2011 week 27

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

1. Vacation Bible School (VBS), Session 1 begins tomorrow for two weeks. Please pray for all the children. Ask the Lord to prepare their hearts and minds to receive the Bible lessons in a way that will draw them closer to Jesus. Ask for the Spirit to lead and empower each one of the counselors as they pour their lives into the children. Ask the powerful Lord to keep all safe. Pray for a fun and spiritually rewarding time.

2. Summer Conference: Please pray for good registration and attendance as the deadline approaches. Lift up the ESC speaker, Alex Philip, before the Lord for his preparation and ministry to us. Please pray for the Children’s program led by TOMI Ministries, and also the nursery/toddler and children’s helpers.

3. Summer Softball: Please pray for our church’s four softball teams – Harbingers, Ex Nihilo, Seraphs, and Pi. May the Lord give them a great season of sport and fellowship. Pray that this ministry will glorify God. May the players be drawn to Jesus through the testimony of their believing teammates.

4. Building Project: Please pray for the fund-raising which is at a critical stage. May the Lord bless and provide the needed target amount this year in order to continue the project. Please keep informed of the progress and lift it up before the Lord.

5. Please pray for our missionaries:
- Praise God for the Greniers who just returned to The Gambia, West Africa this past week. Thank the Lord for successful recent surgery on John's hand and for rapid recovery. Pray for smooth readjustment to life and resumption of ministry in The Gambia. Pray especially for the family as son, Jedidiah, will be separated from John and Alice this fall for the first time in order to go to school in a neighbouring country.
- Please pray for P,J,N & A as they prepare for to their move to East Asia in a couple of week's time. Ask the Lord to give them assurance, strength and perseverance during this very busy time of getting ready. May the Lord guide their family arrangements (e.g. schooling) in their new home base. Pray for P's close reliance on God and adjustment to the challenges of new ministry. Praise the Lord for the boldness and faithfulness of this family.
- Remember our other missionaries in various countries and ministries.
- Pray also for our short-term missionaries this summer: the three who recently came back from Africa, the Near East, and East Asia - ask the Lord to guide them as they continue to ponder God's future for them with regard to mission; the one who will be leaving for East Asia in a week's time - for spiritual preparation and also curriculum preparation for the anticipated work there.

6. Please pray for those among us, and family members of our brothers and sisters who are ill. Lift each sufferer and their families up to God in prayer. Ask the Lord to help them deal with the illness and experience the love of Christ in their midst. Pray also for those in our midst who have recently lost loved ones. May the community of believers stand by them, and may the Lord comfort them.

7. Please pray for those among us who are seeking work. Some are recent graduates and some have been looking for some time. Ask the Lord to provide, and to keep attitudes positive in order to persevere in the job search.