Dear BPCWAians, Each time I am in Singapore among the other churches, it never ceases to amaze me how many people whom I hardly know would come up to Sharon and I to greet us by name. And they seem to know so much about BPCWA as I converse with them. But what is most heart warming is how they speak with genuine care for God’s ministry here. You can see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. Some even bring their children to meet us and they too seem familiar with our church in Perth. Why is this so? I soon realised why this was so from a common topic they bring up – we have been praying for you all and BPCWA! It is so encouraging to hear that so many, though living almost 4000 km away, pray so regularly for us even though they have not seen many of our faces. And it also very convicting. It is needful for us to consider and learn this Biblical principle and habit of prayer for other churches.
The reason for relations.If one were to look at these greetings, the reason for such care and relationship is evident. These greetings were exchanged between those who “labour in the Lord”, and those “approved in Christ”. Though apart, and though perhaps not having met many of them nor having been introduced face to face with them, they were “in the Lord”. These are those that work together with the churches for the same cause and same purpose. Ultimately, they were serving the same Lord, though in different harvest fields as the churches’ Head had determined and placed them.
The basis for closeness. This was because they were like minded. While there is evidence of much warmth between churches, it is important to also note that it wasn’t a case of wishing God speed simply to anyone. After the Apostle Paul encourages the Romans to “Salute one another with an holy kiss” and brings greetings with “The churches of Christ salute you” (Rom 16:16), he immediately follows in the next verse with a warning of disassociating and separating themselves from those that work contrary to them “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Rom 16:17) The “elect lady” was also instructed that if anyone coming did not abide in the doctrine of Christ, she was to “receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” (1 Jn 1:9,10). No matter how “unkind” it may seem, let us not be lulled into thinking that it is “loving” to offer greetings and prayers for individuals and churches that sow discord in our midst, those that actively oppose our faith, and those who intentionally try to bring in divisive doctrines contrary to what we hold on to.
The best expression of care for others. Others pray for BPCWA. At every prayer meeting that I attended at Calvary Pandan BP Church during my FEBC days and on the occasions when I joined them after I came to BPCWA, I always saw BPCWA being printed on their prayer bulletin. Despite 31 years having passed since CPBPC helped set up BPCWA, their concern for our church still continues to be expressed by their prayer support for us every week. When I visited Sydney BPC back in 2012, I noted that praying for BPCWA has been in their regular prayer weekly all the while. Bethel BP Church in Melbourne also prays for BPCWA. Gethsemane also prays for us. Even Calvary Jaya BP Fellowship in Kuala Lumpur prays for us. In our mission trip to Myanmar earlier this year, many told us that they had been praying for BPCWA. Besides this, I have on many occasions received emails and messages from Pastors of like-minded churches in Singapore assuring us of their prayer for BPCWA. While we have often prayed for BPCWA ourselves, perhaps many of us did not know that many who have never stepped foot into our church were also doing likewise. How it must have pleased our heavenly Father to graciously hear and answer the prayers of those near and far, the prayers and intercessions on behalf of BPCWA. We thank God for their love expressed for us in their prayers.
We must actively pray for other churches. What these churches do for us is a very Biblical practice as noted in the Epistles. Have we been following the Biblical example, let alone reciprocate? We must be concerned about those we see every week, in our own church. In addition, we must also be concerned about our fellow churches labouring in the Lord’s work elsewhere as well. We must pray for their faithfulness to continue. We have benefited much from the teaching of these faithful churches and if so, these churches will also not be spared from the devil’s desire to bring them down. We must pray for churches without Pastors that God may be pleased to call a faithful man of like faith to serve there. We must pray for the churches with Pastors, that their Pastors will have their hands strengthened to continue to labour zealously amidst their busy schedules, and to withstand attacks. We must pray for the unity from within and in between these churches. If we are to pray for those that persecute us (Matt 5:44), how much more should we pray for the churches that are fellow labourers together with us? BPCWA has received much blessing from them, through their books and resources, expertise and other means. Faithful churches are under attack in these last days, and we must pray for them to continue to stand strong. No church is without its own struggles – whether big and small, whether better- endowed or those with more needs. The work of the church is spiritual, and all are dependent on God’s help. So, every church needs prayer. May we support the work of God from Perth by upholding these ones in prayer. Let us pray that they will continue to hold fast the faithful word (Tit 1:9) and that they will all continue to stand together “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev 1:9)
Yours in our Lord’s service
Pastor