Prayer Letter - 22 August 2005

To: Prayer Partners
From: Pastor Lucenay

Last week our readings in Romans reminded us to live under the control of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5, NIrV). The next verse reminds us the mind controlled by the Spirit brings life and peace (8:6, NIrV). As you contemplate these words, is your heart at peace with God?

Recently, I was scanning an old book by C. Roy Angell. He quoted a snippet worth remembering.

For every evil under the sun
There is a remedy or there is none.
If there is one, seek till you find it;
If there is none, never mind it. (C. Roy Angell, Iron Shoes)

Jesus put it this way; do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34, NIV). And Paul admonishes us Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6, NIV). Yet, so many of us worry.

The world often pours worrisome things into our cups. We stir these potential troubles with our minds until our hearts are filled with clouds of despair. Yet, God’s Word challenges us to Live under the control of the Holy Spirit and promises those who do a mind controlled by the Spirit brings life and peace. How do we find this peace? How do we submit to the mastery of the Holy Spirit? Isaiah prayed you will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3, NIV).

I know I could spend my time worrying about one son’s travel; a daughter’s pregnancy, and my youngest son’s daily encounters with rather large bears. Though many have much greater difficulties than these, these could grow in my mind were I to focus on them. However, like faithful parents before me and those who will follow me I must place these young adults in God’s hands. What is true with my children is true with the other aspects of life. Worrying doesn’t change anything but me. And the changes worry brings in me do not give glory to my Savior

Thus, I must make the choice to turn the reins of my mind over to the Lord, rather than the anxieties of life. Sometimes this is easier than others. However, the discipline of putting life in God’s hands when the waters of life are calm sure helps me live under the Spirit’s control when the storms come.

If you were to stack up your worries next to your thoughts about God’s presence, love and power in your life, would your anxieties overpower the Lord or is the Lord the Master of your struggles? Think though your prayers. Have your worries dominated what you say to the Lord? Or have you opened yourself to the Lord and allowed Him to speak to your listening heart? How are you experiencing the Lord’s peace in your heart as you face today’s issues?

Sometimes God uses His Word to reveal a place in our lives where we have been less than what He would have us be. If worry or anxiety is such a place in your life, this is a good time to confess your sin. Jesus will forgive you. And He promises my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV). None of us can expect to harbor sin in our lives and at the same time live lives under the control of the Holy Spirit. So shed the sin and serve the Savior in the power of the Spirit.

Some of our students have begun to return to various parts of the world in pursuit of their studies. Others will be leaving or arriving soon. Pray for the students and for the teachers as they prepare for a new school year. Pray that they will grow in their faith even as they do the best they can in their studies. Pray for God’s guiding hand in their lives even as you ask the Father to meet their needs.

The last few weeks we have celebrated the salvation of many people. God continues to move among the nations represented here in Hong Kong. Pray for these new believers as they grow in their faith. Pray for them as they share their faith. Pray for those who are exposed to the gospel through the changed lives of these new believers.

Among us are many who do not know Jesus as Savior. As you prayer for pre-believers ask God to send His witness to: family members, friends, co-workers, team members, classmates, church attendees, and the people you encounter. Invite God to witness through your life with words and actions.

Please pray for our worship services. God always brings pre-believers to our gatherings. God always brings unchurched people to our services. And God brings members who are experiencing many different challenges in life. When we come together we need one another. We need to see caring faces, hear encouraging words, build friendships, and share our lives. We need to sing our praises, open our hearts in prayer, give of our tithes and offerings, and encounter God in the preaching and teaching of the Bible. We need to experience the movement of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and allow God to make the adjustments in us that need to be made. We need to listen and speak, see and hear, accept and be accepted. And we need to cover these worship encounters with prayer. God can and will make an extraordinary difference in our lives and in His church when we open ourselves to Him.

Our ongoing prayers include: the need for a minister of youth, the need for a minister of education (after Mr. Coates leaves in December); the need for a kindergarten principal; God’s wisdom for addressing our space challenges; God’s guidance in our chapels; and God’s leadership in being all God wants KIBC to be in today’s world.

Pray for the church staff as they seek to minister in our fellowship. The next two weeks Kitty will be away from the church office, so we need wisdom and ask for your patience.

This week Nancy’s mother, Jocele Holland, and her brother and his wife, Drew and Vicki Holland, are coming to Hong Kong for a visit. We look forward to introducing them to you and they are looking forward to meeting you and worshiping with us.

Thank you for your prayers. God bless you.