PRAYERconnect May 2019 to August 2019
A prayer letter of the Methodist Missions Society ď Ž Not for circulation ď Ž For Mission Partners and Volunteers only
Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Ephesians 6:18 (MSG)
dear prayer partners
Pray at all times in the Spirit Paul the apostle and missionary who was imprisoned for his faith penned the Epistle to the Ephesians urging the believers to “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:18-20, ESV. We have been given the mandate to preach the gospel to the whole world (Mark 16:15). Praise God that millions have heard and responded to God’s compassionate love in Jesus Christ. However, there is still a significant portion of the world’s population unreached. Unreached people group (a missiological terms used by Evangelical Christians) refers to an ethnic group without an indigenous, self-propagating Christian church movement. In addition, according to Paul, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4, NIV. Therefore, we need to pray in the Spirit that we might boldly proclaim the gospel and for spiritual breakthrough that the veil might be removed (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:14) so that peoples of the world might come to know Christ as Lord and Saviour!
Rev Derrick Lau Executive Director Methodist Missions Society Cover photo showing MMS staff, missionaries, and volunteers praying together. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version (ESV), unless otherwise stated.
ONDAY
3. Pray for the ODEM MINISTRY outreach efforts. Pray for the missionaries, Tan Li Diang and Carol Ong, and volunteers who run this ministry. Pray for the factory workers and youth who attend the English and Chinese classes, as well as the children who attend the Sunday School.
CAMBODIA
2. Pray for the HOPE HOUSE ministry. Pray for our missionary, Loh Han Chew, and staff who continue to run classes and food programmes daily. Pray for outreach opportunities to share the gospel. Pray also for partners to join and support this ministry.
Area Director (AD): Rev Derrick Lau
1. Pray for the leadership and pastors of the METHODIST CHURCH IN CAMBODIA (MCC), as they continue in their first year as a Provisional Annual Conference. Pray for fruitfulness as they work to advance the gospel.
4. Thank God for the COSI ALUMNI who have planned and initiated an event in Cambodia to support the PCOSIIP. Thank God for the unity, generosity, and faithfulness of the alumni in wanting to contribute back to MMS and MCC. Pray that they will continue to be good stewards of their gifts, support one another, and remain faithful to God.
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
AD: JC
CREATIVE ACCESS NATION
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.
EDNESDAY
3. Pray for the establishment of a MINISTRY to the school staff and children as well as to the parents. 4. Thank God for the newly recruited staff to maintain good financial records. Thank God for greater clarity in the SCHOOL FINANCES. 5. Pray for MORE MISSIONARIES to serve in Laos and SMS. 6. Pray for the CHURCH in Laos. Pray for God’s hand of mercy to protect believers from threats for their faith. May the believers’ faith and fellowship continue to grow and mature despite the trying situation.
LAOS
2. Pray for God’s PLAN AND GROWTH for SMS and INSPIRE.
AD: Rev Teresa Wilborn
1. Pray for strong working bonds and joy in service between SINGAPORE MISSION SCHOOL (SMS) and visiting trippers in trip planning and programme.
2. Pray for our ministry team in the METHODIST CHURCH IN NEPAL (MCN). Pray for our national leaders as they become empowered to gradually take on the leadership of MCN. Pray for the two Member-on-Trial (MOT) candidates that were appointed at the last Annual Meeting. May God anoint them as they minister to their congregations. Pray for the SonLife training that is being conducted for the new leaders in MCN.
HURSDAY
AD: Noel Tam
NEPAL
1. Pray for God’s guidance and direction for our CHURCH PLANTING ministry as we look for new opportunities to bring the gospel to the unreached people.
3. Pray for our CHILDREN’S & YOUTH ministries. There are the ‘Vacation Bible School’ camp and the ‘Equipping the Saints’ training for our children and youth in the coming months.
4. Pray for the MISSION teams from GC WSCS and our Methodist churches in Singapore as they visit Nepal in the coming months.
5. Pray for the 11th ANNUAL MEETING of the MCN which will be held in September 2019. Pray for our MCN leaders as they begin their preparation for the meeting.
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: [ ] WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST [ ] CHURCH PLANTING
[ ] COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
[ ] Rev Dr Clarence Lim Missionary Development Fund [ ] Country __________________________________________ [Cambodia, Creative Access Nation, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam]
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Please cross your cheque and make it payable to “The Methodist Church in Singapore [MMS]” and mail it together with this form to MMS Executive Director, Methodist Missions Society, 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre, Singapore 309936.
Source Code: PRT_PRAYER_C
my gift for his great commission through mms
STEP 3 Fill in your payment instructions:
RIDAY
3. Pray for the MUANGTHAI METTAKIJ FOUNDATION. Pray for the local authority to expedite the approval of the new board members. Pray for smooth application and process of work visas for our Missionaries.
THAILAND
2. Pray for the 28 CHURCHES AND PREACHING POINTS. Pray that they will continue to grow and prosper in leadership, discipleship, and membership. Pray for wisdom and determination as the churches move toward becoming self-sufficient financially. Pray for all the pastors and staff members. Pray for growth in church attendance and greater participation from the members.
AD: Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng
1. Thank God for the successful 14th Session of the THAI ANNUAL MEETING in March 2019. Two Deacons were ordained, adding on to a total of eight Deacons in 2019. Pray for the setup of a Mission Conference by 2020.
4. Pray for the LITTLE CANDLES Methodist Church, Kindergarten, and Primary School. Pray for Singapore churches to partner and support the church ministry. Pray for God to strengthen the workers and staff members. May God increase their capability to manage a growing ministry with the members and its community.
2. Pray for DAVID AND JESSIE, and their children Isaac, Joy, and Isaiah. Pray for wisdom and strength as they anchor the development of St Paul Methodist School (SPMS). May they obtain the Ministry of Education licence to run the school formally. May they secure the land title from Ministry of Justice to build the school. May they equip the teachers to bring about quality education. Pray for unity of purpose and joy as a family in serving the Lord. Pray for protection over Isaac who is away from the family to serve his national service for two years.
ATURDAY
AD: Rev Teresa Wilborn
TIMOR-LESTE
1. Pray for all the MISSIONARIES in Timor-Leste (TL) as they stand in the frontline. May God be their refuge and fortress (Psalm 91). Pray that their faith will arise in every battle, their hope will be secured in the promise of the cross, and their love will abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight as they serve God’s purpose in TL.
3. Pray for RUDY as he juggles his ministry and the preparation for his marriage in October 2019. Pray for God’s guidance as the couple seeks Him on areas to serve in TL after the marriage. 4. Pray for wisdom as RENCY cultivates self-directed and engaged learners in the school. Pray for good and peaceful rest during the night. Pray for wisdom to identify possible areas of community development for Mar Thoma Church in Singapore to anchor for mission. 5. Pray for JOSEPH AND GRACE during their time of equipping in Arrows College in Perth for three months, starting March 2019. Pray for a renewed vision and passion for the work of TL when they return to serve again as house parents in Sundermeier Home (SH) in June. Pray for good health and strength as they oversee the ministry of SH. Thank God for Evelyn, a MITE participant from Aldersgate MC, who helped supervise SH while the Mannars were on home leave. 6. Pray for RASANYA, our new missionary (from ETAC) in the field from 13 April 2019. Pray that she can assimilate into the culture and learn the local language quickly. Pray for wisdom in supporting the development of SPMS in the areas of administration and teaching. Pray for a smooth application of the 1-year work visa.
3. Pray for two to three committed CELL GROUP LEADERS.
5. Thank God for the growth in our CHILDREN’S MINISTRY. Pray for more expatriate families to join us.
UNDAY
4. Pray that the Lord will open doors for MMS to do ministry in a next suitable city.
AD: Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng
2. Pray for TENTMAKERS to join ICF.
VIETNAM
1. Pray for the INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (ICF) for strong leadership and committed members. Pray for unity in vision and mission.
6. Pray for REV LESLIE’S CHILDREN safety and growth in the Lord. May they continue to walk closely with the Lord. Pray for Lucas, his eldest son, as he decides on enrolling to a university after completing his national service stint. Pray for the well-being of Lydia and Leesa, his daughters, as they are currently doing their overseas and polytechnic studies respectively.
Testimony
Prayer Changes Things ~ by Pastor Jose, a village pastor in Timor-Leste.
When Pastor Jose was a pre-believer, he worked in a restaurant while his family are farmers. One day, a missionary came into the restaurant and shared the Word of God with him. His heart was hard then and he did not accept the Lord.
That night, he went home and his younger brother was very sick. He was very distressed and he did not know what to do. Then he remembered the missionary’s words: “God can heal, we just need to pray.” So he held his brother’s hand and prayed a simple prayer for God to heal him. He prayed in his heart because he was afraid. Miraculously, his brother got better and was healed. That night, he accepted Christ as his Lord, and he felt an indescribable joy in his heart. The next morning, he told his wife but she was very against it. She refused to accept it and asked for a separation. He was devastated and very sad. So he prayed to God for a way out. Then one night, a divine figure that looked like a priest appeared to her in a dream and asked her for Jose. She responded, “I am his wife, you can talk to me.” But the divine figure continued to ask for Jose. She asked, “Why are you not talking to me?” The divine figure said, “I don’t know you, I only know him.” Then she realised the significance of knowing Jesus. Next morning, she told Jose. Jose then brought his wife and children to meet other believers. And they accepted Jesus into their lives and received salvation. When they went back to work in the fields, Jose asked his friends whether they knew Jesus and he shared with them. Now, many people in his area know the Lord and he is their pastor! Praise God!
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