Welcome to the April 2024 Prayer Vigil!

In this prayer time let us meditate on some scripture passages about being “born again” because being born again is an essential part of being a Christian.

In John chap. 3 the Pharisee Nicodemus went to see Jesus in the night to find out about Jesus and Jesus taught him about the kingdom of God –

‘Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”’ (Jn 3: 4 – 8)

It is necessary to be born again to see the kingdom of God. Salvation and being “born again” go hand in hand. It is not something we can do for ourselves but is the work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot see the Spirit but we can see the effects of this spiritual rebirth in the life of a person.

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade....’(1 Pet. 1: 3, 4a)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is indispensable for Christians to have “new birth into a living hope” because our salvation is brought about by believing in the resurrection and putting our faith in Jesus as Lord of our lives. (Rom. 10: 9)

‘But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.’(Titus 3: 4 – 7)

Our salvation comes through “the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” whom we receive after we repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2: 38; Gal. 3: 14) It is a process which comes from the “kindness and love” of God.

By responding to God’s love which we get to know about through hearing the gospel message, being aware of our sins, desiring to repent and knowing that we can’t save ourselves except by trusting in what Jesus has done, we experience God’s grace and the reality of salvation and rebirth –

‘But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.’ (Eph. 2: 4 – 5)

‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Cor. 5: 17)

After we receive Jesus and are born again our hearts are transformed. We undergo a process of regeneration as the Holy Spirit works in our lives. After being born again, we would grow in our –

- desire for the word of God and understanding of spiritual truths.

- love for God and conviction that God is good and that he loves us.

- desire to know more about God and his son Jesus.

- communication and fellowship with God through prayer.

- seeing things from God’s perspective.

- delight in God for who he is, not in what we can get from him.

- desire to be obedient to God’s commands and not from just a sense of duty.

- love for others and having the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. (Gal. 5: 22)

- ability to forgive as God forgave us. (Col. 3: 13)

- humility and dependence on God’s grace and guidance.

- desire to do God’s work for his kingdom.

- freedom from worldly desires – ‘lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life’. (1 Jn 2: 16)

- freedom from temptations and fears.

Let us pray –

Heavenly Father, Almighty God, I praise you and thank you for your steadfast love, your mercy and your grace which allowed me to come to know you and be born again through Jesus Christ who paid the penalty on the cross for my sins. Thank you for your Holy Spirit whom I received from you and who is working in my life to transform me from a wretched and sinful creature into a person who is pleasing to you and living a life according to the purpose that you created me for – to be a source of pride and glory, and a witness to the world for you and your son Jesus Christ so that more people may be saved. Help me Father to grow in all aspects of my new life in Christ and thank you for always listening to my prayers and the prayers of others at IBC. Please look upon us with favour that we may be united as one body in your love and grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Eph. 4: 15)

Let us continue in prayer for –

- Thanksgiving to God’s guiding hand at the Annual General Meeting on March 24 and the atmosphere of oneness as one church family in Christ.

- The inmates of the Siu Lam prison who heard the word of God on March 30 and thanksgiving that God used IBC’s team to share the Easter message.

- The Alpha Course participants and the IBC team; for God’s word and his love to be expressed clearly for the transformation of the hearts of those attending.

- The IBC women’s retreat on April 13; for a fruitful time and for all attendees to benefit spiritually.

- Wisdom and discernment from the Lord for the Pastor Search Team to identify the one that the Lord has called to shepherd IBC.

- The Lord’s guidance for Carlos in his future direction and ministry.

- God’s guidance as we seek a children ministry coordinator.

- The youths who are taking public exams – Ian and Joy’s daughter Maggie, Terry and Samantha’s son Jo Jo, Raymond and Veronica’s son Timmy, Jeff and Samantha’s daughter Isabel; for God to guide them to follow His plans after high school graduation.

- God’s comfort and peace to be with Thomas Lam, Veronica, Samuel and their family members as they mourn the passing of Lena Lam.

- Those among us who need physical, emotional or spiritual healing and care; for Michelle Niem (treated for sarcoma); Cliff Tan (to walk normally after his stroke); Thomas Lam (healing for his eyes); Iris’ two sisters (for long term cancer remission and healing); Stephanie’s mother (protection from cancer recurrence); Quina’s friend Paula in California (treatment for cancer); Alice, sibling of Jackson’s sister-in-law (protection from cancer recurrence); Anna Chen’s niece, MeiMei, and her family (she is receiving care for terminal illness); for God’s grace, care and strength for Beatrice, Y.M. Chen and Herald Lau.

- The Lord’s strength and peace for family members and those who are called to care for the elderly or ones with health or special needs.

- God to work in the lives of non-believing friends and loved ones – Frank Lai’s brother Jan (who needs healing for glaucoma); Kenneth Lee’s mother and siblings; protection for Michelle Niem’s family members; Angela’s sister and brother-in-law; Pansy’s husband; Stephanie’s parents; Frederick’s mother; Mona’s colleague and neighbour Lily; Ivy’s son and family; Maria Tanielu’s mother and family members in Samoa; Charles’ brother William Ip in Toronto.

‘.... Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!’ (Rev. 7: 12)

[This prayer guide was prepared by Charles Ip]

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