Welcome to the November 2024 Prayer Vigil!

When we come before God our hearts ought to be filled with thanksgiving, gratitude and praise because of who God is and what he has done for us.

We are thankful for who God is because “God is love” (1 John 4: 8); his love is steadfast and endures forever (Ps. 107: 1); he is “the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Ex. 34: 6);

he is righteous and holy and just (Dan. 9: 14; Lev. 19: 1, 2; 2 Thess. 1: 6); he is light and there is no darkness or evil in him (1 John 1: 5; James 1: 13); he is the creator and provider of every good thing and he does not change (James 1: 17); he is the “rock” in whom we can trust and take refuge (Ps. 62: 1, 2); he forgives our sins and cleanses us when we confess our sins (1 John 1: 9); he has provided us with salvation through his only son Jesus Christ so that we will not be condemned because of our sins (John 3: 16; Rom. 8: 1).

We can give thanks in all circumstances because – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8: 28); and even when we “face trials of many kinds” we can know it will be for our good and so that we may not lack anything (James 1: 2 – 4) and those who love God and persevere will receive the “crown of life” (James 1: 12). It is no surprise then that the Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5: 16 – 18).

As God’s people let us be awareness of the grace we have received and that our thanksgiving will “overflow to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4: 15). As we come to the Lord in prayer, it will be good to think of the grace and goodness that we have witnessed or experienced in the past week or month and verbalize it in thanksgiving to God our Father. Think of three things in the past week that you are thankful for and pray to give thanks to the Father now –

Perhaps you were able to resist temptation by focusing and submitting to God (James 4: 7 – 10); perhaps you were able to bridle your tongue (James 3: 5) or perhaps you were able to comfort or encourage someone; perhaps you received wisdom from above (James 1: 5; 3: 17) or perhaps God has given you peace when you are mired in challenging circumstances (Phil. 4: 4 – 7).

Let us pray with thanksgiving for the following –

• Give thanks for the church retreat on October 11 – 12; pray that each person in IBC would make use of what was learnt at the retreat to connect with people outside the church with the gospel;
• Give thanks for the opportunities for new believers in our church to study the word of God; pray for those who have been baptized recently, such as Betty, Philip and Yin, and thank the Lord that they can do Bible study with Enoch;
• Give thanks that Kaushic can have three months medical leave from the Philippines with Dang to attend to his health issues in Hong Kong; thank the Lord that he can be in Hong Kong to also care for his mother Maya’s health needs; pray for God’s protection for their children who are in the Philippines by themselves; pray for healing for Kaushic and the Lord’s guidance for Kaushic and Dang for the future;
• Thank God that Kerri is settling in on her work as Children Ministry Coordinator; give thanks also that some children are being prepared for baptism;
• Give thanks that Carlos continues to lead the youth ministry and that Heidi is able to switch to the youth ministry from children’s ministry; pray for the Lord’s guidance for Carlos in his future direction and ministry;
• Thank the Lord that Isabel, Charis and Timmy are connecting with Christian groups in the universities they are beginning to attend; pray that they will find churches where they will grow in God’s word and in their faith;
• Give thanks for the Young Adult group and for Yuko who is ministering to the young adults; may the Lord continue to guide them with regular attendance in their Life Group and monthly activities;
• Thank God that the Ladies’ Fellowship had a fruitful retreat; pray for God’s continual guidance as they study God’s word and reach out to people outside the church;
• Thank God for IBC’s Small Community Groups in different locations in Hong Kong; give thanks for those who are hosting the groups; pray that believers who attend will be strengthened in God’s word and non-believers who attend will be drawn to Jesus;
• Give thanks for Pastor Rob, our deacons, ministry leaders and workers; pray that they will be led by the Holy Spirit to serve in unity and lead IBC to carry out God's plans for his kingdom, especially in this time leading up to Christmas; pray for God's wisdom so that they know how to feed and protect the Body of Christ;
• Thanksgiving for Lori’s presence in IBC; pray for the Lord’s protection for her health and guidance as she gets used to Hong Kong as her new home and place of ministry;
• Thanksgiving for John and Beatrice as the Ariwi family will be adding a new member with their daughter Monica getting married to Jonathan in November; Alfred Ariwi and his family will be travelling to Hong Kong and he will officiate at the wedding; pray for our Heavenly Father to be glorified in Monica & Jonathan's marriage; give thanks to the Lord that Beatrice is able to see all her children grown up and have families of their own;
• Thank the Lord for Anny and Steve’s ministry in IBC; pray for God’s presence with Anny and her family as they mourn the passing of Anny’s mother; give thanks that Anny’s mother is with the Lord in eternity; pray that the Lord would use all that went on at the funeral service on November 1 to draw non-believers to himself;
• For those we know who need physical, emotional or spiritual healing and care: Kerri’s mother (overall health and safety); Sarala Carlson (recovery from stroke); Michelle Niem and Quina’s friend Paula (treatment for cancer); Samuel’s friend Henry (cognition problem after lymphoma treatment), Tony Mo (recovery in Old Age Home after a stroke), Alice Tsui (prolonged bad eczema), Alice's brother in law, Edward (a rare terminal illness), Thomas Lam (eyesight); Iris’ two sisters, Winnie and Teresa, and Alice, sibling of Jackson’s sister-in-law (God’s grace in their fight with cancer); Stephanie’s father (eyesight and hearing); Anna Chen’s niece, MeiMei (terminal illness); Scott Sapp’s mother and loved one (depression); Frank’s brother Jan (glaucoma); for God’s grace, care and strength for Beatrice, Y.M. Chen, Herald Lau and Alex’s father;
• The Lord’s strength, wisdom and peace for caregivers for the elderly or those with health or special needs;
• God’s salvation for non-believing friends and loved ones – Frank’s brother Jan; Kenneth’s mother and siblings; Michelle Niem’s family members; Angela’s sister and brother-in-law; Pansy’s husband; Stephanie’s parents and sister; Frederick’s mother; Mona’s colleague and neighbour Lily; Ivy’s son and family; Maria Tanielu’s mother and family in Samoa; Charles’ brother William in Canada;
• The people of Myanmar, Philippines, Iran, Israel, Cambodia and Ethiopia; for God’s love and his word to touch the hearts of their people;

Let us pray through Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3: 16 – 19 for each person at IBC – 

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” In Jesus’ name I pray.” Amen!

[This prayer guide was prepared by Charles Ip]

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