Category: 2019 Prayers

God who Cares for the Lost

Luke introduces the ministry of
Jesus with three preparatory events:
the ministry of His forerunner
John the Baptist, His baptism by
John and His temptation by Satan.
Rejection in His hometown of
Nazareth causes Jesus to shift
to Capernaum where He ministers
for two years. There Christ calls
12 men to be His companions. And
there by the shores of Galilee He
begins to prepare them for ministry
He will soon entrust to them.

Lord, we will Care for the Lost:
Jesus said: Now go out where it is
deeper & let down your nets. Simon
answered: Master, we’ve worked
hard all night and haven’t caught
anything. But because you say so,
I will let down the nets. When they
had done so, they caught such
a large number of fish…Then
Jesus said to Simon: From now
on You will catch men (Lk 5:4-10)
Healthy people don’t need a doctor
– sick people do. I have come to
call sinners to turn from their sins,
not to spend my time with those
who think they are already good
enough (Luke 5:31-32). Amen.

Lord, let us learn from Simon Peter
where obedience to Your voice
opens our lives to Your miraculous
work and receive Your blessing.
Open my ears Lord to hear Your
voice in my current circumstance.
Help me emulate the prophet
Samuel and say with him: Speak
for Your servant is listening. Amen.

Lord, we will join You in ministry
to further the kingdom of God.
Help us to befriend sinners,
and give us heart of compassion
for those hurting and lost in sin,
so that we can reach out to them
effectively in time of opening.
Help us readily receive Your Word,
apply it & be obedient to You. Amen

Lord, Thank You for shedding light
to show me that I needed You the
Great Physician to heal my wound.
Thank You Lord for calling me to
repent and come to You and for
Your tender mercies in my life.
Give me Your heart for those who
are hurting, sick & lost in sin, just
as Your heart reaches out to me
in my time of greatest need. Amen.

Christ With Authority For Us

Luke introduces the ministry of
Jesus with His baptism by John
the Baptist & temptation by Satan.
Christ’s genealogy ties Him to
David the king, Abraham the
patriarch and Adam the first man.
Rejection in His hometown of
Nazareth causes Him to shift to
Capernaum where He ministers
for two years. There Christ calls
12 men calls 12 men to be His
travelling companions. And there
by the shores of Galilee He begin
to prepare them for ministry
He will soon entrust to them.

Lord,we’re amazed by Yr Authority:
Jesus was led by the Spirit in
the desert, where for 40 days he
was tempted by the devil. He ate
nothing those days and was hungry.
The devil said to him: If you are
the Son of God, tell this stone to
become bread. Jesus answered:
It is written: Man does not live
on bread alone. (Luke 4:1-8).
Jesus came to Nazareth & went into
the synagogue on Sabbath & said:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
to preach the gospel to the poor,
to heal the broken-hearted…
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those oppressed,
to proclaim the acceptable year
of the Lord (Luke 4:16-19).
Jesus went to Capernaum & taught
in the synagogue… The people
were amazed at the things he said
because he spoke with authority..
Amazed the people exclaimed:
What authority & power this man’s
words possess (v31-36) Amen.

Lord, the enemy is strong and
sinister; but You are stronger.
Grant us the grace to recognise
the attacks of the enemy and
the strength to spurn his offers.
Knowing Your word is an effective
weapon against wily temptation.
Help us use Your word effectively,
have the faith in Your promises
and the grit to be steadfast. Amen

Lord, restore my sense of wonder
as I look for You in my daily life.
I want to be like those who heard
You teach and were amazed at
the things You said. Open my
spiritual eyes to see that You are
working in the world around me.
May I be filled with wonder at Your
great deeds. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Lord, we realise there will be
pressures & temptations of life.
Help us to Serve Your purpose
despite uncertainties and risks
by increasing our faith in You.
Help us to be Obedient to Yr will
ever concerned with heavenly
Father’s affairs, while carrying
out our earthly responsibilities.
Help us to Resist the devil by
knowing & obeying God’s Word
And grant us faith to stand firm.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of the Impossible (July 12)

Dr Luke – physician, historian and
writer of the longest gospel account
clearly states his purpose for writing
in the opening verses of his book.
That thou might know the certainty
of those things, wherein thou hast
been instructed (1:4). He begins
with the details surrounding the
miraculous birth of two remarkable
boys: John the forerunner,
and Jesus the Messiah.

Lord, we Will Believe Your Word:
The angel said: Do Not Be Afraid,
Zacharias, for your prayer is heard;
your wife will bear you a son,
and you shall call his name John…
And Zacharias said: How shall I know
this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years…
But behold you will be mute until
the day these things take place
because u did not Believe my words
which will be fulfilled (Lk 1:13-20)
Lord, we Receive the Impossible:
The angel said: Behold you will
conceive in your womb and bring
forth a Son and shall call His name
Jesus… For with God nothing
will be impossible. Then Mary
said: Let It Be to me according
to Your Word (Luke 1:31-38).

Lord, even when things does
not make sense, remind me that
Your Word is the ultimate truth.
Even when my faith is weak
and hidden, Your promises can
bring it to pass out of hiding.
And I embrace Your promises,
even though they may seem
as impossible because You are
the God who can create new
things out of nothing. Amen.

Lord, there may be difficulties
in our lives that have lingered
far Too Long that they seems like
impossibilities. But when God is
involved, nothing is impossible.
For nothing is too difficult for Him;
& He prefers to work in impossible
situations where His attributes and
power are most visibly displayed.
Lord, help us not be discouraged
by the Long unyielding situations
in our lives. Help us endure the long
periods requiring faith & patience.
Help us to Wait and believe for nothing is impossible with U. Amen

Lord, help me not to focus on the
problem & be afraid like Zacharias
but instead to take courage
like Mary focusing solely on You.
I embrace Your promises like
Mary and rest the weight of my
circumstance on Your sure word.
Teach me to stop looking around
for answers to my situation, and
instead look up to You the Answer.
For after all You are the God of
the impossible and I rest in You.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

God Answers Prayers of Faith

The final week of Jesus’ earthly
life occupies more space in the
gospels than any other stage
of Jesus’ ministry. His arrival
in Jerusalem coincides with
the preparations for the Feast
of Passover. Though events move
quickly, Jesus is never hurried.
There is time to clean out the
temple,watch the widow contribute
her two mites and give final
instructions to the disciples.

Lord, grant us Faith & Grace:
As they passed by, they saw the
fig tree dried up from the roots…
Jesus said: Have Faith In God.
For assuredly I say to you, whoever
says to this mountain: Be removed
and does not doubt in his heart,
but Believes that those things
he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says. Therefore I say
to you, whatever things you ask
when you pray, Believe that you
receive them & you will have them.
And whenever you stand praying,
if u have anything against anyone,
Forgive him, that your Father
in heaven may also forgive you
your trespasses (Mark 11:21-26).

Lord, I have faith in You, the
Almighty, all loving faithful God.
And I believe that You reward
those who diligently seek You.
Lord, I place this issue before
You In Faith and Without Doubt
and seeking Your face and will.
Your Word says if I ask anything
according to Your will, You hear me
and I can have what I ask of You.
Into Your hand I surrender. Amen.

Lord, I come to You with my need
and desire, asking You In Faith and
claiming the promise in Mark 11:24.
Trust that the need is within Your
will; and implore You to reward
those who diligently seek You.
I know that in Your sovereignty,
You do things Your way & Your time.
But Father God, I plead for Your
mercy for it’s been such a long
time that I have been asking You.
So grant me Your favor and favour
of men as soon as possible. Amen.

Lord, I don’t want Your Presence to
be quenched due to unforgiveness.
I don’t want to hinder Yr forgiveness
because I’ve not forgiven someone.
Instead I want to receive Yr blessing
because I have forgiven someone.
Reveal any place in my heart where
I have not yet forgiven someone.
And create in me a forgiving spirit
that sees others as You do. Amen.

Managing God’s Household (Jul 11)

Context: Timothy, a young disciple
discovered by Paul on his second
missionary journey, enjoyed a
unique relationship with the apostle.
Referred to by Paul as his “beloved
son”, Timothy ministered alongside with Paul as a missionary and later received the challenging assignment of pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s first letter resembles a manual
for building church leadership and
principles to impact lives of others.

Dear Lord, we realise that right
behaviour, discipline & commitment
are critical for anyone who serves.
Help us manage Your household
by knowing Your Word, obey it and
help us be committed to Christ.
Help us Be Example of You Lord;
Help us Honour our Elders; and
Help us Fight the Good Fight. Amen.

Lord, we aim Be Example of You:
Be an example to all believers
in what you teach, in the way
you live, in your love, your faith,
and your purity… Give attention
to reading, to exhortation,
to doctrine. (1 Tim 4:12-13).
Lord, help me not to shy away from
using the gift that You’ve given me.
And make me Lord an example
of Your love, faith and purity.
Thankful that Your opinion of me
is more important than anyone else.
And that the work You accomplish
through me is effective whether
in my gifting or in my weaknesses.
For my weaknesses cause greater
dependence on You. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Honour Parents & Elders:
Learn to show piety at home and to
repay their parents; for this is good
and acceptable before God(1Tim 5:4)
Elders who direct the affairs of the
church well are worthy of double
honour, especially those whose
work is preaching & teaching (v17).
Lord, thank You for gift of children &
give all parents the wisdom to teach
their children in lovingkindness.
And may the children honour their
parents in gratitude for all they have
done for them. Help them realise
their faithfulness will be rewarded
by God that all be well with them.
Lord, grant our lay leaders and
those in vocational ministry joy,
wisdom, passion and courage.
Grant them the power through
Your Holy Spirit and faithful support
of those involved in the local church.
Provide for their needs and grant
them resolve to minister especially
when the going gets tough. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Fight the Good Fight:
O man of God, flee these things &
pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith.
Hold tightly to the eternal life
that God has given you, which
you have confessed so well before
many witnesses (1Tim 6:11-12).
Lord, I realise the road ahead is
not easy; but I purpose to hold fast.
Help me not grow weary in battles
but instead seek You continually
to fight the good fight on my behalf.
Grant me Lord faithfulness and perseverance to stay the course.
And Thank You for Your promise of
eternal life in Your presence. Amen.

Having Right Belief & Behaviour

Context: Timothy, a young disciple
discovered by Paul on his second
missionary journey, enjoyed a
unique relationship with the apostle.
Referred to by Paul as his “beloved
son”, Timothy ministered alongside with Paul as a missionary and later received the challenging assignment of pastoring the church at Ephesus.
Paul’s first letter resembles a manual
for building church leadership.
More generally, it is a rich mine of principles for anyone who wishes
to have impact in the lives of others.

Dear Lord, we realise that right
beliefs and right behaviour are
critical for anyone who desires
to lead or serve in the church.
Help us know Your Word, obey it;
and be wholly committed to Christ.
Help us Hold On to Your Word;
Help us Pray together in Unity;
Help us Be Above Reproach. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Hold On to Your Word:
(Paul wrote): Timothy my son,
here are my instructions for you,
based on the prophetic words
spoken about you earlier. May
they help you fight well in the
Lord’s battles; having faith and
a good conscience (1Tim 1:18-19)
Lord, with all the distractions and
obstacles that may come against
us, it will be difficult to stay on
a direct course or have the energy
to keep following the Master.
When the going gets tough,
I purpose to cling to what You
said into my life. I won’t depart
from it, no matter what the
contradictions I hear or think.
Help me to keep focused & pursue
the calling You have given. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Pray Together in Unity:
Therefore I exhort first of all
that supplications, prayers,
intercessions & giving of thanks
be made for all men (1Tim 2:1).
I want men everywhere to
lift up holy hands in prayer,
without anger or disputing (v8).
Lord, we realise that sometimes
Christians quarrel among ourselves.
We get caught up in unimportant
debates and useless arguments.
So Lord help us to be so devoted
to You that we maintain oneness
of the Spirit, even if we disagree
on certain things. I pray we will
be unified in our belief in Your
Word so that we will be unified
in our prayers before You. Amen.

Lord, we aspire Be Above Reproach:
A bishop then must be blameless…
temperate, sober-minded,
of good behaviour, hospitable,
able to teach… not violent,
not greedy for money, but gentle,
not quarrelsome, not covetous…
Likewise deacons must be reverent,
not double-tongued… not greedy
for money, holding the mystery
of the faith with a pure conscience.
But let these first be tested…
being found blameless (1Tim 3:2-10)
Lord, I want to be above reproach,
temperate, self-controlled,
not quarrelsome, not violent but
gentle, and not a lover of money.
Give me Lord understanding heart
to distinguish right from wrong.
Give me humility, meekness,
patience and charity. And give
me Your love and Your grace
so that I can serve You well. Amen.

1&2 Timothy, Titus & Philemon

We start the Gospels, with
Matthew who presents Jesus as
the Christ, Israel’s messianic King.
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant
who gave his life for mankind.
Luke presents Him as the perfect
Son of Man saving the lost.
And John presents Jesus as
Son of God offering eternal life.
We have also covered Acts which
chronicles Growth of the church.

Turning to the Pauline epistles:
In Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.
And First and Second Corinthians,
Living for Christ in corrupt society.
In Galatians, Paul calls Christians
to faith and freedom in Christ.
In Eph,Paul strengthens believers by
explaining the purpose of the church.
In Philippians, Paul shows true joy
comes from Jesus Christ alone.
In Colossians, Paul shows believers
have everything they need in Christ.
In Thessalonians, Paul encourages
the church to persevere in midst
of persecutions; and not be weary
in doing good before Christ returns.
Next, we will meditate on Pauline
pastoral epistles over 3 weekends.

ITimothy: Timothy a young disciple
discovered by Paul on his second
missionary journey (Acts 16:1),
enjoyed a unique relationship with
the apostle. Referred to as his
‘own son’ in the faith, Timothy
ministered side by side with Paul
as a missionary and later received
the challenging assignment of
pastoring the church in Ephesus.
Paul’s first letter to him resembles
a manual for building church
leadership. More generally, it is
a rich mine of principles for anyone
who wishes to have a spiritual
impact in the lives of others.

2Timothy: Paul’s life is drawn to
a lonely close in a Roman prison
as he writes to encourage Timothy,
whom he refers to as his ‘own son’
in the faith. Timothy has ministered
side by side in mission endeavors
with the apostle, but now he faces
new challenges as pastor of the
church at Ephesus. Paul’s first
letter offers instruction and advice
for building strong leadership
within the congregation and lays
down principles for those who
want a ministry of discipleship.
Underlying each theme is the
importance of God’s Word
as the foundation for living.

Titus lived on Crete, the largest
island in the Mediterranean
and worked among a people
who collectively had one of the
worst reputations in the world.
Paul had left Titus to oversee the
growth of the church there and
now writes to encourage him in
that difficult task. In order to promote
sound teaching and offset false
doctrines that were in the rise,
Titus is told to appoint and
train spiritual leaders as elders.
Paul’s short letter is a summary of
Christian doctrine that emphasises
holy living and encourages all
to live worthy of the gospel.

Philemon: On the run after committing a wrong against his master, Onesimus the slave sought
refuge among the masses in the city
of Rome. There he crosses Paul’s
path and converts to faith in Christ.
Though he shows his gratitude by
serving Paul, he still must reconcile
with his master Philemon. Paul writes
this letter to Philemon asking him
to forgive Onesimus, the bearer
of the letter, and to accept him as
a brother in Christ.This short epistle
reminds believers of our heavenly
Father’s love and forgiveness.

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of the Gospel according
to Mark is to portray Jesus as
a Servant and as a Redeemer.
This week we understand God better
thru knowing His attributes, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from Mark 4
about God’s Word Is Trustworthy.
On Tuesday, we learn from Mark 6
about God who is Compassionate.
On Wed, we learn from Mark 8
about Christ the Bread of Life.
On Thursday, we learn from Mark 11
about God Answers Prayers of Faith.
On Friday, we learn from Mark 14-16
about Son Obeys the Father’s Will.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Christ Obeys the Father’s Will

The time has come for Jesus
to demonstrate the full extent of
His servanthood. For the Passover
Lamb of God, the long-awaited
hour has arrived. Conspired against
by His enemies – betrayed by one
close follower and denied by another – tried and finally executed, Jesus’
life of service seems to be finished.
But in the greatest of all miracles,
Easter dawn reveals an empty tomb,
setting the stage for Jesus to
commission His followers to
bear the glad tidings worldwide.

Lord, having thoroughly prepared
the disciples, your actions in the
Final Day on earth shows you are
Fully Obedient to the Father’s Will
to Give Yr Life as ransom (Mk10:45)
At the Last Supper, You said one of
you who eats with me will betray me
(M14:18) & yet You did not stop him.
You greatly desire to get out of
the intense suffering and yet You
went to Gethsemane to pray: Not
what I will but what You will (v36).
Thanks You chose to surrender to
the Father’s will in loving obedience.

Lord,at trial before religious leaders
You chose to remain silent when
false charges were thrown at You.
And yet when high priest asked:
Are You the Christ, the Son of the
Blessed? You said I am. And you
will see the Son of Man coming
with the clouds of heaven (Mk14:62).
At trial before political authority,
when Pilate asked: Are you King
of the Jews? You said: It is as you
say. And yet when Pilate asked
about priests’ false accusations,
You answered nothing (Mk 15:1-5).
In all Your previous encounters
where religious leaders accused
You of wrong doings You had
no problem defending yet this
time You chose not to do so?!

Lord, at the cross when teachers
of the law mocked You; He saved
others but He can’t save himself?
Let this Christ come down now
from the cross, that we may see
and believe (Mark 15:27-32).
You who Calm the sea (Mk4:39) &
yet chose to remain at the cross.
And then there was darkness over
the whole land for 3 hours (v33).
And You cried: My God, My God,
why have You forsaken me ?
Then the veil of the temple was
torn in two from top to bottom.
So when the centurion saw that
He cried out like this & breathed
His last, he said: Truly this Man
was the Son of God! (Mk15:34-39).
Thank U Lord for Yr love enduring
all the suffering on our behalf.
We love You in deep gratitude!

Lord, we purpose to Trust Your Word:
We note You appeared to the eleven
and rebuked them for their lack
of faith and their stubborn refusal
to believe those who had seen Him
after He had risen. Then He said:
Go into all the world and preach
the good news. Whoever believes
and is baptised will be saved,
but whoever does not believe
will be condemned (Mk 16:14-16).
Lord, with Your resurrection,
we have good news to proclaim
in obedience to Your commission.

Lord, You have good plans for us
and You fulfil promises. We learnt
from last three chapters of Mark,
You are fully obedient to Father’s
will. Whilst Your sacrificial love
is really lofty, we are challenged
to be more obedient to God
and His mysterious ways. Holy
Spirit, grant us grace to take up
our cross, trust U without doubt
and carry out our assigned tasks
out of love of You and others.
Whilst there may be challenges,
we know the Almighty, all loving
and all faithful God is on our side!
In Jesus Mighty name, Amen.