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.