17 July 2006

To: Prayer Partners

From: Pastor Lucenay

The past few weeks the world news has been more than a little troubling. Today’s problems in the Middle East not only bring concern for friends and loved ones living in that area, but for the effect that conflict could have on the rest of the world. As nations war with nations and peoples on each side of the conflicts long for peace, we can only place our hope in the settling powers of the Lord. Isaiah wrote See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you. (Isaiah 60:2-4) Zechariah prophesied of the Lord He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:10) When God’s peace comes the Lord says, My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 1:11)

As we pray we ask God to help us face the reality of His presence in our lives. He is above everything that could happen to us, around us, or in us. We have no secrets from Him and neither does anyone else. Think about the Lord your God with whom you are speaking.

Let us invite God to shed His light in the darkness of our lives. Let us pray:

*Holy One, search my heart for secret thoughts that spread darkness in my soul.

*Loving Father, search my words for the stain of self-centeredness that reduces others to less than what they could be so I can be more than what I ought to be.

*Gentle Guide, show me the tripping points that await my blindness.

*Creative Friend, open my eyes to the possibilities You have in my challenges.

Sometimes I struggle to see the world around me because I am consumed by the issues in my life. However, God placed us in this world for purposes beyond our comfort. Let us ask God to lift up our eyes to see where He wants His light to shine around us. Frankly, if God’s name is to be great among the nations His name must be great among His people. Join me in asking God to help us honor His name in all we think and say and do.

As you pray for peace in the Middle East, ask God to help the leaders of these nations rise about the eye for an eye reprisals. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, communities, and a way of life. Together let us ask God to spare the world from a worldwide conflict. Then, ask God to help you honor Him in the way you handle any conflict that exists in your life.

We thank God for the wonderful ministry of the Kowloon Filipino Baptist Church. Sunday night their choir presented a beautiful musical “Fill This Place.” We were very pleased to see the church filled with people to celebrate our faith in music.

This week our people are putting together the final touches on Vacation Bible School. Pray for the many people who will be working in this ministry. Pray that God will give our people the opportunity to see older children come to Christ and pre-believing parents come to faith.

When I returned from the US on Friday night Lela was at the airport with Maik. I was very pleased to see both of them. Maik is prepared to give meaningful leadership to our youth and university students. Please pray for God’s guidance in his life; God’s protection in his relationships; God’s power in his witness; God inner peace in his heart; and God’s creativity in his approach to ministry.

Sunday I met S and D. They were married six weeks ago and they are here to “volunteer” in their service to Christ working with our children and youth for the next six weeks. Pray for this young marriage. Invite God to help them grow together in this ministry opportunity. Ask God to help them share their faith and see people come to faith.

Our church prayer requests include:

Salvation: A; T M; G; P; N; T; W; J; parents of the VBS students; unchurched parents of SS children;

Health: P’s dad; M’s mom; M’s mom; N’s mom; J; D; M F’s dad; B; E;

Personal Requests: the placement of children in the proper schools; the repayment of loans; employment applications; healing of marriages;

Church needs: we are preparing for VBS; seeking to lay a strong foundation for youth and university student ministries;

Filipino Chapels: Pastor Rudolfo; the preparations for the anniversaries of the chapels; for larger space for the Tuen Mun Filipino Chapel

Kindergarten: we are seeking some Christian teachers with QKT qualifications

During my visit to the US I visited with J D. Dr. D is a wonderful theologian/philosopher/pastor. He authors the work you find on the website: www.godissues.org. He will be with us in November to address a variety of questions pre-believers ask. Pray for him as he prepares and if you think of specific questions you would like to explore with him, write me and let me know what you want addressed.

When I returned, N remained in Dallas with her mom. Pray for N as these are difficult days for her and her family. She longs to return to Hong Kong, yet she is addressing some things at home that need to be addressed even as she tries to encourage her mother.

Thank you for your prayers and your wonderful spirit. May God give you a sense of His loving presence and His living peace as you face this week’s challenges.