PRAYERconnect January 2022 to April 2022
A prayer letter of the Methodist Missions Society
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10
dear prayer partners
STILL, PRAYING STILL Prayer moves the heart and hand of God. Praying according to His will and purpose is clearly the paradigm which Christ taught and demonstrated in His ministry. For example, He taught His disciples: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV) And in another instance as He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He said, “... may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42, NIV) Jesus continues to answer the prayers of His disciples who align their hearts and petitions before the throne of God. The key challenge is to be STILL, and be PRAYING STILL while we ask, seek, and knock at His door (cf. Matthew 7:7). Fundamentally, the hallmark of prayer is more than beautifully crafted prose and poetry although these often help us appreciate the writers’ sentiments in terms of praise, confession, thanksgiving, and petitions. Reflect on this... “When you can’t put your prayer into words, God hears your heart.” Anonymous Let our hearts be still and let us commit ourselves towards prayer, individually and collectively, with our families, small groups, and churches. Paul reminds us to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) As we continue our journey towards an endemic world, we should intensify our prayers for one another and for the nations as our vulnerability to the COVID-19 virus remains very real. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10) Cover photo: Praying at Little Candles School, Thailand. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise stated.
Rev Derrick Lau Executive Director Methodist Missions Society
2. Pray for God’s strength, health, wisdom, creativity, and grace for our MISSIONARIES to lead their ministries and those under their care, and to seek innovative ways to reach out. 3. Pray for the children and youth in COSI and COSY to put their best into their studies as onsite schools have resumed. May they seek after God and grow wholistically under the guidance of their houseparents, managers, and missionaries. 4. Praise God for newcomers to THE THIRD PLACE. May they integrate well into the church community and be discipled together with the rest of the congregation as on-site worship services have resumed. Pray for more to participate in the language classes conducted as an outreach opportunity. 5. Pray for the creativity and faithfulness of HOPE HOUSE staff to minister through enrichment programmes, Sunday School, and the provision of daily meals for 50-70 slum children, as well as reach out to the children’s families. May more hearts be opened to serve as volunteers and staff. 6. Pray for tenacity for PCOSIIP students to dig deep into their on-site lessons, which have resumed at their respective universities, to accomplish their study goals. May they apply God’s word in their lives. 7. Pray for God’s wisdom and strength for the managers and leadership teams at METHODIST & JOY HOSTELS as they give care and direction for their charges. Pray for all hostelites to be able to balance between their studies, work, and spiritual growth. 8. Pray for the METHODIST CHURCHES IN CAMBODIA to continue wholesome worship services onsite. Pray for creativity, joy, and wisdom for pastors to nurture their disciples. Pray for perseverance and faith to trust and grow in faith as they seek to be more self-sustaining through new livelihood measures. 9. Pray for an increase in faith and trust in God as FLOURISH markets the products locally and couriers them to Singapore. Pray for Manim as she provides leadership to the group. 10. Pray for the enrolment of the METHODIST SCHOOL OF CAMBODIA to increase, and for parents to be able to pay the school fees so that the school can remain financially sustainable. Pray for the teachers to rise further in their ability to inspire and empower their students to realise their maximum potential.
CAMBODIA
1. Praise God that the COVID-19 situation is improving and the economy is slowly beginning to revive. Pray for employment opportunities and job security for those seeking means of livelihood.
NEPAL
1. Thank God for the improving COVID-19 SITUATION in Nepal. Thank God that our churches and preaching points are returning to physical worship services. Pray for the well-being of our Pastors and members as they conduct on-site services and continue with their church-planting work. 2.Thank God for the full RECOVERY of Rev Chandra Bomjan and Ps Khadga Sodemba from COVID-19. Thank God that they have resumed their pastoral duties and are testifying to God’s healing, love, faithfulness, and goodness when they were earlier tested positive for COVID-19. Pray for the discussions that will take place for the renewal of the MOU to support Rev Chandra and Ps Khadga in their ministries. 3.Pray for God’s protection and provision for our girls in SOPHIA’S HOME. Pray for the girls who have graduated from the Home in 2021 and have returned to their families and/or pursuing their tertiary education. Pray for God’s provision for more sponsors for the Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) Residential programme. Pray for more funds to be raised to sponsor the girls who are pursuing their tertiary studies.
PRAYERconnect《祷告连接》
Email mms@methodist.org.sg to receive the Chinese version in pdf format. 若您想索取电子版的《祷告连接》，请发送电邮至mms@methodist.org.sg PROOFREADERS TRANSLATORS
Wendy Tan, Goh Tuan Gee Alex Chng, Henry Wang, Leong Chin Yee, Ng Hsu-Fen, Shyuan Wong, Susan Koh, Thng Pheng Soon
MY GIFT FOR HIS GREAT COMMISSION THROUGH MMS
MY GIFT FOR HIS GREAT COMMISSION THROUGH MMS STEP 1 Either select a Specific Area and a Country, or allow us to direct your gift where it is needed most: [ ] GENERAL FUND
[ ] WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST
[ ] CHURCH PLANTING
[ ] COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
[ ] REV DR CLARENCE LIM MISSIONARY DEVELOPMENT FUND [ ] COUNTRY __________________________________________ [Cambodia, East Asia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam]
STEP 2 Decide how much you would like to give either on a monthly basis or as a one-time gift: [ ] Pledge a monthly gift of S$ ________________ commencing ___________________________ [date] until further notice. [ ] Make a one-time gift of S$ ________________. NOTE: If you need more details, please call 6478 4818. For more information on Student Sponsorship Schemes, please visit https://www.mms.org.sg/sss PDPA: MMS is committed to ensuring the security of all personal data she collects. MMS shall use and disclose such data only for her necessary purposes and if so, shall adhere to the guidelines of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data.
Rev/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms: _____________________________________ Date: ___________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ Postal Code: _________________ Church: ___________________________________ Phone: _______________________ Email: _____________________________________ [ ] I would like to make my gift through [tick one]: [ ] CREDIT CARD [ ] VISA [ ] MasterCard
Expiry Date: ___________ Name on Card: ___________________________ Signature: ______________ Card No: ________________________________________________________ [ ] CHEQUE Bank & Cheque No: _______________________________________________ Please cross your cheque and make it payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore [MMS]” and mail it together with this form to Methodist Missions Society, 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre, Singapore 309936.
[ ] INTERNET BANK [IB] TRANSFER
Scan the MMS PayNow QR code with your Bank App. Or enter UEN No ‘S88CC0564JMMS’. If you choose IB Transfer or PayNow option, please state your name <space> phone number <space> gift purpose [e.g. Helen 98765432 General Fund] in the Reference field. Or mail/scan to mms@methodist.org.sg this form with your details.
[ ] I would like to regularly receive: [ ] PrayerConnect [ ] Harvest Force [ ] Pray for MMS in 60 seconds prayer email. [ ] I would like to be an MMS Intercessor.
[ ] PAYNOW
Source Code: PRT_PRAYER_C
Name of Bank Account: The Methodist Church in Singapore [MMS] Bank Name: DBS Bank Ltd Bank Account Number: 033-016829-2 Bank Code: 7171 Branch Code: 033 Swift Code: DBSSSGSG
MY GIFT FOR HIS GREAT COMMISSION THROUGH MMS
STEP 3 Fill in your payment instructions:
2.Pray for our schools, VINEYARD METHODIST SCHOOL and LITTLE CANDLES SCHOOL, as classes are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 3.Pray for the protection and health of our THAI PASTORS, MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILY. Some are still waiting to be vaccinated. 4. Pray for the growth of the MINISTRY even as it continues online. Pray that our members will continue to grow in the Lord. Pray for new leadership to rise up among the clergy and laity. 5. Pray for MEMBERS whose jobs were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent floods. 6. Thank God that the land at THUONG YAO PREACHING POINT is filled up after successful transfer of land title to MMF. 7. Pray for our workers at RANGSIT CREMATORIUM as the crematorium has resumed its services. 8. Thank God that MMS Missionary, VINCENT LIM, and his family have safely returned to Khon Kaen. 10. Pray for MMS Missionary, ANGELA SNG, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in Singapore. Pray also for her family and ministry at Term Fun Home.
THAILAND
1. Thank God that the construction of LITTLE CANDLES PRIMARY SCHOOL can begin after the successful award of contract and approval by MOE.
TIMOR-LESTE
1. Pray for our MISSIONARIES to be renewed and strengthened in body, mind, soul, and spirit as they begin a new year of ministry. Pray for wisdom and favour as they continue to serve and minister to the local community. 2. Pray for DUNAMIS HOUSE. Pray for the hostelites to catch up with their studies and prepare well for their examinations as they resume school. Pray for the tuition ministry by the hostelites to the community. Since the lockdown was lifted, there has been an increase in gang activity and rivalry in the neighbourhood, and many children have not come for their usual tuition lessons out of fear of the gangs. Pray for a breakthrough in the situation and for God to reign in this community. 3. Pray for SUNDERMEIER HOME. Pray for the hostelites and houseparents to flourish and grow like a cedar planted in the house of the Lord and to always bear fruit. (Psalm 92:12-14) Pray for the final-year students who have just graduated to continue to trust God and to seek Him for future direction. 4. Pray for ST PAUL METHODIST SCHOOL. Pray for the students to be committed to blended onsite and online learning, to do their best, and to grow in love for God and one another. Pray for the teachers to be empowered and filled with wisdom and creativity to teach well and to model Godly values and character for students. Pray for wisdom as the consultant team awards the construction tender for the school development project. Pray for God’s favour, blessing, and protection upon the construction team and building process.
Testimony of answered prayer: We praise God for answered prayer! After a delay of four years, St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) in Timor-Leste recently signed a long-term lease for a site in Metinaro to build the permanent home for the school. It is truly God’s divine timing as SPMS has grown over the years with a current enrolment of 300 students in Grades 1-5 and 7-12. In 2022, Grade 6 will be added, so SPMS will be a full Grade 1-12 school providing quality, Christian-based instruction for Primary through Upper Secondary students. The SPMS development project is anticipated to begin in March 2022 and will be able to house 700 students and 80 hostelites when completed in January 2023. May SPMS be a light in the nation and fulfil its mission to serve God’s purpose in each generation. Glory be to God!
TESTIMONY
JUST THE RIGHT TIME ~ by Mildred Goh, MMS Missionary in Phayakkhaphum Phisai District, Isaan, Thailand.
My husband, Ps Ping, and I thank God for His blessings over our ministry here in Thailand. He has been with us all the time equipping and providing for us with all we need as we serve here in the Payakkaphumphisai Methodist Church. On top of this, He has allowed us to not only plant and work alongside the church members to nurture pre-believers but also to reap the harvest. Praise be to God for His grace, love, and mercy in this place. A year before the COVID-19 pandemic started, Ps Ping gave out some audio players. These audio players came with an SD card pre-loaded with Northeast Thai (Isaan) Christian music, sermons, and devotions. Little did we know how useful this device would be in the time of lockdown during the pandemic. He first distributed them to our church members and youth. They listened to their devices in their homes and they also brought them along while they were working outside. As they played the audio players, their family members and neighbours heard the Good News being proclaimed and interest in it
grew. Soon, many of our church members requested for more players as family members and neighbours were asking if they could acquire them. Thereafter, a followup session was organised in the form of a lunchtime gathering at a church member’s house. All our church members in her village gathered and pre-believers were invited to join us. Subsequently during the lockdown when not everyone could go to church, they continued to listen to the music and sermons on these devices. When we reopened after the threemonth lockdown, all our members who used to attend the church service before the lockdown, including the pre-believers, came back to church! We praise God that ever since, we have witnessed a constant stream of pre-believers coming to church, accepting Christ’s love for them, and being baptised. Galatians 6:9, NLT says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Thanks be to God. Note: This testimony was first featured in ‘PROJECT METAMORPHOSIS’. Check it out:
www.mms.org.sg/projectmetamorphosis
METHODIST MISSIONS SOCIETY 70 Barker Road #06-01 The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 mms@methodist.org.sg www.mms.org.sg 6478 4818 mms.org.sg mms.org.sg mmsorgsg