Prayer Letter - 3 May 2005

To: Prayer Partners
From: Pastor Lucenay

The Christmas story says of Mary, the mother of Jesus, She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19). As we approach Mother’s Day, let us think about the way we pray for those who treasure memories of us or of our children in their hearts. Mother’s memories of a child begin before the birth of the child. Mother’s prayers for the child begin before the child takes the first breath. The longing for a healthy baby and a good life for the new one stirs from deep within. As we pray for our mothers and the mums among us, let us lift these special people to God in prayer.

As we pray for our mothers we present them to God and

• ask God to help them know the blessings of a deep and vibrant faith in Jesus Christ
• thank God for their care for us when we were too small to care for ourselves
• ask God to speak to them with clarity and give them inner peace
• thank God for the comfort they gave us in our tearful moments
• ask God to give them forgiveness for their mistakes, deliberate and accidental
• thank God for the love they extended to us when we did wrong accidentally and on purpose
• ask God to give them patience with our generational differences
• thank God for the patience they exhibited as they taught us the way of life
• ask God to reach out to them in kindness
• thank God for the kindness we experienced through them
• ask God to give them self-control as they face the uncertainties of age
• thank God for the self-control they instilled in us
• ask God to touch their memories with goodness
• thank God for the good memories they have given us
• ask God to help them see good and focus on God’s blessings the rest of their days
• thank God for the good we are able to see in them
• ask God to fill them with His good hope
• thank God for the hopes they built into us
• ask God to meet their spiritual, physical, emotional and relational needs
• thank God for the help they gave us in our times of need.

As we pray for our own journey with our mothers, we realize that we have memories as well. The recollections stored in our hearts will vary. However, in our living relationship with Jesus Christ, we ask God to help us make the most of the best and the least of the worst in our own private histories. Let us invite God to help us to live out His admonition, Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8). Since we are children of God, our view of these things is colored by the way our redeemer, Jesus Christ, looks at us…through eyes focused more on what we can be through His power than on what we have been in our weakness. Dare we ask God to help us see mother as Jesus sees her? Yes. We can invite our Savior to teach us to pray for her. Father, show me what you want me to lift to you in prayer in my mother’s life today. Listen. Pray.

The people who are ill often have time to review the things treasured in their hearts and ponder the meaning. We pray that God will draw them closer to Himself in their time of sickness.

We are also praying for many people who do not know Jesus Christ. This week we are praying for pre-believing family members and friends. Pray that Christ will come to life in their hearts. Let us also pray for the people who attend our church and do not know Jesus as Savior.

Many people are always coming and going to and from Hong Kong. This week is no different. Think about the people who have been among us in our faith family who are preparing to leave to live elsewhere. Pray for God’s guidance in their transition. You may think of some who have been away for some time. Ask God to show you how to pray for them. Others are coming this way. We may or may not know who they are. Let us pray for God’s guidance in the newcomers’ lives.

The Hong Kong legislative body will be debating an anti-discrimination law soon. Pray for God’s guidance in the outcome of this debate. God certainly loves all people. However, God’s Word does not approve of all practices. We ask God to guide our law-makers to allow us to preach the whole Word of the Lord.

Every week different individuals and families are facing heartache. Think of the families you know who need God’s guidance, God’s hope, and God’s help in their lives. Seek God’s touch in their lives.

Thank you for your prayers. God bless.