Vision Sunday

This is our Sunday teaching from Senior Pastor, Tom Thompson. Recorded live at our service in Harris Academy Purley, Croydon on Sunday 7th September, 2025. Below you can find the full talk audio, and a summary article.

Want to lead a Connect Group session on this teaching? The notes are here!

Doors Opening in Heaven

September always feels like a fresh start, and this Sunday’s message reminded us that God longs to open new doors in our lives through prayer.

Tom began with a striking picture. Driving home, he watched a car door suddenly swing wide open. It jolted him—and immediately connected with what he had been reading that morning in Luke 3. At Jesus’ baptism, “as he was praying, heaven was opened.” It was as if a door in heaven itself swung wide, releasing the Spirit and the Father’s voice of love.

That moment was unique in history, but the pattern repeats: prayer opens doors. At Pentecost, 120 ordinary disciples simply prayed, and the Spirit fell. Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison, and prison doors literally opened. Time and again, God responds to the prayers of His people, releasing something fresh from heaven into earth.

Tom reminded us this isn’t about formula or perfect words. It’s about a heart that simply says, “God, would you help?” He shared a recent story of a family in our church who prayed in desperation during a business crisis. Within hours, a remarkable new opportunity appeared—an answer that felt nothing short of miraculous.

Often, it’s in the undignified or messy places—when life feels clumsy, even embarrassing—that God chooses to hear and act. Just as Jesus prayed while dripping wet in the Jordan, we too can offer simple, honest prayers that unlock heaven.

This conviction shapes our vision for the coming season. Over the next two weeks we’ll enter a churchwide time of prayer—Contending for Awakening—with opportunities to pray daily, including 7am Zoom gatherings. It’s not about being a “prayer ninja”; it’s about each of us adding a little more prayer into our daily rhythm.

We’re also looking outward. Our mission field is Croydon. We are a sent people, here to proclaim and demonstrate God’s kingdom in workplaces, homes, schools, and streets. That’s why we’re excited to host a borough-wide carol service at Boxpark on 14 December—a bold opportunity to welcome hundreds to hear the good news of Jesus.

God is calling us to pray, to be outward-looking, and to step into this next season with faith. Let’s be people who open doors through prayer, and trust Him to release His presence, power, and kingdom in Croydon.