Welcome to the May 2025 Prayer Vigil!
All of us would like to know the truth about whatever we encounter in our lives, because it affects our decisions and future actions i.e. “if this is true then I will ……”. We want evidence and proof that something is true because we fear that being deceived can lead not just to financial loss but can also put our future and lives at risk. What is really important about truth is that it not only frees us from deception and fear but is the basis for trust, relationships and faith. God is truth and he wants us to live our lives and to worship him according to the truth.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4: 23, 24)
“For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Ps. 139: 13)
Pray –
Holy Father, Almighty God, I thank you that I can come to you in prayer and call you Father. I praise you for your mercy, goodness, kindness and faithfulness. I acknowledge the truth that you are my creator and redeemer and that you have chosen me through your steadfast love and mercy to be your child and your special possession (1 Pet. 3: 9). I rejoice that you my God is not just mindful of me but also love me and care for me as I am, a sinner saved by your son Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Hear my prayers Father and may my prayers at this time be pleasing to you.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1: 8, 9)
“This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.” (Eccl. 7:29)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12: 2)
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Luke 6: 41, 42)
Pray –
Cleanse me Father of all unrighteousness. Open my eyes now to see my sins so I may confess them to you. Help me not to conform to the ways of this world but renew my mind that I may seek your kingdom first (Matt. 6: 33), go about doing your will and following your ways instead of following the schemes of man. Forgive me if I have been seeing only the sawdust in my brother’s eye and not the plank in my own eye and help me Lord to remove the plank in my eye so I may see clearly what you show me.
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” (John 14: 6)
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17: 17)
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16: 13)
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5: 14)
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4: 12)
“….. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31, 32)
Pray –
Thank you Father for your word, the solid food, the truth, available to me through Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Help me to abide in your word that I may be free from the bondage of sin, guilt and spiritual darkness, guided by the light which you provide (Ps. 119: 105). Help me to always see the truth by relying on your word and trusting in your Holy Spirit. I pray now for our church’s Pastor Search Team and ask that you give them wisdom and discernment in their work of seeking the one you have chosen to shepherd IBC. May you help them to see into the hearts of the candidates that they will come to know the one you have chosen.
Continue in prayer for –
- The Lord’s guidance through this period of transition for the church and for the unity of the Body of Christ at IBC.
- The Pastor Search Team to truly understand the nature and needs of the Body of IBC; for the church to be united in fervent prayer for the Lord to lead us to the one who will shepherd IBC in the future.
- Pastor Will, the deacons, ministry leaders and teams, the church staff, Life Group leaders and Small Community Group hosts, that they may be provided with strength, joy and wisdom as they continue in the work of the kingdom.
- The missionaries among us and our mission partners who are listed in the church Mission Budget.
- God’s vision for IBC to reach out to the surrounding community.
- The Father to provide wisdom, energy and joy for those who minister to our children, youths and young adults; for the Lord to call people to help in Wee Care and volunteers for the VBS in August.
- The youths and children who were baptized recently in April; for the Lord’s protection and growth in their faith.
- Amy Tong in her work as Ministry Assistant.
- The young people who are studying or working abroad; for their protection and strengthening of their faith.
- Our youths in their work of raising funds to help children whose parents are in prison.
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Those we know who need physical, emotional or
spiritual healing and care: Kaushic’s
mother (need knee surgery); Dave Kwok’s colleague Demi
(recovery after stroke); Michelle Niem (treatment for cancer); Tony Mo (recovery after a stroke); Alice Tsui (prolonged bad eczema); Alice's brother in
law, Edward (receiving stem cell treatment for rare illness); Thomas Lam (eyesight); Iris’ two sisters, Winnie and Teresa, and Alice, Jackson’s sister-
in-law (God’s grace in their fight with cancer); Stephanie’s father (eyesight and hearing); Anna Chen’s niece, MeiMei (terminal illness); Frank’s brother
Jan (glaucoma); for God’s grace, care and strength for Beatrice, Y.M. Chen, Herald Lau and Alex’s father. - The Lord’s strength, wisdom and peace for caregivers for the elderly or those with health or special needs.
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Non-believing friends and loved ones to be drawn to
Jesus – Frank’s brother Jan; Kenneth’s mother and siblings; Terry’s son Joseph;
Michelle Niem’s
family members; Angela’s sister and brother-in-law; Pansy’s husband; Stephanie’s parents and sister; Frederick’s mother; Mona’s colleague and
neighbour Lily; Ivy’s son and family; Maria Tanielu’s mother and family in Samoa; Charles’ brother William in Canada. - All to speak the truth in love that we may grow and mature in Christ (Eph. 4: 11 – 15).
These prayers we lift up in the name of Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen!
[This prayer guide was prepared by Charles Ip]