For Your Prayers this week

Praying for Our Persecuted Brothers & Sisters in Christ

In Sri Lanka on 21st April 2019, Easter Sunday, many believers were killed by suicide bombers. Around the world at Easter believers face increased hostility and persecution. Please let us pray:

1) That God will protect believers during the Easter period as they gather to remember and give thanks to God for His saving work.

2) That God will enable believers to wisely share with family andfriends about Christ at this time.

3) That God will speak through dreams and visions to those who persecute believers, and that this Easter they will meet with our crucified and risen Saviour and Lord.

4) That we’ll be inspired and encouraged to learn from our persecuted sisters and brothers, who firmly stand up for their faith, and share it boldly. “I’ve been able to share the gospel with other women and seen lives transformed and faith ignited in ways I couldn’t imagine. We constantly feel God’s presence and authority in our lives. Despite the difficult circumstances we are empowered by our faith.” (Hila in Afghanistan, from Open Doors Prayer Diary)

For Your Prayers

In “5 Things to pray for your church”, Rachel Jones, lists Scripture based prayers for the church. Please begin with confession of sin, adoration and thanksgiving, before bringing your requests to Him, including fellowship prayers below.

That I would use my gifts well – Romans 12: 1-9 Father God, please help me to...

Monday: SERVE SACRIFICIALLY – We’re to serve others “in view of God’s mercy” (vs. 1) motivated by the grace he has shown us.

• Spend some time reflecting on and thanking God for His mercy.

• Please pray that you’d offer your whole life as an act of “true and proper worship” in response to what God has done for you.

• Please pray that you’d be self-sacrificial for the Lord as He was self-sacrificial for you.

Tuesday: SERVE HUMBLY – Paul is unequivocal: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” (vs. 3)

• Often, we exercise our gifts in ways that lead to pride as we compare and compete with others.

• Please confess your sin to God and ask Him to root out pride and grow you in humility.

Wednesday: VALUE THE GIFTS OF OTHERS – Thank God for the wonderful diversity of His church: a body “with many members” where all “have different gifts” (vs. 4-6)

• Think about specific people at TRBC and thank God for how He has equipped them to serve His people.

• Please pray that you’d value the talents and skills of others.

• Please show your appreciation and encourage them to use their gifts well.

Thursday: USE MY GIFTS –“If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy…if it is serving, then serve…” (vs. 6-7)

• Please ask God to show you whether you’re using the gifts He’s given you well, whether that’s your skills or your money, (vs. 8)

• Thank God our Father for the opportunities you have, to serve at TRBC.

• Please pray that you’d serve with the right attitude – never grudgingly, but diligently and cheerfully. (vs 8).

Friday: LOVE SINCERELY –“Love must be sincere” (vs. 9)

• Please pray that God will show you where you are serving to be loved, liked or respected by others, and ask God to forgive you of such wrong motivations.

• Please pray that you’ll serve as an expression of true love towards others – whatever it is you are doing.

• Please pray that your love would “be sincere”: that as you love others by serving them practically, you’d also be loving them from the heart.

Saturday: Please thank the Lord for His healing of Ps. Alan so that he is less breathless and more mobile. Please pray that the Lord will heal Ps. Alan of his cancer and that He will strengthen him as he starts a new course of weekly treatment at hospital. Please pray that the Lord will meet all physical, financial, spiritual and any other needs within the life of the fellowship.

Sunday: Please pray for yourself and everyone who gathers at TRBC, to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Please pray that each of us will hear and respond to His specific word to us. Please pray that through these gatherings, our love for and service to God and believers will grow, as well as our commitment to share Christ, so that God will be glorified

Please record God’s answers to your prayers to share with others

  • Please pray that rich countries will generously give food aid to Somalia where 7.1 million people need food assistance and 230,000 are facing famine.

  • Remember those in conflict zones around the world and areas af- fected by natural disaster especially Southern African countries affected by flood and Syria and Turkey. Pray for peace and relief respectively.

  • Thank God for the work He is doing through Pastor Kumar. Continue to commit God’s work here to God in prayer. Pray that God will use all of us to glorify His Holy name and expand His kingdom.

  • Pray for the leadership team here at TRBC. Pray for discernment as decisions are taken.

  • Pray for those who are elderly and sick in our fellowship. Pray that they receive good and effective medical care and support. Pray also for all their carers.

  • Give thanks for all those who are able to regularly serve in the life of the church, often behind the scenes. Pray for continued strength to serve and more volunteers.

  • Commit our partnership with London City Mission to God in prayer. Pray that God will bless and use it to expand His Kingdom. Pray for this Wednesday’s Book Table Ministry.

  • Pray for all who are suffering the effect of the cost of living crisis at home and abroad.

  • Pray for the government and all those in authority. Pray that God will grant them wisdom.

  • Pray for those who live in fear, especially our Christian brothers and sisters who live in parts of the world where they face persecution and marginalisation because of their faith.

  • Pray for students preparing for exams especially those preparing for their final / certificate exams.