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Prayer reflects your love for BPCWA and each other

Dear BPCWAians, Last week we saw that God views prayer so highly that He calls His Church the house of prayer both in the Old (Is 56:7) and the New Testaments (Matt 21:13). I also gave a list of things you can pray for BPCWA. What else should we pray for His church here? How should we pray for His blood bought bride?

Pray for all BPCWA worshippers : Pray that all worshippers will grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord (2 Pet 3:18, Eph 3:14-21). Ask God to help each of us receive His Word as from Him and hence examine our own hearts honestly with it so that our lives will be progressively sanctified as we obey and serve Him. Pray that all worshippers will be godly in all aspects of our lives (1 Pet 1:15) in order to shine forth His light at our work places, in our homes, and in our schools as students (Matt 5:14). Pray that each one will do personal evangelism throughout our lives (Matt 28:19). Pray for individuals to accept and obey God’s will for our lives as He knows best (Rom 12:1-2). Pray also for strong Christian families that will obey God at all cost and serve together (Josh 24:15). Pray that all will be consistent in our personal quiet time and prayer time (Matt 6:6), as well as in family worship, so as to maintain a close fellowship with God daily. Pray that all will respond to sicknesses, losses, and trials in life rightly to glorify God (Rom 8:28-30). Pray for those in our midst that have backslided and have left their first love. Pray that all will always be seeking God’s kingdom first (Matt 6:33) and not set affections on things on earth (Col 3:2) nor self-glory.

How we can pray for BPCWA. We must come together to pray for the church and each other at church prayer meetings. It is the house of prayer! The New Testament believers gathered together to pray (Acts 1:14). They were living in challenging times as followers of Christ, yet they gathered to pray all the more. Yes, we may be tired after work, housework, and school. But remember, we cannot compare with the difficulties these early Christians faced (Acts 12). Let us be spurred by their example of gathering to pray for the church and those in difficulties. Bring your children to learn to pray for the church too. Let them grow up being used to coming to God’s house of prayer (Matt 19:14) every week. Believe that if God desires us to pray as a church, having your children sleeping later on Tuesday nights will not be detrimental to them (as the world teaches). Heads of families, include in your daily family worship prayers for BPCWA. Use the printed church prayer list. Choose several items from the list each night.

Remember how camp chalet prayer is every year? Pray for God’s church and His people. Parents can prepare and print items for family members to pray for different nights. Individuals can include items from the list in your daily prayers. Students, why not carry the church prayer list and pray for the church during your lunch time on certain days?

Our Lord reminds us, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). I hope none of us get weary of our prayer list. If you love BPCWA, the church God led you and your family to, you will naturally love to pray for it. Sadly, Paul had to say, “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. (21) For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Phil 2:20-21). Let us be as concerned for God’s church to pray for it as we would pray for our own life and our own family. This is your covenantal family purchased through the blood of Christ. Your love for God’s church will grow as you grow in your prayer for it. May the words of the hymn stir us to love God’s church and hence pray earnestly for it,

I love Thy kingdom, Lord,

The house of Thine abode,

The Church our blest Redeemer

bought With His own precious blood.

I love the Church, O God!

Her walls before Thee stand,

Dear as the apple of Thine eye

And graven on Thy hand.

For her my tears shall fall,

For her my prayers ascend;

To her my cares and toils be given

Till toils and cares shall end.

Why not make copies of the church prayer list in your car and on your fridge door and make it a personal and family prayer list?

Yours in our Lord’s service

Pastor