(36) Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” (37) He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (38) Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
(39) Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
(40) Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. (41) “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:36-41 (NIV)
1. Lord, we are so often like the disciples, failing to keep watch and pray. Teach us to be more like Your son, being willingly submissive to Your ways and obedient till the very end. As we are approaching Passover week, may we be reminded of the price paid for the forgiveness of our sins and once more be very thankful for His salvation plan.
2. Praise Him for the new worship spaces that He is allowing us to have at 685 Sheppard Ave E. Praise Him for His grace, mercy and faithfulness to us during all these years leading up to finally occupy this new building. Praise Him for those who have sacrificially given of their time and resources towards the completion of the building. Pray for the remaining spaces still to be leased. Pray for our main tenant TDSB's planning and coordination to move in as soon as possible as their fitting out permit application has been granted. Pray for the opportunities to connect with the potential users of the services which will be offered.
3. Continue to pray for the Pastoral staff, Board of Deacons, and other leaders. Much still remains to be done. Pray that we will be faithful to fulfill the mandate given to us to go and make disciples of all nations. Pray for a clear vision to allow us to continue to move forward. Pray for the newcomers who will be visiting us in the new building, that they will indeed feel welcome and experience God's spirit at work amongst us. Pray for opportunities to minister in His name and touch people's lives in their area of need.
4. Pray for the Secret Church Live Simulcast, taught by pastor and author David Platt to be held on Good Friday. Pray for that opportunity to come together to receive extended gospel centered teaching and identify in a limited sense with the persecuted church.
5. Pray for the ESC spring retreat to be held April 25-27. Pray for our speaker Will Lee as well as those coming to the retreat. Pray for good interaction and opportunity to encourage and uplift each other. Pray for spiritual renewal and God's spirit to minister to everyone coming in a very personal way.
6. Pray for James Lam and the Adult Sunday School class " Mental health in the Christian community." Pray for increased awareness and understanding on how to provide practical support to those with mental illness and their families. Pray that we will become a community that really cares to the people around us with unspoken needs or issues that are very often stigmatized or misunderstood. John 13:34-35.
7. Continue to pray for our missionaries as many will probably get the opportunity during this Easter season to share the salvation message and proclaim that Jesus is indeed risen. Pray also for those amongst us who are contemplating missionary work for this summer or in the near future. Some of us might have been challenged at the recent Missionfest 2014. Pray for God to confirm the calling and to guide step by step.
8. Pray for those among us who are sick or have family members or friends who are sick and/or facing various testing or disappointments. Pray for ability to be there to listen and comfort and show God's love and grace. Continue to pray for Walton's full recovery as well as for Maria and Laura for God to continue to sustain them.
