Our Eyes on God - St James Church Singapore
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PraySingapore@12 24th February 2020 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, ESV) Let us pause, wherever we are, whatever we are doing, at 12 noon every day, to pray together for Singapore. “Let’s step up prayers, let’s unite in prayer. Be part of PraySingapore@12, a national Call to All, to pause and pray ONE minute—AS ONE—for Singapore! And for as long as the Holy Spirit leads, go five minutes, go 15 minutes, go one hour. ‘Prayer is LOVE on its knees’ (Dick Eastman). Let’s do it. This is our finest hour. Amid the gloom, let’s glorify Christ, our Living Hope.” (Pastor Lawrence Khong) Our Eyes on God Facing the many unknowns, we turn to God and acknowledge who He is. He is all-knowing. Nothing is a mystery to Him. He is all-present. Nothing escapes His attention. He is all-powerful. Nothing is too hard for Him. He is all-wise. He never makes a mistake. He is all-loving. He always acts in our best interest. He is all-merciful. He is our very present help in trouble. He is our Sovereign King. He is the Ruler of everything. He is God our Father. He has a future and a plan for Singapore. Our cry for Singapore Feeling the anxiety all around us, we cry out to God on behalf of Ministry of Health: Wisdom to do the right thing at the right time in the right way. Healthcare workers: Divine protection, strong immunity, great stamina The Afflicted: Accurate diagnosis, swift recovery, miracle healing Researchers: Divine favour, eureka moments, revolutionary breakthroughs Pastors: Discernment and courage to lead the way, zeal to persevere Christians: Faith to overcome fear, love to reach out selflessly Unsaved: Divine encounters, many turning to the Prince of Peace Fellow Singaporeans: Deeper bonding, stronger social cohesion The Global Situation: Dramatic turnaround, viral stories for God’s glory Extract from: Salt&Light (Feb 14, 2020). “Let’s unite every day at noon (12pm):LoveSingapore kicks off PraySingapore@12”. Retrieved from http://saltandlight.sg/news/lets-unite-in-prayer-every-day-at-12pm-lovesingapore/ on 20 February 2020
A Personal Reflection and Response 25th February 2020
“Restore us, O Lord God of Hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!”
(Psalm 80:19, ESV)
Would we allow God to turn our fear to faith, our panic to praise and our chaos to
Christ-centeredness?
1. Have I made God too small in my eyes?
2. Do I fear disease and death more than I fear God?
3. Have I presumptuously claimed the promises in Psalm 91?
4. Have I preoccupied myself more with the precautions than with prayer?
5. Have I relied more on our super-efficient government than on our Sovereign
Lord and King?
Extract from: Slides at Workers’ Communion, a combined meeting with COH on Tuesday 18 February 2020 at SACA Prayer for the Anglican Diocese and its Parishes 26th February 2020
“Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of
glory may come in.” (Psalm 24:9, ESV)
“It is important for you and me to know He’s on the throne, to proclaim Him,
to believe Him and to live our lives in the light of it. And His purpose is always
salvation...He has set His heart to bring every person into eternity, to be in His
company because every soul matters, every family matters, every community
matters. We can only get through this with God,”. (Bishop Rennis Ponniah)
Examine our priorities: have we taken our spiritual health for granted?
Read Psalm 24.
1. The call to be holy before God (Psalm 24:4-5)
Holiness made possible through transformation that comes from God’s Word,
being rooted in community and intentional discipleship.
2. The call to seek His face (Psalm 24:6)
Seek the Giver not the gifts. Grow in us a yearning for Him: to cry out for Him;
to want to be with Him so that we can hear from Him in order that we can serve
out God’s purposes in this time and season.
3. The call to open the gates for His entry (Psalm 24:7)
Ephesians 6:12 states “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
rulers...authorities...cosmic powers over this present darkness...against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” We seek to overcome through
prayer and declaring the Sovereignty of God over all things.
4. The call to love Singapore
We open the gates for God’s entry by loving our nation; by entering into
people’s lives and putting the Gospel out there because it is the power of God
unto salvation.” ”
Extract from: Salt&Light (Feb 18, 2020). “”No battle is too hard for our Lord”: Bishop Rennis Ponniah on impact of COVID-19 on the Singa-
pore Church”. Retrieved from http://saltandlight.sg/news/no-battle-is-too-hard-for-our-lord-bishop-rennis-ponniah-on-impact-of-covid-19-on-
the-singapore-church/ on 20 February 2020 and Bishop Rennis Ponniah sermon and slides at Workers’ Communion, a combined meeting with
COH on Tuesday 18 February 2020 at SACA Prayer for St. James’ Church (SJC) 27th February 2020
“So let’s do it - full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out.
Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his
word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not
avoiding worshipping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially
as we see the big Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:22-25, MSG)
1. Love in action (Romans 12:10)
In these times, would SJC be known for its love? Pray that God will help us to
grow in our ability to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways all across
our nation.
2. Channels of Hope (Romans 12:12, 1 Peter 3:15)
Pray that SJC would reflect the hope that we have in Christ in our daily living,
and be ready to share the reason for that hope with others.
3. Unity in the Body of Christ (John 17:20-24)
Pray that SJC would stand united in love and in prayer with the Churches in
Singapore, regardless of denomination and tradition.
4. Wisdom for Pastors and Church Leaders
Pray for wisdom and spiritual insight for our pastors and church leaders, as they
seek ways to continue to feed and disciple their flock in the midst of trying
conditions.
Resource for families
A devotional guide written by Rev. Jenni Ho-Huan and Elvin and Esther Foong, that
is meant to help families talk, pray and act in response to what has been happening
in light of COVID-19. Click on the link for a free download of the devotional:
https://www.thetreasurebox.sg/collections/family-devotionals/products/gift-of-peace-family-
devotional-free-download (for children)
https://www.thetreasurebox.sg/collections/family-devotionals/products/gift-of-peace-family-
devotional-teens (for teens)
Extract from: Salt&Light (Feb 19, 2020). “Where is God in this trying season? A new family devotional helps answer your child’s questions”.
Retrieved from http://saltandlight.sg/faith/where-is-god-in-this-trying-season-a-new-family-devotional-helps-answer-your-childs-questions/
on 20 February 2020A Prayer for St. James’ Preschool Services 28th February 2020 “You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m Your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you:” (Isaiah 41:10 MSG) SJCPS: 4 kindergartens and 13 childcare centres Pray for the children Innocent understanding with obedience as they learn to be responsible with personal hygiene. Pray for the parents Continual growth in their confidence in the quality SJPS education and school environment, and to be protected from fear and anxiety. Pray for staff To sustain a cheerful spirit in the midst of managing the increased workload, and peace as they wrestle with meeting their own families’ needs. Pray for bus “uncles” and “aunties” To be supportive and caring of the children. Pray for all centre chaplains To be creative beacons in this period where faith, hope and love is much needed and grace as they minister to the families of staff and students in need. Pray for the Crisis Management Team and SJPS Management Team Wisdom in decision, action and communication, and unity and active support for one another. To be resilient in mind, body and spirit, and for protection from spiritual attacks and safety from illness.
Image source: yahoo singapore
A Prayer for the Healthcare Professionals 29th February 2020
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be
watered.” (Proverbs 11:25, ESV)
Through prayer, we stand in solidarity with our healthcare professionals (HCP).
1. Pray that the HCPs will be diligent not only to serve but also to protect
themselves.
2. Pray that God will protect the HCPs and their families from harm.
3. Pray that the HCPs will help to allay fears and exemplify kindness and
compassion.
4. Pray that there will be sufficient energy to sustain the HCPs throughout the
duration of the crisis.
Extract from: Salt&Light (Feb 6, 2020). “God is present. God cares. God provides,” say medical staff working with “no fear, no reservation”.
Retrieved from http://saltandlight.sg/news/god-is-present-god-cares-god-provides-say-medical-staff-working-with-no-fear-no-reservation/ on
20 February 2020A Prayer for the Nations 1st March 2020
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and
seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I
will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)
There is nothing we desire more than a divine visitation from You, O God!
1. Strengthen the Church in this time of testing.
2. Stir the Church to arise in this window of opportunity.
3. Let there be:
- An outbreak of prayer evangelism.
- An outbreak of healing ministry and healing miracles.
- An outbreak of community outreach with no strings attached.
4. Great home-coming: a massive turning to Christ.
Extract from: Slides at Workers’ Communion, a combined meeting with COH on Tuesday 18 February 2020 at SACYou can also read
