PrayerConnect (May to August 2020)

PRAYERconnect May 2020 to August 2020

A prayer letter of the Methodist Missions Society ď Ž Not for circulation ď Ž For Mission Partners and Volunteers only

My help comes from the Lord.

Psalm 121:2 (ESV)

dear prayer partners

Where Does My Help Come from?

The Psalmist in Chapter 121 raised a rhetorical question: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” (v 1) Then he declared, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” (v 2-3) O what a glorious statement of faith that is so much needed as we face challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. All over the world, millions have been affected directly or indirectly as the virus sweeps across the nations. The negative consequences that the virus has created within a relatively short time of less than six months is unprecedented!

Let’s pause to pray for those who are suffering, especially those who are living in fear and in dire need of resources and support in dealing with the crisis. While there are cases reported in our mission fields, may our missionaries [Praise God all are well] be strengthened in every way as they continue to be channels of blessings and pillars of support to the people whom they are serving.

I hope that our PrayerConnect will continue to serve as a useful resource for your information [key happenings in our fields], inspiration [lessons on what the Lord is doing among us], and intercession [praying for the missionaries, staff, and loved ones].

May we declare with one voice and heart: “Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

“I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear.

Whenever I feel fearful emotions overtaking me, I just close my eyes and thank God that He is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over the affairs of my life.” ~ John Wesley

Rev Derrick Lau Executive Director Methodist Missions Society Cover photo showing the children praying at The Third Place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise stated.

3. Pray for all the MISSIONARIES as they deal with the COVID-19 situation. May God guide and protect them, and grant them good health, good teamwork, and unity in spirit.

ONDAY

2. Pray for wisdom and open doors as Benjamin, Country Director of Cambodia, leads the MMS team through this challenging period.

4. Pray for Cambodia as the nation handles COVID-19 situation. Pray for wisdom as the GOVERNMENT AND LEADERS make important decisions and give directives for the people. Pray for calmness and confidence. Pray for more opportunities for God’s peace and His Word to be shared in such a time as this.

5. Pray for wisdom as the School Board considers the next steps because the METHODIST SCHOOL OF CAMBODIA building is in a dire need of upgrading.

They are considering options to renovate, rebuilding the exsiting school, or sell the current property to buy another land and build a new school. Pray for the Task Force as it conducts a feasibility study and makes its recommendations to the School Board by year end.

CAMBODIA

1. Pray for Wee Teck, Principal of the METHODIST SCHOOL OF CAMBODIA, as all schools are closed due to COVID-19 situation. Pray for wisdom to lead his staff and teachers to facilitate the students’ continued learning.

Pray for Han Chew as the HOPE HOUSE is also closed until the situation stabilises.

UESDAY

EAST ASIA

1. Pray that the Disciples they will receive strength, wisdom and courage to be effective witnesses to bless their communities in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pray they will have “no fear in love”.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18) Pray for the nation as it deals with the COVID-19 outbreak. Pray that the people who will have good and healthy body, mind, and spirit.

2. Pray that the people will continue to HUNGER FOR THE WORD AND TRUTH OF GOD. Most people are using online worship to spiritually feed their sheep, and gathering is still not advisable. May they live out the life of Christ.

3. Pray for recovery and faith for those who are facing problems in their livelihood and education. Pray for increase of faith and their encounter with God as they trust in Him. Pray for strength for adjustment to changes, and that they will have good health, and their daily needs will be met.

4. Pray for the Lord’s guidance and leading to reach out to the multitudes in the nations in EA. Pray for clear directions and more labourers as the Harvest is plentiful.

EDNESDAY

2. Pray for God to quickly send SHORT TERM HELPERS AND MISSIONARIES to support the education and church ministries in Laos.

LAOS

1. Pray for the SINGAPORE MISSION SCHOOL (SMS) which is closed due to the COVID-19 situation. Pray for the effectiveness and efficacy of the online learning programme for the students. Pray also for the students to be disciplined and have patience as they embark on this remote learning journey. Pray for the teachers and staff.

3. Pray for the Pastors and Church Leaders. Their TRAINING PROGRAMME in April is postponed. Pray for another opportunity to conduct this training.

4. Pray for God’s mercy and protection over the BELIEVERS as they face threats and trials. Pray for their faith and fellowship to continue to grow and mature despite the challenging situations.

HURSDAY

NEPAL

1. Pray for Nepal as the people deals with the COVID-19 outbreak. Pray for wisdom as our NATIONAL PASTORS AND LEADERS adjust their arrangements for the conduct of worship services, prayer meetings and other events because of the lockdown measures imposed by the Nepali government as of March 2020.

2. Pray for our LOCAL CONGREGATION as they adapt to the new measures that have been implemented in the areas of healthy lifestyle practices and social distancing.

Pray for the protection of our members during this challenging period in Nepal.

3. Pray for our MISSIONARIES AND THEIR FAMILIES as they adapt to the challenging environment as a result of the COVID-19 situation.

4. Pray for our NATIONAL PASTORS AND LEADERS as they assume greater responsibilities in the management of our ministries.

5. Pray for the YOUTH as they prepare themselves to become the next generation of leaders for the Methodist Church in Nepal.

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Source Code: PRT_PRAYER_C

my gift for his great commission through mms

STEP 3 Fill in your payment instructions:

2. Pray for God to grant good health and protection to our MISSIONARIES and THEIR FAMILIES, NATIONAL PASTORS, and CHURCH STAFF during the COVID-19 period.

3. Pray for creativity for the pastors to continue to feed SPIRITUAL FOOD to their members since most activities and worship service in the local churches are suspended.

RIDAY

4. Pray for the THAI ANNUAL MEETING AND ORDINATION SERVICE which has been postponed to October. May the Church Leaders take this time to reflect and re-evaluate their plans and financial budget.

THAILAND

1. Pray for wisdom as the PASTORS and CHURCH LEADERS deal with the COVID-19 situation tactfully with the members of their respective churches.

5. Pray for all the Church Leaders and Pastors to embrace the vision and goal of becoming a DISCIPLE-MAKING CHURCH. 6. Pray for the Pastors and Church Leaders to be filled with wisdom and understanding to execute the plans and budget to become SELF-SUSTAINING CHURCHES.

2. Pray for Cheryl Chen as she prepares to join her husband Rudy Wong as a full-time missionary in a few months. She will be teaching English to the Secondary School students at ST PAUL METHODIST SCHOOL (SPMS) and providing training for the teachers.

ATURDAY

TIMOR-LESTE

1. Thank God for His protection and peace given to our MISSIONARIES. May God grant them good health regardless if they are still stationed in Timor-Leste or back in Singapore during this challenging COVID-19 period.

3. Pray for the tuition programme led by the hostĂŠlites in DUNAMIS HOUSE. It is a community service and blessing to teach and reach out to the 44 neighbouring children twice weekly. Pray that God will use this programme as a platform to share the message of His love and salvation. Currently, this programme is temporarily put on hold because the hostelites in Dili have either returned to their villages or to Sundermeier Home due to school closures.

4. Thank God for the provision of SUPPORTING CHURCHES to partner with MMS. May God continue to pour His blessings on the nation of Timor-Leste.

UNDAY

2. Pray for our INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (ICFHCMC) members who work as private tutors or freelance teachers because they have lost their income or jobs during this outbreak. Pray that they will be able to get new jobs and put food on the table for their family. Contract workers are finding that their contracts will not be renewed during this difficult period and have to leave the country. We lost such precious ICF members due to this decision to close educational institutions for such long indefinite period.

3. Pray that our ICF members will continue to grow in His Word and grace as SUNDAY SERVICES are cancelled till further notice by the authority. Pray that the members will meet online effectively.

4. Pray for the affected BUSINESSES to be able to pull through and recover quickly. May God pour His favour upon our business community to do well and to be a channel of blessings to the society.

VIETNAM

1. Pray for VIETNAM as all schools, universities, and educational institutions were closed since the Lunar New Year break. Pray for the school children who are staying home for this period to do on-line homework with their mothers who also have to be home with them.

Pray that our parents, especially the mothers, and children will have a good time of bonding and a time of instilling and cultivating godly values to their children.

Testimony

Growing in Service ~ by Richard Lepcha, member of Wesley Bardan Methodist Church in Kathmandu, Nepal.

In August 2019, I was tasked to plan and conduct the Youth Camp for Wesley Bardan Methodist Church. It was to be held in October 2019.

At the same time, I was also committed to assist in an evangelistic fund raising programme with another local church.

It was at this time that I truly encountered the faithfulness and goodness of our Lord who provided for all my needs. I learnt to seek His wisdom and to receive the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Together with my team, we had our prayer vigil and fasting every Friday night, seeking His will and direction for the Youth Camp. As we prayed, we received the verse from 2 Corinthians 3:17 that speaks of “Freedom in Christ�.

We realised the need for our youth to receive His promise of freedom when we surrender our lives to Him. We can lead victorious lives and we are more than conquerors.

The positive outcome of the Youth Camp, which was attended by 80 young people, has inspired and encouraged me. I do not have to fear any challenge but remain confident in knowing that He is my Helper and Provider, and He is always faithful to me. Through serving Him, I have grown in my spiritual life.

I humbly thank God for the privilege to serve Him together with a committed team from my cell group!

METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 6478 4818 mms@methodist.org.sg www.mms.org.sg mms.org.sg mms.org.sg mmsorgsg