2010 week 2

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

1. Please remember one another in prayer. It is a privilege to intercede for those in need. Our pattern is the saints of the Bible who prayed for God's people, and our Lord Jesus who prayed for before we came along, and who continues to intercede on our behalf before the Father. Ask God to make us a community of prayer, with prayer the foundational commitment of our life together.

2. Please pray for the ESC Adult Sunday School classes:
- January: The New Testament Book of 2 Thessalonians. Please pray for fresh understanding of the justice of God, dealing with deception, and living responsibly according to biblical teaching as we explore these concerns of the apostle Paul.
- February: TBA, but likely teaching on some key biblical doctrines. Please pray for confirmation of teachers and subjects for February and March, 2010.

3. Please continue to pray for our missionaries:- Please pray for CY who has just started in South Asia this week. She will be involved in literacy workshops and then settle into language learning. Pray for adaptation to a new environment, new ministry partners, and to new routines for daily life and ministry.

4. Please continue to pray for brothers and sisters among us who are looking for work and/or are otherwise dealing with the challenges of today's economic situation. Pray for endurance and hopefulness for those who are dealing with change, and looking for new work. May the Spirit help them to make decisions concerning their jobs, and perhaps their careers. Ask the Lord to grant guidance and peace as they depend on him.

5. Please continue to pray for the church building project:
- Praise the Lord! The bank loan has been approved! This is a major milestone which shows that God is at work among us. Glory be to his name!
- This means that the Building Committee will now turn their attention to getting the building permit, confirming the contractor, working with the MiniSkool on the timeline to vacate, working of getting ready to build, etc. Please pray for the next steps in the building project.
- Please pray positive and effective member participation for the ongoing "Piggy Bank" coin-saving project which will be run through the year.

6. Please pray for brothers and sisters among us who are suffering. Lift up those you know who are sick or suffering before the Lord. Ask for healing and comfort, and practical things such as help from others. Ask the Lord to move any of us to respond and be those helping hands.

7. Please pray for the ongoing need for godly leadership in our community. Ask the Spirit to guide us in relevant and meaningful leadership development (e.g. "Growing Leaders" course for 2010). Pray especially for the Spirit to help us discern and elect those among us who may serve as deacons.

8. Please pray for the church's budgeting process for 2010 ministries. The major discussion item at the January 24, 2010 Business Meeting of Members is the 2010 church budget. Ask the Lord to allow us to pass a budget that brings glory to his name, and which we will fulfill in order accomplish the purposes of God for us this year.

9. Please pray for CS's father, who is suffering from lung cancer. Ask for the treatment to bring physical healing. Pray also for his heart to be opened to the good news of Jesus Christ. Ask God to bless CS's family with his salvation. Ask the Lord to help the family deal with the illness and experience the love of Christ in their midst.