Praying through change – Part 2

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11 

This verse came up at our team meeting this week when we were praying and asking God for direction in readiness for the Feedback Forum taking place that evening. Several churches across Swindon gathered in one room to discuss the needs and wants of churches but also those needs of the young people in Swindon who are not linked to any churches.  

We at SYFC are heading into quite a large period of change, our director is stepping down in a weeks’ time, and we are starting the research and consultation phase again with regards to our strategy and how we work in partnership with churches and other organisations to “take the good news relevantly to every young person in Swindon”.  

This phase in our SYFC journey is jam packed full of a whole range of emotions, from sadness and loss of our director and friend; of gratitude for all that he has done and for his heart; for understanding of his desire to spend quality time with his daughter while he still can; confusion over what the next few months holds in the organisation as we navigate no director and in the right time the new director with their vision for the work. We are excited for the future and what partnership means for the young people of Swindon moving forward and what each one of us can bring to the table.  

But during all this, there is still the unknown. And that can be a scary place to be, especially for people like me who love a good plan and a structure. We are saying, “God, this is yours, this is a season for change, do with it what you will.” And yet, being utterly terrified of the letting go that needs to take place for that to happen.  

This Bible verse could not have come at a better time! It’s funny how God does that isn’t it? We were reminded that he has a plan, that although everything feels a little cloudy just now, God sees it clearly and he knows where we are going – what our future holds – and those plans are good plans. That is the part of this verse I am keeping my hand tightly gripped around – plans to prosper you, not to harm you. And as I have my hand tightly gripped around it, I can’t wait to see it unfold before me.  

Let’s Pray 

• For Dave in his final week as the Director of Swindon Youth for Christ 
• For wisdom for Dave’s next part of his journey as he navigates the new normal 

• For the trustees as they make decisions about the director role 
• For the team – For Kirsten, Jen, Chris, Kirsty, and myself as we navigate a new normal in the interim 

Written by Naomi Ackland, Office Coordinator for Swindon Youth for Christ.