19 June 2006

To: Prayer Partners

From: Pastor Lucenay

Sunday we said “good-bye” to B and R S. Tuesday they head to the US and a new work in West Palm Beach, Florida. They will be missed for they are loved and appreciated.

When I was a boy one church I attended ended services with a word from the book of Numbers. I thought of those words today as I thought of the Starrs and the many ways they have contributed to the ministries of Kowloon International Baptist Church. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Who do you want God to bless today? How do you want to ask God to bless them? Take a few minutes to pray for God’s blessings on some people in your life.

Who needs to know the “keeping power” of the Lord? We are often faced with people who need to experience God’s security, to know the presence of the Lord as they walk in new places, difficult places, sorrowful places, and questioning places. I suspect you know several people facing such a venture right now. Take time to pray The Lord will keep them.

The Lord make his face shine upon you. May the Lord smile on you. All of us want to know the Lord our God finds pleasure and joy in us. Sometimes we do not feel loveable at all. Pray for someone in your life who needs to know the “smile of God” in his/her life.

My first reading of The Message translated by Eugene Peterson exposed me to a marvelous translation of Romans 16:20 Enjoy the best of Jesus (The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you-NIV). Do you have anyone in your life needing to see God’s great goodness at work in their lives? Pray for them.

I know how to make a mess of things. At times I wonder how the Lord could possible have enough grace to put up with me. But grace by definition means the unmerited favor of God. Who needs God’s grace today? As you pray for this person (these persons) invite the loving Father to meet them with kindness and raise them to a new place by the cleansing power of His grace.

When a person’s face is turned away from you, you feel ignored at best. When the Lord turns His face toward you, you experience strength in God’s confidence. So many people need acceptance in today’s world. There is someone in your life needing to know God’s acceptance. Who is that? Pray for them today.

And give you peace. Every day we encounter people who are struggling with a war in their hearts. Guilt, anxiety, pressure, or a thousand other things disrupt their hearts. You know some people who need the Price of Peace to grant a peace that passes understanding to them. Pray for God’s peace to settle in their hearts.

Our chapel pastor, Rodolfo shared with the staff that his daughter in law lost twins in a miscarriage over the weekend. This is the second miscarriage they have suffered. Please pray for God’s comfort in their lives at this time.

We heard from A F and she had a very meaningful experience at the Willowcreek Music Conference. Now she is enjoying some leave. Pray for her to get rested and refreshed.

Our Children’s Committee met and addressed many children related issues this past weekend. Then our Vacation Bible School staff met for more VBS planning. Pray for the VBS workers and for the children who will be attending this special week.

M F has written in anticipation of his arrival next month to serve as minister of youth/students. He is in the heart of Germany now, so life is a bit interesting with the World Cup games all around him. Pray for his visa application to be processed quickly.

As we pray for our church family let us raise petitions to God on behalf of:

Salvation: boyfriend to come to faith in Christ (S); parents to receive Christ (MC; RM; SN; others); parents of children in kindergarten and Sunday School to come to Christ; students in bible studies; Y W; L M; T; A; T; A; W; K; D;
Health: M T’s mom’ M M’s mom; N L’s mom; A’s dad;

Personal Issues: looking for a Christian employer (QT); debtors to repay their loans;

Church Ministries: the summer means different people will fill different roles in various parts of the church; Sunday School workers; worship leadership; greeters; those who worship with us;

Kindergarten Issues: the administrative staff; the teachers and assistants; caretakers; children; children’s parents; the search for principal (This is the week of the concert. S N will be leading the children in these concerts. H K will be encouraging the parents.)

Thank you for your wonderful prayer support and encouraging attitude. May God grant you His joy as you walk with Him.