Prayers: May 8, 2022

Prayers

Always be joyful. Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thank you, God:

• for listening, that we can talk as much as we’d like to You.  Psalm 62:8
• for Moms, those present with us, those we miss, and those who love us like mothers do
• for the day that is coming when the victims of “the lofty” will tread in triumph over the ruins and rubble of their oppressors’ Isaiah 26:5-6 and believers will have a smooth path
• for prayers that cover us even when we don’t know how You are working through other believers on our behalf
• for colors popping up all over the place.  We are grateful You are so creative!

Pray:

• for those who are ill
• for those who are homebound or hospitalized
• for Eva, Pastor Charles’ niece, who is making small improvements as doctors move her out of comatose state during COVID treatment.  Pray for others who are still being infected or quarantined due to COVID.
• that seeds of faith may be planted in the hearts of those who receive an invitation on Mother’s Day from the Cantonese ministry to come to know Him
• for strength and wisdom for mothers of young and school-age children, that they will be able to raise godly children despite all that is ungodly around us
• for perseverance and energy for ministry teams to plan and lead
• for planning of summer programs
• for patience when we are frustrated by how slowly things are happening; Pray for trust in God’s wisdom and timing
• for the nation’s leadership to do good rather than to look good
• for each of our family members, for their salvation, safety, and God’s peace in their lives
• for courage to share the Good News with others
• for those who are seeking – a job, a home, a friend to talk to, a place to serve in God’s kingdom on earth….
• that God will provide peace, comfort, and reconciliation for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Be with those who are anxious, fearful and bereaved.  We fervently cry out for an end to this conflict trusting in God’s mercy and compassion.

To Think About:

Some days are hard – we may feel sad, lost, in despair or in difficult circumstances, but when we surrender our situation to God, He can turn our wailing into hope, joy and peace.  We may not have the answers we hope for, but we can trust that God has more answers up His sleeve for our good than we can imagine – You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:11,12. When we don’t depend on our circumstances for our joy, but on God, we can be filled with compassion that infects others.

禱告事項

“要常常喜樂， 不住的禱告， 凡事謝恩。因為這是 神在基督耶穌裏向你們所定的旨意。”

帖撒羅尼迦前書 五章 十六至十八節

感謝神：

• 時時聆聽，讓我們可以在他面前傾心吐意。（詩篇 62:8）
• 讓我們有母親陪伴我們、讓我們想念母親，也有像媽媽一樣愛我們的人。
• 應許他的子民將勝過並踐踏曾經欺壓他們的人的瓦礫和廢墟，得勝凱旋在平坦的道路上。（以賽亞書 26:5-6）
• 我們有代禱的弟兄姊妹，即使我們不知道你是如何通過他人的代禱為我們成就您的計劃。
• 有隨處可見的五顔六色；我們實在是感謝你奇妙的創意！

祈禱：

• 生病的肢體和居家行動不便的弟兄姊妹滿有神的同在。
• 辜漢然牧師的甥女伊娃（Eva）治療新冠病毒感染的過程有明顯改善，在醫生解除了她的誘導昏迷狀態后，她目前的狀況略有好轉。也為其他仍因新冠病毒感染或隔離的人祈禱。
• 讓被邀請參加“母親節”粵語事工活動的人能前來認識祂，並在人心中種下信心的種子
• 有年幼和學齡兒童的母親有從神來的力量和智慧，撇棄我們周圍一切不敬虔的事物，使她們能夠養育敬虔的孩子。
• 事工團隊滿有能力和恆心去計劃和領導教會事工。
• 暑期事工的計劃順利。
• 當有事情緩慢的進展時我們要有耐心，願我們信靠神的時間和智慧。
• 國家的權力機構可以按照神的心意做好事而不是徒有虛名。
• 我們每個家庭成員都得到神的救恩、保守和神在他們生命中賜下的平安。
• 我們鼓起勇氣與他人分享福。
• 正在尋找的人，無論是工作、家、可以交談的朋友、在地上神的國度中服務的地方，都得上帝的眷顧。
• 神為我們在烏克蘭的兄弟姐妹提供和平、安慰與和解；願神與那些焦慮、恐懼和失去親人的人同在。讓我們迫切地禱告呼求神以憐憫和同情結束這場衝突。

思考：

        有時候日子很艱難——我們可能會感到悲傷、迷失、絕望或困難，但是當我們將自己的處境交給神時，他可以將我們的哭泣變成希望、喜樂和平安。我們可能沒有得到想要的答案，但我們可以相信，神有我們想像的更多的答案，都是為了我們的好處—— 你已將我的哀哭變為跳舞，將我的麻衣脫去，給我披上喜樂， 好叫我的靈歌頌你，並不住聲。耶和華我的神啊，我要稱謝你，直到永遠！（詩篇 30:11,12）  當我們不依賴環境而是信靠上帝來得喜樂時，我們就會充滿愛心，感動他人。