Welcome to the March, 2026, Prayer Vigil!
It’s been said very often that the only things that are certain in life are death and taxes. A quote attributed to Pliny the Elder, a thinker and writer of the early Roman Empire, says “The only certainty is that nothing is certain” and it seems we would be wise to always unexpected. At IBC we have faced many unexpected situations and uncertainties, but the Lord has been faithful in keeping us united and faithfully working together for His kingdom. However, our current prolonged effort of waiting for the Lord to provide a pastor has left many people wondering with many questions in their minds. Is it one of God’s ways to always keep us on our toes? Speculations aside, there are many things we need to pray about at this time.
Know that God is always in control and we need to go to Him first before we do anything else (Ps. 121: 1 – 2; Prov. 3:5 – 6; 19:12; Col.1:15 – 18; John 10:11, 14).
Lord, we recognize your sovereignty over all things. By your grace, reveal to us whether we are where we should be in your plan, as individuals and as a church, and help us not to be complacent about our situation but to listen to your voice intently (Jn.10:27) so we will know what actions we need to take. Help us to deal with issues that have hindered your work in this church. Give us the wisdom and discernment that only you can provide. Teach us to recognize and follow your ways Lord, acknowledging that all things work for the good of those who love you, who have been called according to your purpose, that we may eventually be conformed to the image of your Son (Gen.50:19 – 20; Rom.8:28 – 29).
Ask God to reveal any sins to us that we need to repent of as individuals and as a church (Rev.2:5).
Lord, reveal to us our sins as individuals and corporately as a church and may our hearts not be hardened but help us to experience conviction that leads to repentance and be restored to a right relationship with you and each other in IBC. Lord, reveal to us our sins which may be hidden or overlooked that we may repent and be thoroughly cleansed. Teach us to be gracious and give us the perceptiveness and humility to bring about forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation where it is needed (John 21:15 – 17; Eph.4:32).
Be wary of Satan’s deception, accusations and discouragement (John 8:44; Rev 12:10).
Father, may we be mindful that we need to be self-controlled and alert because Satan is a powerful enemy (1 Pet.5:8). Protect us from Satan’s schemes which produce dissention and ill feelings among members of the church and give us the strength to resist temptations. Help us not to give Satan a foothold by being angry, complaining, gossiping or giving inaccurate information, criticizing or making accusations (Eph.4:25 – 27).
Be wary of pride (Prov. 16:18)
Help us not to be proud in thinking that we have been through all this before and we can handle it with our own strength and wisdom (Prov.11:2; 13:10).
Come together as a family (Gal.6:10; Heb.2:11).
Help us to come together as a church family to support and encourage each other with a strong sense of identity and belonging to your church, Lord. Help us to focus on Jesus, who is the source and giver of the blessings that we desire right where we are, rather than trying to find those blessings elsewhere by just depending on human methods like better organization skills or fashionable worship experiences etc. Teach each of us to be a blessing to the church with the gifts that you have provided through your Spirit (1 Pet.4:10). Help each of us to take the initiative to show love and appreciation for others in the church family.
Do not long for a return to the things and ways of the past for the wrong reasons (Ex.14:11 – 14; 16:3; Is.43:18 – 19).
Lord, we know that there are valuable lessons to learn from the blessings, trials and ways of the past in our journey as a church. Help us to learn those lessons and apply them effectively to your kingdom work in the future, but help us to resist the desire to return to the ways of the past just out of nostalgia, or because we do not understand your ways or trust in your power to help us face new challenges.
Do not be deceived by familiarity or fall into complacency.
Lord, help us to see when we have become comfortable with the way we are or have gotten so used to our situation that we become unaware of things that are not according to your will or not as they should be – like the story of the sea lion who had lost the sea and lived in a desert in John Eldredge’s book “The Journey of Desire”. It is strange that a sea lion should be living in such an incompatible environment – “But as you know, once you have lived so long in a certain spot, no matter how odd, you come to think of it as home”.
Let us not desire to move from one comfort zone to another but to be challenged day after day, be passionate and not lukewarm (Rev.3:14 -16). Help us to understand that “The call to follow Christ is a call to adventure – inconvenient, imperious, and irresistible” (from “Finding God in The Lord of the Rings” by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware).
Pray for and support our church leaders and overseers (Eph.6:18 – 19; 1 Tim.2:1 – 2).
Provide our deacons with strength and wisdom as they take on the responsibilities to care for your church. Guide them and other church leaders by your Spirit and provide them with the leadership skills and wisdom to help the church through this time of waiting.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” (Ps.111:10)
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen!
If there is time remaining, please pray through the prayer items of the February 2026 Prayer Vigil Guide.
[This prayer guide was prepared by Charles Ip]