Sunday, July 22, 2007
whoo! i survived youth sunday and my intercessory prayer!! someone commented that i looked very relieved stepping away from the podium. haha. didn't know it was so obvious.
it wasn't too bad an experience really. kinda grateful that i got asked and glad that i accepted it. my dad thought that it incidentally coincide with the sermon topic even though i had no idea what it was about. i thought it would be an appeal for service in the youth ministry but it turned out to be about God's Grace and doing what He wants us to do.
oh yes. here's something interesting.
it's called dog-and-cat theology. so cute.(which one are you?)
the dog says," you shelter me, you feed me, you pet me, you love me and you cater to my every need. you must be God."
the cat says," you shelter me, you feed me, you pet me, you love me and you cater to my every need. I must be God."
anyway, i decided to post my prayer draft here.. it sounds cheem but i had lots of help from a certain book so that was cheating (a little..).
Dear heavenly Father, we thank you for sending your only beloved son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, that we may call you our Father and be called your children. Because of what Christ has done for us, nothing can and ever will separate us from your love.
We give thanks for our brothers and sisters from every part of the world. While we live comfortably in Singapore, we know that Christians in many parts of the world are facing persecution and strife. We pray that as they fearlessly and confidently draw near to you Lord, they may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need.
We give thanks for the many brave men and women who have left the familiar comforts of their home countries to be Your witnesses in little-known places. We pray that you will establish them to the end – keep them steadfast, give them strength, and guarantee their vindication.
We pray also, for the deliverance and salvation of those who have yet to receive you into their lives. We ask the Lord of the harvest to thrust the perfect laborers across these lives this day to share the good news of the Gospel in a special way so that they will listen and understand it. We believe that they will not be able to resist the wooing of the Holy Spirit, for You, Father, will bring them repentance by Your goodness and love.
We give thanks for Reverend Dr. Steven Gan, Reverend Carrie Chan, the Elders and Deacons, the Care Group leaders and everyone who has stepped forward to serve and lead this church in their own little ways. Father, they do not these things for self-gratification but solely to bring honour to your name because we would be nothing without you. All our talents and abilities, Lord, they belong to you, for you are the Potter and we, the clay. Help us to put these to good use, that we may glorify your name.
On this very special Sunday, we celebrate the youths in our congregation.
In an age where we are faced with choices every second of the day, we are so often tempted to do what is easy instead of what is right. Father, forgive these young people where they have done wrong and cleanse them of all unrighteousness. We submit them to you Lord – spirit, soul and body, and pray that you will also pour out your favour and wisdom openly unto them.
When these youths are at the cross-roads of life, Father, we ask you to give them a complete understanding of what you want them to do in their lives, and make them wise with spiritual wisdom. So that the way they live will always honour and please you. Make their thoughts agreeable to your will, direct their steps and make them sure, so that they may be a blessing to their parents, their teachers, their peers and anyone who comes into contact with them. Fix their hearts Lord, and establish it on the solid foundation of your Word. Let it be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path.
We also give thanks for the parents, mentors and all who have had any sort of influence on these youths. We thank you for sending these wonderful Christian role-models into their lives. May they always be motivating figures who will neither discourage nor cause feelings of inferiority and frustration. Where there are unresolved hurts and misunderstandings between parent and child Lord, release your anointing, heal the broken hearts and grant them reconciliation.
We hereby lift up these young people to you Lord. You are their refuge and fortress, in you will they trust. They shall never be afraid of the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day for you have given your angels charge over them, to keep them in all Your ways.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.says oddball
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
i cannot help but say that our Lord works in his own ways. people in my cell group will know that i'm not very good or comfortable, for that matter, with praying aloud. hence imagine my despair when i received a call which required me to present the intercessory prayer for this sunday. it would be the least thing i would ever volunteer to do.
but now that i think about it, yes i'm nervous, worried and all that, it really is an honour to be given this burden of praying for everyone. therefore i truly thank the Lord for giving me this chance. A chance for me to lead everyone in prayer and a chance to counter my fears.
I just hope that my prayer will be able to touch a soul out there. that would be enough for me. just one.
haha. a 5-minute prayer. in front of the full congregation. i feel so small and inadequate.
BUT
"i am able to do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Phil. 4:13
argh.. still nervous.
says oddball
Sunday, July 08, 2007
was driving pass a certain school the other day and it had it's school motto on the school building. so i started thinking about my school motto. let's see..
pri sch: "ready to serve"
sec sch: "simple in virtue, steadfast in duty"
jc: "nil sine labore"
simple in virtue, steadfast in duty. what does it mean really? i like it because it encompasses so many aspects of a person in 6 simple words.
says oddball
