Dear Friends and Intercessors, 

I woke up this morning with an amazing dream. Gladys and I were somewhere at a conference about revival and prayer for revival. Somebody was talking up at the front about an experience where they had been in a place, and the presence of the Lord began to touch a couple of people. You could tell they were having profound encounters, and he said that there came a point when everybody just knew that God was there. 

At that very moment, I woke up from my dream, and I just lay there enjoying the experience—it was as if I was still in the dream, and the presence of the Lord was so wonderful. Then I began to reflect on that and remember other times where we've experienced God's visitations. Then the Lord brought to mind the description in 1 Kings 8:9-11 when Solomon dedicates the temple and how they bring the ark into the temple. Verse 9 says, "There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. And it happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord."

This is such an amazing and captivating theme. In our day, we hear of the people of God experiencing His glory and their lives being changed forever. That phrase that says "...when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud..." could have knocked me over. But there I was flat on my back, caught up in a beautiful reverie of this dream, and just recalling the things that God has done over the years for and in ourselves and countless others. I was overwhelmed with a glorious joy.

Then it dawned on me that this theme has been the essence and goal of our prayer for all these decades. What I mean is that since I came to the Lord in the 70s, and was adopted into the incredible family of Christ, we've desired for God to pour Himself out in revival power and glory so millions more can come to know Him and His saving grace and fullness of joy. Psalm 26:8 says, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells."

Later on in my daily readings, I was stopped by this portion that describes this heartbreaking antithesis in 2 Kings 17:15. "They rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, and His warnings which He gave them. And they followed idols and became empty, and followed the nations that surrounded them, about which the LORD had commanded them not to do as they did." This sounds like the plague that besets the world around us today. It seems to be unravelling right before our eyes! People are empty because they are destitute of the knowledge of God, His ways, and His redeeming love. "...strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:12. 

Paul goes on to proclaim this triumphant hope in Ephesians 2:19-22. "So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."

We want to encourage you to continue seeking His face. We are called to serious prayer for serious times. May our hearts yearn for his glory to be manifested to those within the church, and even more so, those who are waiting for deliverance, whether they know it yet or not.

Prayerfully,

Dick and Gladys

Dear Praying Saints,

The world of nature seems to signal the times we are living in. The last couple of months have been much drier than usual, so much so that the colors of many trees began to change back in August, and other normally green plants had shriveling leaves well before their time. These changes that we're watching around us seem to be reflecting the many things going on in the world of men as well.

To name a few things floating around on the airwaves... France's newly appointed government all but collapsed with the resignation of it's prime minister; insecurity continues in the Pacific with China vs. Hong Kong, U.S trade relations, etc. Add to that the ongoing struggle between Russia and Ukraine; Venezuela's current regime is unsustainable; contortions of economic alliances; and on and on.

Perhaps the most significant in many ways is what is happening with the Israel-Hamas/Gaza conflict. The release of the remaining living hostages last Monday was a huge breakthrough, but the horror of what has followed is heart-breaking.

This scene from the "wailing wall" in old Jerusalem on Yom Kippur this year is particularly striking. in recent years attendance to High Holy Days has been on the increase. The adverse conditions have awakened many to the need for God's help to sustain their nation. But this time around has broken records — the highest numbers in decades, with some reports reaching the hundreds of thousands.

In our increasingly unstable world, the human longing for meaning and significance is coming more and more to the forefront. The continuing growth of revival among young people and old presents growing evidence that something transcendant is afoot as people turn as turning to Christ throughout the nations, including Muslem nations. This description in Daniel 7:14 of Jesus' arrival in heaven puts our eternity into proper focus. "And to Him [the son of man] was given dominion, honor, and a kingdom, so that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed."

I recently watched a great interview with John Lennox, a retired Oxford professor of mathematics, philosopher of science and Christian apologist. It is titled, "Finishing Well", and I'd highly recommend investing 20 minutes of your time to watch it. I seen it two times and found a great encouragement and exhortation. You can watch it at this link.

In the words of the Apostle Paul from 2 Thessalonians 2:16, "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word."

Dick & Gladys

Dear Friends of Wales Awakening,

Reading Psalm 61 Monday morning, I found myself swept up into a glorious cloud of recollection of God's unfailing mercies. Verse 1 says, "Hear my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry unto Thee when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." It was like King David was telling my story all over again!

52 years ago, nearly to the day, I was on the rocky coast of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State camped out with some friends. I was desperately seeking for God at the time. And alone on the beach that first night, I literally cried out because my heart was indeed overwhelmed—I cried out to God, and He heard me. Then about eight days later on the 23rd of September, I got radically saved at the Lord's Land near Mendocino, California.
Verse 3 continues, "For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tent forever. I will trust in the covert of thy wings."

Reflecting over the last 52 years, together with Gladys now for more than 47 years, and all the incredible adventures on which God has kept us and and covered us with his grace and protection, we have continually experienced God's amazing faithfulness, His being a shelter for us and a strong tower from the enemy.

Last week we returned home after a wonderful week away in North Wales. It was an especially precious time because we hadn't had a vacation since June last year when we visited family in the U.S. We know the area quite well because we've traveled countless times to prayer-related events over the years. This time, however, we only had plans to relax and enjoy exploring the area around Snowdonia. We saw such beauty everywhere it was pure joy.

We did manage a couple of meals with dear old friends, but the Lord had control of the rest of our wanderings. We had many wonderful encounters and conversations with people in unexpected places, and just had to marvel at how He ordered our steps and timings. One particularly memorable event was meeting a young couple on a once intensely mined slate mountain high above the Lakes Padarn and Peris across from Llanberis, near where we stayed. Gladys struck up a conversation with a young cross-cultural couple, he from Tasmania and she from Rumania. After hearing of  their failure to have a family, we wound up praying for the Lord to give them a child, along with tears and embraces. Please help us pray for N. and L.

Another special highlight was my late birthday gift from Gladys. We rode the narrow gauge steam railway from Caernarfon to Beddgelert and back through amazing mountain and woodland scenery. We opted the first class Pullman Coach, and what a treat. As you can see in the photo, the woodwork was elegant and the furnishings very posh. And across the aisle from us was a French-speaking couple from Quebec with whom we enjoyed lots of laughs, using Spanish, English, and French in 3-way translations to add to the humor. People frequently assume we are here on holiday, and so are curious about what brought us to Wales when they learn that we live here permanently.

Because of this we always have open doors to share the Good News of Jesus. And so we try to make the most of each opportunity as we are encouraged to do in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense [explanation] to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." For all of us as believers, it is our privilege and joy to share our faith with as many as we can. We never know what reaction we may encounter, but the Lord has His ways of directing our steps and words.

We barely had time to catch our breath after coming home before another joyful aventure began. This threesome of amazing intercessors had been on a prayer assignment to the Isle of Lewis, the well-known site of the Scottish Hebrides revival, and several other key places for prayer. Their last stop was West Wales, and we had the privilege of taking them to the chapel in Blaenannerch and then sharing sweet fellowship at our home. Once again the Lord was far ahead of us and gave us an exceptional time together.

We want to encourage you to press hard into the plans that God has for each one of us. We all have an important part to play as we see the ugly fruit of godlessness in the world around us. And may we always remember and boldly proclaim that God is a strong tower for all that run to him. So our prayer is today that thousands would run to him and be saved.

Dick & Gladys

P.S. Just a reminder of my 3-minute podcast Welsh Morning Moments available at: dfunnell.podbean.com.

Dear Friends and Praying Saints,

Just over three weeks ago, there was an amazing gathering Anaheim, California. The following is a press release from Harvest.org.

"Pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie’s annual Harvest Crusade concluded this past Saturday, July 19, with a capacity crowd of over 45,000 at Angel Stadium. With an additional 200,000 online viewers, the one-night event also saw more than 6,500 people make professions of faith, marking one of the most powerful responses in its 35-year history. This marks the second consecutive year the stadium has been packed out for the event.

"'It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, or if you’re rich or you’re poor,' Laurie told those in attendance. 'Your life feels like one long scroll, and no matter how far you swipe, you’re still empty inside. What you’re looking for isn’t found on a screen or an AI voice. It’s found in a living God who has a plan and a purpose for your life tonight.'"

They are planning a large baptism at Pirate Cove as they did last year this coming Saturday. It will surely be a glorious and life-changing event for the thousands who will take the step into the waters of the Pacific Ocean!

The wonderfully encouraging part is that this was just one event in one place. Whatever we are aware of is just a drop in the bucket compared with all that's going on around the globe by God's grace. In spite of difficult circumstances and heartbreaking needs almost everywhere we look, He is building His eternal kingdom. 

And the beat goes on... In my July email, I mentioned that there had been a large gathering in London on July 4th, when "more than 2,000 people—most of them young adults—packed into Saint Church's Hackney location for an all-night prayer and worship gathering." 

Again, this was not an isolated event. That is made evident by a front page from one of the largest British newspapers two weeks ago.  As society becomes more secular, many young people are beginning to search for something deeper and more meaningful. They're starting to see that the promises of modern culture — success, status, and self-gratification — often leave them feeling empty. Gen Z and older alike are seeking something lasting and true. Sounds so familiar—almost a re-run of what happened to many of us in the '60s and '70s. The prospering post-WWII world just didn't have what we "baby-boomers" were searching for... until we found Jesus, or better said, He found us!

During the summer holidays here in the UK, there are lots of activities for kids out of school. Many summer camps are organised by churches and inter-church ministries where kids can have an immersion experience in Bible study and teaching, worship, prayer and just plain fun. The 24/7 fellowship is such an important element of these experiences, and  there is always good and lasting fruit as a result. Our local Mt Zion Baptist Church participates in one of these camps and many lives are changed forever. And again... this was just one of many, many more events for school-aged and young adults as well—family camps, Christian worship festivals, etc.

We had the privilege of being in the prayer team for a large group of kids, mostly in the 13-18 year-old range. Firestarters brought 80 young people from Scotland and 40 from Wales to Swansea for 8 days of teaching, fellowship, and evangelism on the streets. 

As I said, there is far more happening than meets the eye, but as we share with others, we just keep hearing more good news. On Sunday we went to the Bible College of Wales for the Sunday meeting where we met a group of about 30 who came mostly from the USA for a week of praying and visiting important revival places, etc. Each one had stories we would have loved to have had opportunity to hear! 

Our old friend Jeff Roberts shared an excellent message from Ephesians 3:17-20 about being "...rooted and grounded." I love how verse 18 says, "[that you] may be able to comprehend together with all the saints..." Through the eyes and ears of so many we are enabled to take in more and more of what the Lord is doing through His love for a lost world.

One morning in early June I noticed a beautiful young goldfinch fluttering desperately trying to free itself from our bird feeder. Somehow one of its feet had slid down and gotten jammed between the steel bars that spread out to each side. It was totally trapped and would have died without my help.

What a picture of our human situation. Unless God reaches down and helps us, we are dying and lost in sin, having no hope without God in this world. Jesus said in John 6:44, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."

This is the sure hope that empowers our prayers for revival and God's intervention in our world today.

Dick & Gladys