Bishop Eleanor’s Psalm 23 tour blesses many

Bishop Eleanor addresses the gathering at St Matthew’s Church in Masterton, on the 2nd of December 2020.

Over the last few weeks, Bishop Ellie has been travelling the length and breadth of the Diocese sharing the stories God has placed on her heart during her long period of illness and slow recovery during 2020.

Hundreds of people have now heard of God’s heart for each one of us to grow in deeper intimacy with Jesus. 

Based around Psalm 23, Bishop Ellie has been sharing some of her journey of suffering, and local teams have organised hospitality, anointing and prayer ministry, many of whom have been praying together before the event to discern words of knowledge for those who come along.

In the first Wellington event, Stephen Sharp of our Karori whānau was on the prayer team gathered by the Wellington Cluster. For Stephen, this was part of a journey of stepping out in faith around praying prophetically, and followed training given through Cath Livesey and the Good Soil Collective in 2018. At the Psalm 23 event Stephen was able to share beautiful pictures of encouragement for people. Having never felt like this kind of prayer was “his gig,” he felt that being part of the team was proof that “God can use anyone!”

Duncan Brown, from our South Wairarapa whānau, attended the event in Masterton in early December. After an extended period of health challenges, he told us that Psalm 23 had been a rock to hold on to. “Bishop Ellie explained that in this Psalm, the main point came in the centre of the text, with supporting points mirroring each other on either side. In the centre of Psalm 23 is the valley of the shadow of death - where I have spent the last year and a half,” Duncan said, “but God's awesome love, protection and provision surround the valley so that difficulties pale in comparison to His tenderness and mercy. I felt God speak to me clearly, and the worries I had about the future melted away as I felt encompassed in His loving fold once more."

The final event will be held this Wednesday 9th December, at All Saints’ Hataitai, 90 Hamilton Road, beginning at 7pm. Please be encouraged to come along, and to prayerfully consider bringing a friend who may be seeking answers to deep questions, or exploring faith.

By Rebecca Apperley