2013 Week 49

⁷During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  ⁸Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 5:7-10 (NIV)

¹⁰God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  ¹¹We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.  ¹²We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.  Hebrews 6:10-12 (NIV)

1. As we approach Christmas, may we all be reminded of the true reason for Jesus' coming on earth. May we be grateful for His salvation and offer our lives as a living sacrifice as a result of what He has done for us. Thank you, God, for your wonderful salvation. Make us willing and bold to share this Good News to others who have yet to hear or respond to Him and His grace.

 2. Pray that as we meet with other family members, friends, colleagues, we will indeed be able to share of His love and the hope that we have because of Him.  Pray for individuals or families who might be experiencing tough times or loneliness or grief during this Christmas season. May the God of comfort and grace be with them. May the Lord give us opportunity to be a source of encouragement as we come alongside them and uplift them in our prayers.

3. Please continue to pray for our Building project as it nears completion. The permit for occupancy for floors 1 to3, and the parking levels (the church floors) was granted on December 13.  Please pray for very speedy approval of occupancy permit for floors 4 and 5 (the tenant floors).  There are tenants who want to move in right away!  Please pray for good and suitable tenants and the remaining spaces to be leased on the 4th and 5th floor. Please pray for the completion of all the lease formalities and renovation procedures – this is very trying and difficult work for our Leasing Team. Pray for a break even on financial accounts on project completion. Pray also for the all the "after occupancy" administrative and financial details to be looked after.  “Tools need to be sharpened before work may be carried out properly.”

4. Pray for the pastoral staff, deacons, ESC Pastoral Team (i.e., Core Leaders) as we face many challenges for the upcoming year. Continue to pray for unity of vision and purpose as well as the ability to speak the truth in love. Pray for a servant attitude as they seek out to minister in His name. Pray for mutual understanding of each other and ability to use the gifts that He has entrusted to us for the furtherance of His kingdom.

5. Pray for ML (current class Sunday School Teacher) and the remaining classes on the study of the Book of Revelation. Pray that as we read and explore this challenging book, we will get a better understanding about God and his message to both the Church and the individual Christian as well as how to respond to present and future circumstances and live our lives accordingly.

6. Pray for the various relief agencies who are helping and coordinating all the efforts to reach out to those who have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Pray for all the families and individuals impacted by this tragic disaster as they mourn the loss of loved ones and/or seek to rebuild their lives. Pray for churches and other organizations ministering in His name, that they will indeed be able to reach out in love and help out in practical ways.

7. Pray for our missionaries as they seek to reach out and share about Christ during this Christmas season. Pray for creative ways to explain the meaning of the season and opportunities to share the salvation message to those who have yet to hear of the Gospel. Pray also for the speakers and all those attending the upcoming Cross missions conference in Louisville Dec 27-30th. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work to empower a new generation of believers to fulfil the Great Commission and fully dedicate their lives for His service.

8. Pray for our own personal spiritual growth as we reflect and ponder on what He has taught or shown us this past year. Pray for willingness to learn even from the mistakes that we might have made. Pray that as we prepare or set goals for the upcoming New Year, we will be in tune with His promptings and His guidance. Pray for those amongst us who are feeling weary or burnt out that we will find rest in Him and draw strength and seek encouragement from Him and His people.

2013 Week 44

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”   Mark 10:26-31 (NIV)

1. Pray for us to stay the course even if at times it seems difficult to follow Him. There is indeed a cost to pay but the benefits of being obedient and faithful outweighs the momentary troubles that we might face. Lord, grant us strength and perseverance to stand firm.

2. Continue to pray for the building project. Pray for the various permits to be issued as the occupancy date approaches. Pray for good cooperation with our construction company so that the project will proceed smoothly and be completed on time. Pray for God's grace for the rental spaces available to be leased soon.

3. Pray for the volunteers retreat (Nov 9) and the follow up afterwards. Pray for a spirit of unity for those attending as well as a deep desire to use whatever gifts He has entrusted to us for His service and the furtherance of His kingdom. Pray for clarity and unity of vision and purpose as well as willingness to work together. Church ministry theme for 2014 is "Live out Christ's way; Lift high Christ's name."

4. Pray for the Sunday School class taught by Maria Lee on the book of Revelation. Pray for diligence to do the homework assignments as well as a learning spirit to discern what God is trying to teach us through the reading and studying of this important book of the Bible.

5. Pray for the pastoral staff and deacons. Pray for unity and ability to speak the truth in love. Pray for a clear vision to be cast out for the upcoming year. Pray for ability to discern God's will and respond in obedience even in midst of hardships or opposition.

6. Pray for "Saving Sunday" and the opportunity to share our faith at the local mall. Pray for divine appointments and wisdom and boldness to share with other people the Gospel and salvation message. Pray for God to work in the hearts of people so that the seed sown will fall on receptive hearts and minds and bear much fruit.

7. Pray for our missionaries ministering in various parts of the world. Pray for  their protection as well as their families and continued wisdom in the relationships which are being built. Pray for continued zeal to make known His gospel. Pray for the local believers to grow in faith and be able to teach others and make disciples in their own community.

8. Pray for continued willingness to seek first His kingdom and surrender to His will.

2013 Week 40

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
    because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
    will come and worship before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
    you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.

                                  Psalm 86:5-12 (NIV)


1. As we celebrate  the Thanksgiving holiday, there is so much to be grateful for. Continue to praise God for his wonderful salvation and privilege to make His name known amongst all nations. Pray that we will indeed have the zeal to share the Good News to those around us who have yet to hear or respond to His call to repentance and forgiveness of sins. There is indeed none like Him and we want to bring glory to His name.

2. Pray for the smooth completion of the Building project. Main areas of concern still remain a "break even" on financial accounts on project completion ( pray for the remaining amount needed to be raised by the end of the month), leasing and suitable tenants, good cooperation with our construction company  and support and commitment from brothers and sisters. Continue to pray for the Construction Project Team and the challenges that they face on a daily basis. Pray for God to strengthen them both physically and spiritually and give them much patience and wisdom in all the decisions that have to made.

3. Pray for the pastoral staff, deacons, ministry group members, fellowship group leaders as they plan ahead for the year to come. Pray for unity of vision and purpose. Pray especially for Pastor Richard as the vision of entrusting to faithful disciples who will also be qualified to teach others is being cast out.  Pray for the passing on of all that we have learnt or experienced to a new generation of disciples of Jesus who will in return be able to carry on the task of  the Great Commission and commit to make disciples of Jesus.

4. Pray for our young people as they are being nurtured and trained. Pray that they will grow in their love and service to God and others. Pray for Pastor Allen as he prepares to come and minister amongst us. Pray for all the administrative details for visa entry and work permit that still needs to be resolved. Pray also for the fellowship group leaders and helpers that God will empower them  in their service for Him.

5. Pray for Sunday School classes in October and the emphasis on missions. Pray for our guest speakers as well as the sharing of our own overseas workers and short-termers. Pray for the Cross student mission conference at the end of the year and those contemplating to attend. May the Lord use all the opportunities to create a thirst in us to reach out to all the unreached peoples of the earth where Jesus is not worshipped as God and Savior.

6. Pray for those in need of Him right now whether spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally. Pray that we will indeed experience His healing power in various areas where we might be struggling or facing trials and temptations. Pray for reliance on the Holy Spirit to overcome or resist Satan as he throws his darts at us. Pray for discipline to listen to His guidance and willingness to respond accordingly and obey His commands.

7. Pray for the prayer ministry of our church that we will indeed rely on Him and seek His face and want His name to be glorified in our midst. Pray for a deep dependence on Him in all the circumstances or situations that we encounter everyday, that we will continue to put our faith in Him and not rely on our own strength. Pray for changes to continue to happen from the inside out and as we count the cost of following Him, we will indeed respond in a way that honours Him. Praise Him for His continued grace, mercy and faithfulness towards us.

2013 Week 36

Psalm 118:5-9; Psalm 118:28-29 (New International Version)

5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.

28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

                                 Psalm 118:5-9, 28-29

1.  Pray that we will indeed find refuge in Him through all the circumstances of life that He allows us to go through.  Praise Him for his goodness to us and his enduring love.  He is indeed our strength and our song and has become our salvation (v. 14).

2.  Please continue to pray for the building project as we are still facing many challenges.  Main areas of concern are still the financial needs, construction completion, leasing, and preparation of occupancy by NYCBC.  Please refer to the iPray building project newsletter for more updated info and prayer items.  Pray for the CSC fund-raising Music Night with Hong Kong celebrity vocalist, Agnes Chiang on September 23.  Continue to uphold in prayer the Construction Project Team as they deal with various issues that rise up on a constant basis.  Pray for wisdom and strength on how to deal with the various situations and for reliance upon Him at all times.  May His name be glorified as we seek to use this building for the furtherance of His kingdom.

3.  Pray for the 2014 Ministry group nomination process as brothers and sisters are being approached to serve in different capacities.  Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send in more labourers.  Pray for availability to use the gifts that He has entrusted to us to serve in the various areas of ministry.  Pray for faith and boldness to step in even when we feel weak or not fully equipped.  Praise the Lord for the many who are offering their service very often in " unofficial capacities".  The Lord who sees what is done in secret will be their reward.

4.  Pray for the ESC Adult School class taught by Paul Zung on Discipling our Emotions.  How do we wisely train our emotions so that we act and react like Christ?  Can one live faithfully while suffering from anxiety and depression?  Pray that as we hear each other's struggles, we will be encouraged to help each other in this area of discipleship which is often overlooked.

5.  Please continue to pray for our Pastoral staff, deacons and core leaders as they plan ahead for the fall programs and prepare for the challenges ahead as we step in a new building.  Pray for casting of a clear vision and deep reliance upon His Spirit to lead us on to the next phase of ministries.  Pray for renewed zeal and commitment to make His Gospel known and seize upon various opportunities around us for ministry.

6.  Pray for our missionaries as they too seek to respond to the Great Commission and make disciples of all nations.  Pray that they will continue to build redemptive relationships and minister to those around them both physically and spiritually.  Pray for an outpouring of God's spirit to bring repentance and open people's eyes to the simple truth of the Gospel.  Pray that the seed sown will find good soil and that people will be drawn closer to Christ and find salvation in Him.

7.  Pray for brothers and sisters enrolled in BSF this fall for the study of the book of Matthew.  Pray for God to reveal Himself to them in His Son and His Word.  Pray for diligence to make time everyday for Him and obedience to respond to the clear teaching concerning the principles of His kingdom and the future.  As Christ is being presented as King of all nations, may they choose to acknowledge Him as King of their life in all things and to confess this allegiance openly before others.

8. Pray for those in need of His comfort and grace right now amidst the difficult circumstances that they might be facing.  Pray for strength to stand firm.  He who invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him has promised us His rest.  Help us Lord to take your yoke and learn from you.

2013 Week 31

¹I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he turned to me and heard my cry.

²He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

    out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

    and gave me a firm place to stand.

³He put a new song in my mouth,

    a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

    and put their trust in him.

⁴Blessed is the one

    who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud,

    to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]

⁵Many, Lord my God,

    are the wonders you have done,

    the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

    they would be too many to declare.

                                                Psalm 40:1-5 (NIV)

1. The Lord does hear our cries when we wait patiently upon Him.  Pray for us to respond obediently to His promptings and to have the desire to do His will.  Pray that when opportunity arises, we will be bold to speak of His faithfulness and salvation (v 10).  May all who seek Him, rejoice and be glad in Him.  May He continue to be exalted within our midst (v16).

2. Pray for the completion of the Building Project as it comes near to its final stages.  Pray for the Occupancy Committee which has been busy at work.  The Lord is raising up a whole generation of brothers and sisters to walk the next leg of the race.  Praise the Lord for the dedication of the members on the different teams in moving the project forward.  The Lord who sees our hearts will surely remember their love for Him and His church.  Pray for a break even on financial accounts on project completion.  Continue to pray for the leasing of the available space in the new building.  Pray for good cooperation with our construction company, so that the project will proceed smoothly and be completed on time.  Pray also for all the necessary permits to be obtained to allow smooth workflow and completion of the task at hand.

3. Pray for Pastoral staff, deacons, ESC core leaders team as they plan ahead for the fall and cast the vision as we step into a new phase of our church history.  Pray for a renewed desire to fulfill the Great commission to therefore go and make disciples of all nations.  Pray for continued dependence on Him and willingness to take up the Cross.  Pray for renewal and power from the Holy Spirit.  Continue to pray for Pastor Richard  and Pastor Allen as they lead and shepherd the flock amongst the ESC.  May their Lord give them much wisdom and guidance.

4. Pray for VBS Session 2 which runs for two weeks until August 16th.  Please pray for the children - for good fun and meaningful lessons; may they hear and respond to the Spirit as the gospel message is presented by the VBS counselors and staff.  Please pray for the counselors as they lead the children.

5. Pray for the Adult Sunday School class and teacher Jonathan Li.  As we learn more about the Holy Spirit, may we be prompted to rely more on Him and experience His presence in our lives.  Pray for diligence to study ahead the material or topic which is being presented each week.

6. Continue to pray for our missionaries both overseas and those on home assignment.  Praise the Lord for the many short-termers amongst us who were able to share about  their  recent or upcoming overseas and/or intern experiences.  May the Lord continue to guide and equip them for further missionary work down the road whether locally or globally.

7. Pray for ministry group leaders and the nominating committee as it seeks to encourage new or existing leaders to serve in the various capacities with the gifts that God had entrusted to them.  Continue also to pray for the various team members who lead the worship each Sunday.  Pray that as a result of their ministry, the congregation will be drawn closer to Him  and experience His presence and comfort in a deeper way.  Pray also for the message that is being delivered from the pulpit each week that as a result of His Word being preached, we will respond accordingly.  On the 3rd Sunday of each month, there will be intercessory prayer going on at the same time as the worship service.  The prayer takes place in the area behind the sanctuary, accessed by the door beside the sanctuary organ.  Come join us...


8. Continue to pray for spiritual renewal both personally and as a community.  It has been mentioned by many lately about the importance of drawing near to Him and seeking His face.  Pray that we will indeed learn to prioritize our time.  Loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength indeed requires assessing what is more important vs. the urgent matters that sometimes demand our attention.  Pray that we will have the discipline and faithfulness to make time for Him.

2013 Week 27

⁴⁴Yet he took note of their distress

     when he heard their cry;

⁴⁵for their sake he remembered his covenant

     and out of his great love he relented.

⁴⁶He caused all who held them captive

     to show them mercy.

⁴⁷Save us, Lord our God,

     and gather us from the nations,

  that we may give thanks to your holy name

     and glory in your praise.

⁴⁸Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

     from everlasting to everlasting.

   Let all the people say, “Amen!”

      Praise the Lord.

                                Psalm 106:44-48 (NIV)

1. Pray for God's grace and mercy to be poured out in our church and our lives as we seek His face and cry to Him for our needs. Pray for a repentant heart for any who needs to turn back to Him. Praise Him again for His covenant to us through Christ. May His name continue to be glorified in our midst.

2. Please continue to pray for the Building project and the still many challenges ahead of us. Pray for smooth completion of the building and all the necessary permits to be obtained. Please also pray for our dearest brothers and sisters who are deeply involved in the building project. The workload is very demanding and challenging. They NEED our prayer support! Please give them the encouragement and ask them for specific prayer items. Pray for wisdom for the LST to work out mutually satisfactory arrangement for delivering leased premise to tenants for their interior construction to work. There are logistic and regulatory issues to work out. Pray for tenants' receptiveness and our wisdom to collaborate.

3. Pray for VBS. Session 1 goes from July 8 to 19th. Ask God to bless the children with fun and spiritual understanding, and enable the counselors to minister the good news of Jesus to them. Pray also for our Summer Conference which goes from July 19th to 21st. Pray for our guest speaker Rev. Louis Leung as he prepares and shares on the theme this year which is "Toward the Measure of Maturity". Pray for the revival meeting on Friday night and the messages to be delivered on the weekend. Pray also for Pastor Fanny and the Children's ministry for this year's retreat.

4. Pray for Timothy Chung's Sunday school class as he teaches on "The Story of God" since the beginning of time. Pray that through getting the overall picture, we will learn to love and fear God more, and also become more excited to be part of His mission to make all things new.

5. Continue to pray for our youth ministry as many of the leaders are seeking to encourage their peers in a deeper relationship with Him and also trying to reach out to the community around them through sharing of the Gospel and experiencing His transforming power at work. Pray for continued zeal for Him and wisdom from above to listen to those they are trying to share the Good News with. Pray for Pastor Allen as he settles down and prepares for his ministry amongst us in the fall.

6. Pray for our missionaries as they continue to build redemptive relationships with those who have yet to hear of the Gospel. Pray for boldness and wisdom to share of our faith in Him. Pray for the Muslim world and our Muslim friends during the Islamic month of Ramadan ( July 9 to August 7).

7. Pray for opportunities to be a light for Him this summer as we interact and mingle with relatives and friends in informal gatherings around a BBQ, outdoor activities, various festivities or get-together. Pray for a good time of rest and renewal for those taking some vacation time. Pray also for those amongst us in special need of His love, grace and comfort during this time.

2013 Week 23

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord and shun evil.

                                  Proverbs 3:5-7 (NIV)

1.  Pray that  we will continue to acknowledge Him in all our ways and trust in His sovereignty in all the circumstances of our lives.  Pray that we will submit humbly to Him and His ways, resist evil and fear the Lord.  As we come near to Him and humble ourselves before Him, He will come near to us and lift us up.

2.  Praise Him for all who attended the 43rd Anniversary and Fundraising Banquet.  Continue to pray for the outstanding financial need.  Pray for the various teams overseeing the construction project, leasing and fundraising.  May the Lord grant them wisdom, faith and perseverance in the various tasks that still need to be accomplished.  Pray for our dealings with the bank, and good cooperation with Fieldgate so that the project will proceed smoothly and be completed on time.  Pray for the many deadlines that we are faced with right now as well as the required permits to complete the work, particularly the permits for the sanctuary.

3.  Pray for the Pastoral team, deacons, ministry group members, and other leaders for unity of vision and purpose as we transition into a new building with many challenges ahead.  Pray for renewed commitment to the furtherance of His Kingdom.  Pray for a renewed desire to be a community that reflects His love and grace.  Pray for the Community Services Task Force as they share and consult with the ESC regarding plans to outreach to the community around us.

4.  Pray for Vacation Bible School for this summer.  Pray for all the counselors and various leaders.  Continue to uphold our new children's pastor and her team as they plan the various activities and outreach for the kids and seek to impart God's truths in these young lives as well as assist the parents in raising their children in the ways of the Lord.

5.  Pray for the Sunday School classes in June and the various guest speakers that we have invited.  Pray that as a result of their teaching and sharing, we will be more equipped and determined to share of Him to others as well as living out the truths of God's word in our own lives.

6.  Continue to pray for our missionaries as well as those from amongst us who are planning or are already on short term missions this summer.  Pray for adjustment to the new surroundings, ability to work as a team with other coworkers and opportunity to see God at work in their own lives and those they want to minister to.  Pray for lives to be impacted in a lasting way and for God's Spirit to be at work.


7.  Pray for those taking family vacation time.  May it be a  good time of physical and spiritual renewal with Him and each other.  Pray for summer opportunities to reach out or reconnect with our friends. e.g the Softball ministry, the Golf tournament on June 15th, etc.

2013 Week 19

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.  ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV)


1. Pray that we will continue to learn to live by faith and obedience as well as entrust every situation to Him. He is the One who sees the bigger picture of every challenge we have to face and whose promises we can rely on. Pray that our focus will be on Him and His attributes and  glory and that we will indeed put into practice all the things learnt from Him or His servants.

2. As the deadline for the completion of the building project approaches, pray for all the unfinished tasks that will need to be accomplished in the next few weeks. Pray for good cooperation with Fieldgate as well as with the architect and the consultants, so that the project will proceed smoothly and be completed on time. Pray for the leasing of the vacant spaces on the 4th and 5th  floor  as well as good progress in the design of the day nursery. Pray for our Church anniversary celebration and fundraising banquet on June 2nd. Pray for the outstanding financial need and the various avenues where we can participate in. Continue to pray for the Construction Project Team for their physical and spiritual wellness.

3. Pray for our Pastoral staff, deacons and other leaders as they seek to mobilize the congregation for the challenges ahead. Pray for good cooperation, unity of vision, humility and reliance on Him as well as guidance by the Holy Spirit. Pray for good stewardship of everything that He has entrusted to us and for His name to be glorified amongst us. Pray for Allen Hester as he wraps up his work in Seoul and prepares for his ministry amongst us in the Fall.

4. Pray for the Sunday School class taught by Pastor Richard on the Gospel and Work. Pray that as we explore biblical wisdom relevant to our question about work, we will find meaningful connection and integration between Christian faith and the workplace.

5. Continue to pray for our missionaries ministering in various parts of the world as well as those currently on home assignment right now. May the Lord continue to give them strength and endurance in the various challenges that they have to face as well as protection for their families. May the seed of the Gospel that is being sown fall on receptive soil and bear fruit at the right time . Pray for continued wisdom to reach out to the community around them. Pray also for our short term missionaries and those planning to go on a short term assignment this summer. May the Lord deepen their faith in Him and enable them to trust Him for future long term goals.

6. Pray for our own personal walk with Him and the way we can encourage each other to grow spiritually. Pray that we will continue to grow in love and faith as a community  and will continue to serve Him with the gifts that He has entrusted to us. Pray for more labourers and perseverance to stay firm in spite of challenges or opposition. He is so faithful and we can rely on His many promises. May He help us be willing to pay the price and leave a lasting legacy...

2013 Week 15

Made Alive in Christ
¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  ³All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  ⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV).

1. Praise Him for the mercy and grace made available through Christ. In Him, we have indeed been enriched in every way . Pray that He will keep us strong to the end so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God who has called us into fellowship with His Son is faithful (1 Cor 1:8-9).

2. Please continue to pray for the Building project and the Construction Project Team (CPT) who is overseeing all the administrative details and needs wisdom in the many decisions to be made. Pray for the Leasing Strategy Team and the urgent need of renting at least 50%  of the 4th and 5th floor. Pray for the relationship with Fieldgate as there are a number of delays and extra cost items to be resolved. Pray for the project to be completed in time by the end of June. Pray for the CPT to have wisdom and skills to negotiate fair and reasonable agreements and for controlling costs. Continue to pray for our fundraising needs. May God continue to touch people’s hearts to give and lend to the project.  Praise the Lord that the entire ground floor has been rented.

3. Pray for the ESC spring retreat to be held April 26-28. Pray for our speaker Angel Silva who will build on what he shared at last year's retreat about the cycle of sin. Pray for all the participants at the retreat that they will be able to find practical application in their personal lives. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work and for us to listen to His rebuke and/or His promptings. Pray for good fellowship and good conversations so as to edify and encourage each other as we get opportunities to share about what is happening in our lives.

4. Pray for the new initiative of encouraging  brothers and sisters to participate in intercessory prayer during our worship service  starting April 14th. Pray that as the worship team is leading the congregation in praise and adoration and the sermon is being preached, there will be a deep anointing of the Spirit to touch our hearts and minds and lead us to deeper revelation and understanding of Him, resulting in a deeper love for Him and others.

5. Pray for the ESC youth pastor search committee and the candidate, Mr. Allen Hester who was introduced to us last weekend. Pray for continued guidance and confirmation from the Lord regarding the decisions to be made. Pray for our youth that they will continue to draw strength from Him and trust Him in their daily living.

6. Pray for the Sunday School class on Journeying through Grief taught by James Lam. Pray for those in need of His comfort and grace right now. Pray for emotionally healthy spirituality as we allow Him to bring transformation in the deep places of our hearts.

7. Continue to pray for our pastoral staff, Board of deacons and other leaders as they mobilize all the congregations for the  challenges ahead. Pray for God to give them unity of vision, good spiritual leadership in managing God's household, strong faith and ability to endure and wait upon His perfect timing.

2013 Week 10

(7)I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.  (8)Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, (9)and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.  (10)His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (11)according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (12)In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  (13)I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.  Ephesians 3:7-13 (NIV).

1. Pray that we will indeed have boldness to continue to draw near to the throne of Grace and bring our petitions in faith to a God who listens to our prayers and is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.  To Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!

2. Pray for Church Expansion Project and the Construction Project Team (CPT) who is overseeing all the administrative details and needs wisdom in the many decisions to be made on a daily basis. All the latest updates are being made available in the bulletin inserts each week. Pray for the Leasing Strategy Team and the urgent need of renting at least 50%  of the 4th and 5th floor. Pray for the relationship with Fieldgate as there are a number of delays and extra cost items to be resolved. Pray for the CPT to have wisdom and skills to negotiate fair and reasonable agreements and for controlling costs. Pray for good physical and spiritual well being for all those working on the Church Expansion Project. Praise the Lord that the application for adding medical use for our building was approved by the Committee of Adjustment.

3. Pray for the Pastoral staff, the Board of Deacons and other leaders as they communicate details of the various needs of the Building project to the congregations. Pray for unity of purpose and vision. Pray for a strong faith and a heart of thanksgiving within the congregations as we prepare for moving in the new building to serve Him together.

4. Pray for the ESC Sunday School class on Evangelism taught by Josh Lau. Pray that it will stir up an urgency for us to have a passion for lost souls and verbally share the good news to those around us who have yet to hear of His salvation. Paul in Romans 9:2-3 (NIV) declares, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race.” Pray for commitment to pray on a regular basis for our “Top 5” or whoever God puts in our circle of influence.

5. Pray for renewed commitment and dedication to Him as we approach Good Friday and prepare for the Easter services. Pray that we will again be struck by the awesome love of Christ who paved the way for us to be reconciled to God. “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV). Pray for opportunity to invite friends and relatives to the special services and that their hearts will be receptive to the truth of the Gospel and the testimony of His people.

6. Pray for those who are getting baptized on Easter Sunday. Pray that as they take that step of obedience and publicly declare their faith in Him, they will be able to boldly share their testimony and be an encouragement to others. Continue to pray for those amongst us that are currently being discipled by more mature believers. Pray that as we all count the cost of being His disciple, we will learn to continually yield to Him and allow Him to be the Lord of our lives.

7. Continue to pray for those in need of His grace or comfort right now. Pray that they will keep their eyes fixed on Him and the eternal glory to come and be sustained by the amazing love of Christ who has promised us that He will never leave us or forsake us. Pray that they will be inwardly renewed day by day and for God's power to keep them safe in His hand.

8. Pray for our missionaries ministering in various parts of the world. Pray for protection for their families as well. For those seeking visa renewals, may the Lord grant them favour in all the administrative details to be looked after. Pray for continued wisdom in reaching out to the community around them and may the Lord continue to open doors of opportunities for the message of Christ to be proclaimed.

9. Pray for the follow-up of this past week’s (Monday to Thursday) evangelistic meetings “Honouring Members of the Catering Industry,” designed for people who work in the restaurant business.  Many attended the meetings at various churches around the city, with a good number turning from sin and putting their faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.  May our churches continue the movement by developing adequate follow-up, including providing church services and ministries suitable to the life schedules of people in the restaurant business.

2013 Week 6

    ⁴Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
    ⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  John 15:4-8 (NIV).

1. Pray for the smooth continuation of the building project. Still many challenges ahead but the Lord has been so gracious up to now. Pray for the Leasing Strategy Team as they seek wisdom and guidance in the many decisions they have to make. Continue to pray for suitable tenants, for smooth negotiations with those expressing interest. Pray also for our relationship with the bank and the leasing requirements. Pray for the upcoming property management needs. Please pray for God's guiding hand in all these matters. May the Lord continue to search our hearts regarding outstanding financial need and how we can continue to help out through the various avenues that are being offered to us to participate in.

2. Pray for the applicants that NYCBC is considering right now to fill the Children Ministry Pastor and ESC Youth Pastor vacancies. Pray for clear direction as feedback is gathered from those who have interacted with them and observed their ministries. Pray for church leaders and the respective search commitees to discern God's will and be guided by Him in the decisions to be taken.

3. Pray for those amongst us who attended Urbana Missions Conference. Pray for the follow-up to the commitments that were made. For those who have rededicated their lives to Him, may the Lord continue to help them in their spiritual growth. For those considering short-term or long-term missions, may the Lord continue to prepare the way for this to happen. As they go back to their routines, may the Lord continue to remind them  of the lessons learnt during the conference and impress upon them the desire to further His kingdom. May the Lord also continue to keep their faith in Him strong and stand firm as they go through various tests or trials and/or temptations.

4. Pray for the ESC as a community that seeks out to glorify Him as disciples of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may we continue to  love Him above all else and be a blessing to others. May He help us to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ to go make disciples of all nations. Pray for Pastor Richard, the ESC core leaders, the various ministry group members as they cast the vision for the year ahead .

5. Pray for those attending the worship services on Sunday, especially for the newcomers or those recent to our community. Pray for them to feel welcome and be able to meet with the Lord in a powerful way as a God who knows them by name and wants them to turn to Him. For those seeking a place to serve Him, may they also be encouraged to use the gifts God has given them to minister to others.

6. Pray for those in need of Him right now. May the Lord grant them the desires of their hearts in whatever way He chooses to be appropriate. May He help us to be submissive to His will. As we seek to glorify Him in our lives, may He help us yield His sovereign will and grant us strength and faith to keep trusting Him.

7. Continue to pray for the worship team members as they seek to lead the congregation in worship of Him. May the songs that are sung, the words of our mouth, the prayers that are offered in His house, the meditation of our heart be pleasing in His sight. Pray also for the preaching from the pulpit, that we will not only be hearers of the Word but also doers of it and that we will humbly accept the Word planted in us so that it bears much fruit.

8. Pray for our missionaries in the various parts of the globe. May God also give them fresh insights as they plan for the year ahead. May the Lord continue to help them in the various relationships or contacts that they are building. May God also keep their families safe and protect them against any warfare that comes up against them. May the Lord continue to use them to fulfill the Great Commission and help them strengthen the disciples they are making.