Welcome to the August 2026 Prayer Vigil!
Who am I and why do I have this body living in this time in history? Where was I and what happened before I was born and became conscious of the world around me? Why am I here living this seemingly ordinary life which will come to an end at a time I do not know? Is this all there is, living this life and then die? Is there any significance to my existence and all that I have done or will do in my life? These are questions that might have surfaced in our minds at one time or another. They may bother us for a while and then forgotten when we return to our routines of life. They are important questions not to be ignored and we can find answers in the Bible.
As Christians we believe that God created each of us for His special purpose according to His divine will. God is a God of purpose, if we look at all the things in creation and how they all work together (Gen. 1:25). We have been created to take part in God’s all encompassing plan for the redemption of His creations in a world wrecked by sin. Before mankind chose to sin (Gen. 3), we were created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27), originally to steward and care for God’s creations (Gen. 1:26) and to reflect God’s character and authority.
Now as followers of Jesus Christ we have a new status and identity, different from the one damaged by sin -
We are new creations. (2 Cor. 5:17)
We have been set free from sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)
We have peace with God and safe from condemnation and punishment for our sins. (Rom. 5:1; 8:1)
We are confirmed to be God’s children. (Rom. 8:16; 1 John 3:1)
We are citizens of God’s kingdom and members of His household. (Eph. 2:19; Col. 1:13)
We are co-heirs with Christ to share in his glory. (Rom. 8:17)
We are chosen as a royal priesthood, God’s holy nation and special possession. (1 Pet. 2:9)
Christ lives in us. (Rom. 8:10; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27)
We are created to do good works. (Eph. 2:10)
While we are involved in God’s grand plan of redemption for His creation we are in a cosmic war against darkness and evil that is ongoing (Eph. 6:12). How should we go about living our lives with this purpose and meaning?
We are to live life knowing that we are loved and are to love. (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:9-10)
We are not to live life alone but are called to relationships. (John 15:12; Gal. 6:2; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Pet. 4:10).
We are to live life knowing that God is in control and we are to submit to Him. (Prov. 16:9, 3:5-6; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 2:13)
We are to live knowing that Christ will eventually return. (Matt. 24:30; John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:16-17)
We are to live life with the eternal perspective of resurrection, eternity with God and rewards. (Matt. 16:27, 24:35; Col. 3:23-24; 1 John 2:17)
We are to live with joy because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. (Luke 10:20; Rom.12:12; Phil. 4:4)
We are to live with the help and power of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26; Gal. 5:16, 25; Rom. 8:26)
Let us Pray -
Holy Father, Almighty God, thank you for revealing to me the truths in the Bible about life, it’s purpose and meaning. We thought we were gods but we are not and we thought we were masters of the universe but we are not. We thought we were masters of our own destiny but we are not and we thought we could become immortal but we cannot. Thank you for your mercy and steadfast love which I experienced through Jesus Christ whose death and resurrection has given me new life and hope. Please help me by the power of your Holy Spirit to live and complete the tasks you have planned for me while I am on this earth in accordance to your good pleasure that more people will be saved and your name glorified.
Continue in prayer for -
- Good rest, strength and the Holy Spirit’s guidance as Pastor Jon and Shelley visit IBC, arriving on July 30, to discern whether the Lord is calling Pastor Jon to serve here; pray also for their safe return to Texas on August 5.
- The Lord to guide and speak to IBC leaders and members in their meetings with Pastor Jon and Shelley.
- The Pastor Search, Personnel and Finance Teams, and deacons as they continue with all the preparation work required for the calling of a new pastor.
- The VBS in the coming week - pray in accordance to the VBS 2026 Prayer Card.
- Thanksgiving for Pastor Dominic and other speakers whom the Lord has graciously called to minister to IBC and teach us God’s word.
- The deacons, ministry leaders and teams, the church staff, Life Group leaders and Small Community Group hosts, that the Spirit will work through them to help the whole Body of IBC work together as one and grow in Christ.
- The Lord to raise up more leaders and discipleship makers in IBC so that we will be a community of disciple makers and prayer warriors to fulfill the vision and mission of IBC.
- Carlos and Analie as they continue God’s work in Hong Kong while they wait for the Lord’s call to leave Hong Kong at the appropriate time.
- Suzy Pelling in the Children Ministry and Amy Tong in the Youth Ministry.
- The missionaries among us and our mission partners as they work with IBC to reach out to the communities in Hong Kong and beyond; also, for our church members who reach out regularly to people in the community e.g. the prisoners and the homeless.
- The inmates of the Ling Oi Drug Rehab Centre, Lai Chi Kok prison and other prisons; the street sleepers in Sham Shui Po and Happy Valley; the elderly in Wah Fu Estate and Silver Mine Bay; that they may experience God’s love and receive salvation through Jesus.
- Our young people who are studying abroad (Mica Chan, Charis Yip, Miles Ling, Timothy Tso, Joshua Tso, Isabelle Roskell) or are planning their future (Nathaniel Yip, Emily Ling, Matthew Lam), for their protection and strengthening of their faith.
- Those we know who need physical, emotional or spiritual healing and care: Dave Kwok’s colleague Demi (recovery after stroke); Tony Mo (recovery from second stroke); Mike Ainslie (Alzheimer’s); Brian and Yun Xiang’s baby Hudson; Alice's brother in law Edward (treatment for rare illness); Thomas Lam (eyesight); Iris’ two sisters, Winnie and Teresa, and Jackson’s sister-in-law Alice (God’s grace in their fight with cancer); Stephanie’s father (eyesight and hearing); Frank’s brother Jan (glaucoma) and brother John (cancer); Ailin Iwan’s father Susanto Iwan in the U.S.(treatment for prostate cancer); Sandy’s father (Thomas’ father-in-law) in Shanghai (cancer treatment); Latika Paul in India (suffering from unusual hunger pangs at night).
- God’s grace, care and strength for Uncle Harold, Beatrice, Y.M. Chen, Kaushic’s mother and Alex’s father; continue to pray for Steve Metz, who is also recovering from a recent shoulder surgery, and his family members; for Vera Tong’s family (Vera passed away recently).
- The Lord’s strength, wisdom and peace for caregivers for the elderly or those with health or special needs.
- Non-believing friends and loved ones to be drawn to Jesus – Charlie Teo’s grandfather in Shanghai; Frank’s brother Jan; Kenneth’s mother and siblings; Terry’s son Joseph; Michelle Niem’s family members; Angela Arguelles’ sister and brother-in-law; Pansy’s husband; Stephanie’s parents and sister; Frederick’s mother; Ivy’s son and family; Maria Tanielu’s mother and family in Samoa; Charles’ brother William in Canada; Iris’ sister Winnie in Australia; Ailin Iwan’s parents in the U.S.; and Sandy’s father in Shanghai.
We lift up these prayers in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior!
[This prayer guide was prepared by Charles Ip]