PrayerConnect (January to April 2020)

PRAYERconnect January 2020 to April 2020

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

If you are sick, ask the church leaders to come and pray for you.

James 5:14 (CEV)

dear prayer partners

Share the Good News In early November 2019, my wife and I visited London and our very first stop, after checking into the hotel, was Wesley’s Chapel. What a privilege, at the 35th year of my pastoral ministry, to be “connected” historically at the site of a clergyman of extraordinary passion and global vision where he once served and declared, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.”

My heart was strangely warmed in the midst of a wet and cold weather season then.

In this PrayerConnect, I invite you to pause, reflect, and pray for a shared vision of having more preachers, both clergy and lay, to share the Good News to the world, beginning from Jerusalem (i.e. our immediate family and loved ones), colleagues, community, and the countless unreached peoples in our mission fields. This was the call of Christ to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38) Would you pray for opportunity to share the love of God this New Year?

Sometimes, we feel that we have prayed, tried to speak about Christ’s love and yet the response has been far from encouraging. If that has been the case, may I encourage you with this promise, “He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:6) Let’s begin the New Year with a prayer to the Lord to share the Good News!

Rev Derrick Lau Executive Director Methodist Missions Society Cover photo showing Ps Art, our Thai National Pastor, laying his hands on and praying for his church members during his regular house visits.

All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise stated.

2. Pray for the MISSIONARIES as they continue with outreach and discipleship. Pray for renewal of strength, vision, and passion.

4. Pray for the leadership of the METHODIST CHURCH OF CAMBODIA as they continue in their second year as a Provisional Annual Conference. Pray also for more national leaders to rise up within the church.

ONDAY

3. Pray that God will send MORE MISSIONARIES to Cambodia. The harvest is indeed plentiful but the workers are few.

5. Pray for the leaders, teachers and staff at the METHODIST SCHOOL OF CAMBODIA. Pray for wisdom and protection over their health.

6. Pray for the outreach efforts under COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES (COS): Hope House and COSI Children’s Village. Pray also for our new ministry, The Third Place, at Odem. Pray for fruitfulness in advancing the gospel.

CAMBODIA

1. Pray for our NATIONAL STAFF. May they continue to abide in Christ, walk in His ways, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray for wisdom as they navigate situations on the ground.

2. Pray that they will learn, teach, and live the WORD OF GOD, and be anchored in the Truth. Pray for discernment in identifying false teachings and wisdom in protecting themselves from them. Pray for godly teachers to be raised among them and they will effectively teach the Word.

UESDAY

EAST ASIA

1. Pray that their discipleship will be strengthened, and that they will be united and be committed to Christ. Pray for their MINISTRY GROWTH as they love and support one another.

3. Pray for the increase and strengthening of their PRAYER LIFE. Pray that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and will encounter His wonderful works of miracle and healing.

4. Pray for PERSEVERANCE in carrying out their ministries. May they increase in hope, and joyfully be the light and salt. Pray for strength and empowerment as they reach out to many needy people in their communities. Pray that many will find God’s love through their care and love.

5. Pray that as DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, they will be effective witnesses to bless their community in the market place. Pray also that they will have the favour of God and man, be successful in their work, and eventually bring glory to the Lord.

EDNESDAY

2. Thank God for the VISIT by Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) team to SMS. The MGS team as well as the children and teachers of SMS had a wonderful time of fellowship and learning through arts and crafts.

3. Pray for more SHORT-TERM HELPERS and MISSIONARIES who are urgently needed to support the education and church ministries in Laos.

4. Pray that the Lord will grant SMS continued FAVOUR in the eyes of the officials from the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, Tax Authority, and our landlord with whom we are collaborating.

LAOS

1. Thank God for the increased STUDENT ENROLMENT at Singapore Mission School (SMS). Pray that every child will experience good academic learning and Christian character formation.

5. Pray for the implementation of a comprehensive 2020 TRAINING programme in Laos to address the needs for family and marriage counselling. Many are spiritually hungry and searching for answers. A great harvest awaits and labourer are needed to help make disciples, equip new believers, and strengthen Christ-centred families.

6. Pray for God’s hand of mercy to protect BELIEVERS from threats. Pray their faith and fellowship will continue to grow and mature despite challenging situations.

2. Pray for our NEPAL MINISTRY TEAM. May our National Leaders continue to be empowered to gradually take on the leadership role of the Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN). Pray for the leadership renewal effort in progress.

HURSDAY

NEPAL

1. Pray for the CHURCH PLANTING MINISTRY. Pray for God’s guidance and direction as we look for opportunities to bring the gospel to the unreached people in the West and East Nepal.

3. Pray for the two MOT (MEMBER-ON-TRIAL) candidates and the newly appointed DEACON that God will anoint them as they minister to their congregations.

4. Pray for the DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING being conducted for the new leaders in MCN. 5. Pray that the YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES. Pray that the youth and children, who attended the camps during the last quarter, will continue to be inspired and live their lives in the Spirit.

4. Pray for the MINISTRY TEAMS from the Methodist Church in Singapore. Pray for the Ellel Ministries Training scheduled for March 2020. Pray that God will provide the right people to be trained for ministry. Pray for the Ellel Ministries Team as they prepare to conduct this training.

5. Pray for God’s provision of MISSIONARIES to serve 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 that the BELIEVERS will have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a true follower of Christ.

3. Pray for great health and protection of our MISSIONARIES and their family, NATIONAL PASTORS, and CHURCH STAFF MEMBERS.

THAILAND

1. Pray that the hearts of the PEOPLE will be more open to the Gospel.

4. Pray for unity in purpose when the pastor and leaders of MITTAPHAP METHODIST CHURCH gather for a planning retreat in January 2020.

6. Pray for the boys in TERM FUN HOME as they sit for their final examinations in March 2020.

7. Pray for all our NATIONAL PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS to embrace the vision of becoming a disciplemaking church. May they to be filled with wisdom and understanding in the execution of the budget for all churches towards self-sustainability.

RIDAY

5. Pray for the logistic and planning for the 15TH THAI ANNUAL MEETING on 17 and 18 March 2020. The Mettakij Church Association (MCA) is expecting a large cohort of Elders and Deacons to be ordained by Bishop.

8. Pray for VINEYARD METHODIST SCHOOL as we proceed to introduce and implement the use of English as the medium of instruction to teach all subjects, except for Thai language, from May 2020 onwards.

2. Praise God for the marriage of RUDY and CHERYL in October 2019. Both will return to serve in April 2020. Cheryl will serve as a teacher at St Paul Methodist School (SPMS). Praise God for the ministry of RENCY in SPMS as a teacher for the past three years. She completed her term of service and has returned to India for marriage. Pray for God’s blessings as they enter into a new phrase in their lives and service.

ATURDAY

TIMOR-LESTE

1. Pray for our MISSIONARIES and their ministries: David and his family (Jessie, Isaac, Joy, and Isaiah); Joseph and Grace; Rasanya; Rudy and Cheryl; and Rev Swee Fang and Jin Hoe.

3. Thank God for the successful completion of six MISSIONS INTERNSHIP TRAINING & EXPOSURE (MITE) participants in October 2019. Praise God that two of them, Rev See and Mr Jin Hoe, will be going there as full-time MISSIONARIES in early 2020. Pray for their preparation, adjustment to life and ministry in Timor-Leste, and seamless integration with the team.

4. Pray for the graduating batch of students from SUNDERMEIER HOME (SH) to get job placements or further education opportunities in January 2020. Pray for wisdom to select new intake of SH Grade 10 hostelites.

5. Pray for the two new projects: a WATER FILTRATION PROJECT in SH and a HOSTEL for university students in Dili.

Pray for God’s wisdom and direction. Pray for the finalisation of the MOUs with the supporting churches. Pray for suitable house parents to be identified for the hostel.

6. Praise God that an SPMS student, MANUEL, passed the St Francis Methodist School (SFMS) entrance exam and will be starting his Grade 10 to 12 studies in January 2020. Thank God for the donors for the study award and the host family. Pray for Manuel’s adjustment and successful studies. May he grow into a mature and God-fearing young man during his time in SFMS.

2. Thank God for the growth in our SMALL GROUPS. We need more leaders and new meeting venues. We also praise & thank God for our faithful and committed small group leaders.

UNDAY

3. Pray for the many ICF members who are TRAVELLING overseas extensively in these months for business or going back to have holiday to spend time with their families back in their home countries. Pray that they will have safe travels, successful conferences and business meetings, and meaningful bonding with their families. May they be refreshed and find their rhythm to grow spiritually through their Bible Study groups and church community and fellowship in the new year.

VIETNAM

1. Thank and praise God for the members of the INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (ICF) who were baptised in December 2019.

They found their Saviour in ICF. May they remain as faithful disciples of Jesus. May they continue to hunger for God’s Word and learn to live for the Lord.

4. Pray that we will continue to be filled with His Spirit’s understanding and grace to walk and equip our DISCIPLES. May our love and ties be genuine to help us to endure through difficult times.

5. Pray with us as we deliberate on suitable SOCIAL CONCERN PROJECTS in the New Year. May God bring us to new places and opportunities of ministry to serve the people with Christ’s love and mercy.

6. Praise God for the generosity of our members who gave to support the NEEDY STUDENTS. Pray that those who received bursaries under our education programme will appreciate God’s love and care through ICF.

Testimony

A touch from the lord Here are testimonies of two believers who are touched by the Lord.

Two years ago, Sister H underwent a kidney operation. She has been on dialysis for these past years. During the last Chinese New Year period, Sister H came to one of our churches and accepted Christ. As we prayed for her, she began to weep and the Lord touched her. Miraculously, ever since the Lord had healed her, she did not need to be on dialysis anymore. Today, she has regained her strength and now she can ride her bicycle extremely fast. Her walking speed is very fast as well. She is now faithfully serving the Lord in the church choir, and she is also attending one of our discipleship classes.

Brother W runs a small provision shop in a village near the church. He had not been to church for about three months when he fell sick. The doctor performed a colostomy on him. Currently, he has to carry a stoma bag with him while recovering from the intestinal surgery. We visit Brother W at our regular home visits. And at one of our visitations, he treated every one of us to some green bean ice cream. During our visitations, we prayed for Brother W to regain his strength and also to be able to come to church. Thank God that he eventually came back to church. He also felt more energetic after our prayer. Recently, he even volunteered to do some church work. We will continue to pray for his complete healing.

Indeed, to get a touch from the Lord is so real. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.� (James 4:8)

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