PRAYERconnect May 2018 to August 2018
A prayer letter of the Methodist Missions Society ď Ž Not for circulation ď Ž For Mission Partners and Volunteers only
Many were gathered together and were praying. Acts 12:12 (ESV)
dear prayer partners
Uniting in Prayer Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, “Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 8:20–21, NIV) Zechariah, the prophet of God, saw a vision concerning Jerusalem’s glorious future. He saw a people fervent and united in prayer and worship. We may have caught a glimpse of that vision when 51,000 Christians in Singapore gathered at the Sports Hub to pray in unity and worship God to mark SG50 in 2015. It is indisputable that Uniting in prayer is effective for missions and ministry. As you thumb through the pages of this issue of PrayerConnect, let us unite in prayer for our missionaries, national workers and ministries. Your prayers is their greatest resource. Thank you for uniting in prayer with us.
Rev Philip Lim Executive Director Methodist Missions Society Cover photo showing a group of Nepali ladies praying. All Scripture quoted is based on English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise stated.
ONDAY
2. Thank God for the opportunity for all the Khmer staff and children to return to their respective hometowns during the Khmer New Year break. Thankful that they could be a blessing to their families by proclaiming the Lord’s goodness and love wherever they went.
CAMBODIA
1. Thank God for the enrolment of 26 girls and 24 boys for Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade respectively at COSI on 25 March. May the Lord continue to nurture these young ones to grow in wisdom and serve the Lord fervently. Thank God for the faithful volunteer officers who serve every week. May the Lord bless their ministry to make strong and faithful disciples for Christ.
3. Pray as the current students and alumni from the Methodist School of Cambodia, PCOSIIP, Methodist Hostel, and Joy Hostel are gathering on 15 May for a time to seek the Lord. This annual discipleship rally is part of the discipleship movement all our missionaries are heavily invested in. This year, the theme is “Chosen”, taken from 1 Peter 2:9. May the Lord work within the hearts of all the participants to set themselves apart for the Lord and live as God’s chosen people.
4. Pray for the 88 staff, teachers, and heads of department of Methodist School of Cambodia. May the Lord grant them joy to serve and wisdom to disciple the 1048 children from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Pray for the teachers to be blessed with creativity and fresh ideas in the classrooms. Pray for the Grade 9 and 12 students as they prepare to sit for national exams in August. May the Lord bless them with focus and stamina in their studies. 5. The nation will hold general elections in July. Pray Pray for a peaceful and fair election process.
2. Pray for the centres at KM that are emphasising and embarking on the making of disciples. Pray for wisdom to overcome many traditional obstacles. Pray also for the planning and preparation of the team from QCMC that will be venturing into the snow mountain for the second consecutive year.
UESDAY
EAST ASIA
1. Pray for the faith community at the NW region that is under tremendous scrutiny and pressure with every person, every household, and every meeting is closely monitored. Pray for the perseverance and strengthening of faith among the believers in the region.
3. Pray for the ethnic works at DL and our regional retreat in the July-August period. 4. Thank God that the centres in the NC and SC regions are safe and sound although the overall security and political control is tightening. Centres at TP, ZJJ, and CZ are going through strategical planning of intentional disciple-making under the guidance of AC. Pray for good health, sound mind, faithful heart, and passionate spirit for all to continue serving. 5. Pray as FZ centre is launching a new Community Development work of community service. Pray for the team to have clear vision and sensitivity to the needs of the unreached in community while community projects start to roll out in June, July, November, and December.
3. Thank God for the visits of several consultants from Singapore in March to help the school with its accounts, curriculum and outreach to parents. 4. Praise the Lord for Stanley Seah and Teo Bee Leng from Agape Methodist Church who are currently volunteering for a month and will be joining SMS Laos from April or May as Christian Ministry Staff and Kindergarten/Primary Teacher.
EDNESDAY
2. Pray for us as we prepare for our second licence renewal inspection in May that we may continue to find favour with the authorities.
5. Pray for the establishment of a ministry to parents as well as to children and school staff members. 6. Pray for SMS Laos and members of the School Board as we implement strategies to increase enrolment and to develop the curriculum of the school. 7. Pray for the leaders of the Lao PDR to have the vision for the future of its people and for the stability of the nation in the region.
LAOS
1. Thank God for the continued safety and well-being of the 47 children of SMS Laos.
8. Pray again for the church in Laos and for SMS and INSPIRE to continue to fulfil their roles in the growth of the body here.
HURSDAY
NEPAL
1. Pray that Vijayee Methodist Church Building Project in East Nepal will be completed smoothly and on schedule. Although the building is in its final stage of completion, the worshippers have started using the premises for worship as their temporary worship hall has been returned to the landowner. Pray also for God’s protection as they begin worshipping in the new building. 2. Pray for Rev Sabashtain Lepcha and his team as they continue with the Rebuilding Programme to provide safe homes for those who were affected and suffered losses to lives and properties during the Nepal earthquake in 2015. Pray for the pastor and leaders of Phulbari MC as they discuss plans for the rebuilding of the church.
The old and new buildings of Vijayee Methodist Church.
3. Pray for our new Missionaries in Nepal, MO and his wife, as they settle in to their new environment and ministry. May the peace and comfort from our Lord be with the family. 4. Pray for the coming Training Seminar “Restoring the Human Spirit� for our Pastors and leaders. It will be conducted in Kathmandu in early May 2018. Pray for the facilitators that they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Pray for the participants to come with an open heart to receive the blessings from Him!
1. Pray for the Ministries: - Thank God for Christ Methodist Church mission team that brought encouragement and prayer coverage to the Pastor-in-charge and members of Klong Pat PP. Pray for this partnership to grow in strength and spirit, and to birth a new urban church ministry. - Pray for Songroi Pi PP to reach out to more children and youth around town in creative ways. Pray for Ps Jantima to guide in the ministry to the children. - Pray for Ps John Thirawat and the Shan Ministry in Chiang Mai. Pray for a new place to conduct Sunday worship service and bible teachings as the church membership is growing rapidly. - Pray for Cassandra Lee and a team from Grace Methodist Church that organised a holiday camp for more than 40 children in Tung Yao PP. May the bible lessons taught at the camp be like mustard seeds. May God seal them and cause them to grow in the hearts of all the children.
Harvesting in Thailand.
3. Pray and uphold all our 13 Churches and 13 Preaching Points. Pray that God will continue to bless the churches and that they will continue to grow and prosper. Pray against every principality and power of darkness out to hinder or destroy our ministries.
RIDAY
4. Pray for God’s direction as the school is seeking to start the secondary level education in Vineyard Methodist School. The school would need more space and classrooms to accommodate this expansion. Pray for God’s leading and resources to make this vision a reality.
THAILAND
2. Thank God for new Pastors. At the 13th Thai Annual Meeting, 2 Elders and 6 Deacons were ordained (3 of them lady clergies). Praise God for preparing them for the works He has planned for them in Thailand. May God protect them and guard their personal walk and service to the people in Thailand.
2. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the lives of the students in SPMS (TL). Pray that the students will grow in love with Jesus more and more, and that they will live out the purposes of God in their lives.
ATURDAY
TIMOR-LESTE
1. Thank God for all the support given in establishing the St Paul Methodist School (Timor-Leste) aka SPMS (TL) thus far. Pray for more labourers in the field, especially Mathematics and Science teachers.
3. Pray for God’s favour in the planning and building of the school. Pray that every part of the process will bring glory to His name. 4. Pray for the 19 students in Sundermeier Home (SH) especially when they complete their boarding at end of the year. We are seeking for ways to nuture their faith through continuing discipleship. 5. Pray for God’s guidance as we select new leaders in SH for 2019. 6. Pray also for us as we select the new student intake for 2019. 7. Pray for the final year students that they will do well in their exam this year. Pray for God’s guidance for their future. 8. Pray that the Lord will take pleasure and be honoured as we worship Him in SH. (Haggai 1:8)
2. Pray for another theologically-trained person to join us as a licensed assistant pastor of ICF, so as to help in the church especially to preach on Sundays. Thankful for a potential pastor from Singapore presently.
VIETNAM
1. Pray for love and unity in International Christian Fellowship (ICF) as we continue to build deep and grow wide in this wonderful Ho Chi Minh City.
4. Pray for more mature believers from overseas to join us. May they help us to share the love of Jesus Christ and also the workload of mercy works we are (or deciding to be) involved in. 5. Pray for the ministries we want to participate in. Pray that it will not be determined by the funding or circumstances we are in but by the calling of the Lord. May the Lord grant wisdom on the leadership of ICF. 6. Thank God for ICF and how God has been gracious and pouring His favour upon us. Our cell groups are growing and our members are zealous to study the Word.
UNDAY
3. Pray that the church will fulfil God’s purposes in this city and beyond.
7. Pray for the lives of individuals that are impacted by ICF mercy works (social concerns). May they in turn help out other families and give back to the society. May they continue to grow in the saving grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and bring all to full maturity in Christ.
Testimony
Transformed inside out ~ by Olinda Madeira, Sundermeier Home in Timor-Leste. This is her final year with Sundermeier Home. From young, I followed my parents to church occasionally. But I did not understand or know what it means to know God or even to pray. We never had a Bible at home and never had any form of devotion or even a family prayer.
I had the opportunity to stay in Sundermeier Home in 2016 during my first year in senior high school. Here, I was given a Bible and I was taught how to read the bible, worship, and pray to God. All these were totally new to me. Then I began to read the Bible daily, and worship and pray. I was told that God loves me so much that He gave His life for me, according to John 3:16. I was drawn closer to God and now I experience changes in my life. God is truly transforming me from inside out. My old life is slowly fading and I am learning to live a new life as God promised in 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is just the beginning. My new life has brought me much joy, peace, and love which I have never experienced before! I also have had the joy of sharing this love, peace, and joy with my parents. Thank you for supporting and praying for Sundermeier Home.
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