a better future.
Thursday Prayer Theme: Breathing Out (pt2)
Today’s focus is on "Breathing Out"—being a faithful presence in the world. Philippians 2:14-16 calls us to be a "breath of fresh air" in a polluted society, carrying God’s light into every space we enter.
Following the P.R.A.Y. framework, take a moment to pause and breathe deeply, thank God for the encouragers in your life, ask for opportunities to bring His presence into difficult spaces, and yield to His call to "shine like stars" in the world.
Action step: Read about the work of Tearfund and be inspired by how Christians around the world are shining for Jesus!
Wednesday Prayer Theme: Breathing Out (pt1)
Today, we shift from "Breathing In" to "Breathing Out"—living out God’s presence in our families, workplaces, and communities. Matthew 5:13-16 reminds us that we are called to be salt and light in the world, bringing out the "God-flavors" and "God-colors" around us.
Following the P.R.A.Y. framework (Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield), reflect on where you've been salt and light this week, thank God for your salvation, ask for opportunities to share His love, and yield to His purpose for you.
Action step: Explore the Isaiah61 app and challenge yourself to intentionally help others move closer to Jesus.
Tuesday Prayer Theme: Breathing In (pt2)
Today, as we continue "Breathing In" God's Presence, we focus on experiencing Him deeply within our church community—in small groups, Sunday gatherings, youth ministries, and beyond. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Do not fear, for I am with you.”
Following the P.R.A.Y. framework (Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield), take time to quiet your heart, thank God for His Presence in our church, ask for greater awareness of His Spirit, and yield to His work in us and through us.
Action step: Encourage someone in your church community today—send a message, share a verse, or pray for them!
Monday Prayer Theme: Breathing In (pt1)
Today, we begin our week of prayer and fasting by “Breathing In”—seeking to encounter God’s Presence personally and as a church community. As Exodus 33:14 reminds us, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Following the P.R.A.Y. framework (Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield), take time to quiet your heart, rejoice in God’s Presence, ask for more of Him in your life, and yield to His transforming work.
Action step: Set reminders throughout your day to pause, breathe deeply, and rest in His Presence.
Preparing for our prayer and fasting week…
From Monday 27th to Friday 31st January, we’ll be setting aside time to ‘Breathe In’ God’s Presence and ‘Breathe Out’ His love into the world. Through prayer and intentional living, we seek to encounter God deeply, see lives transformed, and pursue His justice in our communities.
This week, we also encourage you to consider fasting—whether it’s a meal, social media, or another sacrifice—as a way to draw closer to God. Not sure where to start? Check out our 24-7 Prayer resources, daily blogs, and guided prayer sessions to help you stay engaged.
Join us in seeking God in a fresh way—let’s expect transformation!
Practising the Presence of God..
What a powerful start to the year! As we journey deeper into God's heart, we’re embracing new ways to stay constant in His presence. Last Sunday, our Kerith Bracknell panel—Jenny, Karin, Paul, Mark & Paula—shared inspiring ways to refresh our devotional time.
Looking for resources to help? Here are some great FREE devotional apps to support your spiritual growth, from Bible reading plans to prayer journaling and guided devotionals.
Missed the discussion? Listen to the panel podcast now and check out our Vision Night LIVE on YouTube for more insights from our Central Leads and Simon Benham.
Let’s continue seeking God’s presence together!
Curious about faith?
Are you curious about faith, life’s big questions, and what it all means? If you’re looking for a space to explore these topics openly and without pressure, the Alpha Course is for you!
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions where you can ask anything, share your thoughts, and engage in meaningful discussions—all in a welcoming and relaxed environment. Each session includes refreshments, a short talk, and open conversations about topics like Who is Jesus? and Is there more to life than this?
Our next Alpha Course starts Wednesday, 29th January 2025, at Kerith Bracknell. Come and explore faith with us—no pressure, just honest conversation.
Sign up today and take the first step on your journey of discovery!
Making Room for Jesus in 2025
As we step into 2025, the pace of life remains relentless, with distractions pulling us in every direction. Like the biblical Martha, we often find ourselves busy with good things but at the expense of the best thing—time in God's presence. How do we balance the demands of life with a disciplined, meaningful pursuit of spiritual growth?
Looking to the wisdom of the early monastics, this message explores The Royal Way—a balanced path that avoids extremes of overzealousness and neglect in our faith. Inspired by the life of Antony of Egypt, we'll discover how spiritual disciplines like prayer, solitude, and Scripture meditation can deepen our relationship with God.
Join us this Sunday as members of the Kerith Bracknell community share their experiences of walking The Royal Way in everyday life!
Sing carols in town with us on Thursday 12th December
The Lexicon have invited the Bracknell Churches back to sing carols together by the Christmas tree in the middle of the Lexicon shopping Centre, to sing carols and invite people to many of the carols services at the Bracknell Churches by giving out leaflets on Thursday 12th December.
Please, we still need your help to spread the JOY this Christmas Season
We still need help in bringing Christmas JOY to our events over this season. Can you take up a serving opportunity?
Join us in bringing JOY to Christmas…. 🎄 👼🏻🎁
Part of our DNA at Kerith Community Church is to craft events and moments where people can experience the presence of God in the midst of the Christmas season. To do this well we need all of us to play our part- it’s a great way to make new friends at Kerith and bless those coming through the doors for the first time.
Sunday: Sabbath rest, healing and health
Let’s P.R.A.Y.
P: Pause. Yes, pause. That’s what Sabbath entails: for us to Stop, Rest, Delight and Worship. Let’s take time to be still, breathe slowly and re-centre our scattered senses upon the presence of God.
R: Rejoice. Thank God for His example from the Creation story that gives us the instruction and permission to rest from our labour on a weekly schedule.
A: Ask. Pray for and actively seek the rejuvenation that comes through regularly scheduled rest. Pray for healing and health. Once a foreign non-Jewish woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter. When Jesus responded in such a way that would have made others feel degraded, the woman looked beyond her pride and answered with wisdom and faith, resulting in Jesus commending her and granting her request in a phenomenal way (Matt 15:21-28). Her testimony still speaks to us today. Let’s ask again, even if it feels like it’s the hundredth time, where we need a miracle of healing for ourselves, a loved one or someone else who comes to mind. Let’s ask Jehovah- Rapha, the Lord our healer, for rest, breakthrough, freedom, healing, health and complete shalom-wellbeing — whether He chooses to use the gift of medicine and surgery, or solely brings it about through His outstanding miraculous power.
Y: Yield. Let’s find rest in Jesus. Place trust and faith in Him to hear and answer.
Saturday: Personal spiritual growth, renewal, emotionally healthy spirituality, family and home situations
Let’s P.R.A.Y.
P: Pause. Breathe in Breathe out slowly. How are you feeling today? Notice your emotions, don’t rush away but give them to God - Read Psalm 139 and meditate on the words.
R: Rejoice.
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
A: Ask. Spiritual formation starts with a desire to move closer to Jesus, ask God today for a renewal of expectancy and hunger for His Word and a deeper love for those around you.
Y: Yield. What do you need to clear out of your life to allow God space to move?
Friday: Christmas, the opportunities for evangelism and impact
Let’s P.R.A.Y.
P: Pause. How do I feel about Christmas? Is the idea stressing me out or bringing me joy? Talk to God about how you feel.
R: Rejoice. Give thanks that someone explained the Gospel to you, Who were they? Thank God for them!
A: Ask. Think about who you'd like to invite to our Christmas events, ask Jesus for opportunities to chat with them over the coming weeks. Pray for the teams planning Christmas and ask God to guide you to what your involvement could be this year.
Y: Yield. Give God any anxiety or fear around inviting others to join with you at Kerith this Christmas.
Thursday: Our local Church, ministries, small groups, finance, creating space for healthy growth and friendships
Let’s P.R.A.Y.
P: Pause. Today we are praying for Kerith Community Church, focusing on our site here in Bracknell. What words/feelings come to mind when you think through your involvement in church life. Bring them to Jesus today.
R: Rejoice. Thank God for his master plan that the ‘church is the hope of the world’, and that you are part of that plan today. Who do you want to thank God for this morning with our community- why don’t you send them a message of gratitude.
A: Ask. Lets pray for God to accomplish his plans through Kerith in this season – pray for resources to do all He has for us, both people and finance. Pray for our spiritual temperature, that we would be passionate about the Gospel and creating space for healthy growth in our community.
Y: Yield. What is it that God is saying to you today about playing your part in God’s plan for the salvation of the world- through the local church!
Wednesday: Our local community, Bracknell town, schools, health & wealth
9 Oct, 2024
Let’s P.R.A.Y.
P: Pause. What are the local council services near you? Take a moment today to think back to the times you have accessed them , the schools, the hospitals, the tip, the library etc
R: Rejoice. Thank God for the moments when they have been a blessing to you- thank God for the staff teams- can you name any?
A: Ask. Right now local government departments are waiting for more cuts, lets pray for the decision makers that they will make wise choices, that money will be released to support the most vunerable. That as a church community we would be engaged in our local community, acknowledging the needs around us and stepping in to be a blessing.
Y: Yield. Where there is injustice in our local systems lets choose today not to grumble but to bring light and hope and support sustainable solutions. What is God giving you ‘holy discontent’ about? Yield to your part in the solution!
Get Ready for the Big Fat Quiz 2024!
Following the success of last year’s event, our Annual BIG FAT QUIZ 2024 is back!
Tuesday: Our nation, it’s politics & social justice
Let’s P.R.A.Y.
P: Pause. Take a moment to quietly consider what’s going on currently in the nation (for instance, increased energy costs), how it affects you personally, as well as others that you may or may not know. Think about the emotions stirred in you because of this and bring it all to Jesus’ feet.
R: Rejoice. Thank God for our leaders and the systems that have been put in place for our common good.
A: Ask. Pray for wisdom for our leaders and each of us, to make a stand for what is right and to act justly towards everyone within our spheres of influence.
Y: Yield. Trust the Father to hear us as we pray.