Welcome to the December 2025 Prayer Vigil!
There is mourning and grief at International Baptist Church of Hong Kong (IBC) because our dear sister Anny Metz passed away on 13th November 2025 after a nine-week battle with cancer. The greatest consolation for us, and for any Christian, at such a time as this is that the one we love most dearly is safely with the Lord and enjoying his wonderful love and presence without pain and suffering, …and that we will eventually see each other again as the Lord promises.
At the memorial service for Anny, the song chosen for the choir to sing was her favorite, called “You Are Mine” by David Haas. Part of the song goes like this and some Bible verses which come to mind ……
I
will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice, I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near.
Do
not be afraid, I am with you, I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me, I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine
“…. God is love …. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…..” (1 Jn. 4: 16, 18)
“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice…. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
(Jn. 10: 2 – 4, 11)
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Ps. 46:10)
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Phil. 4: 5)
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matt. 10: 29 – 31)
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (Jn. 14: 2 – 3)
I
am the Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live
“…. 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.” (Jn. 8: 31 – 32)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn. 14: 27)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4: 6 – 7)
Let us Pray –
Holy Father, Lord God Almighty, thank you for your Word which is reflected in the song which reveals your steadfast love for us and which brings comfort. Thank you for our dear sister, Anny and her life which reflects your Word in Colossians 3: 12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” What we saw in her life confirms that she is one of your chosen and she is now at home with you, enjoying your presence and sharing your glory (Rom. 8: 17; Col. 3: 4). Help us Father to remember, even as we experience the grief and pain of separation from Anny, that Jesus also experienced the tremendous pain of separation from you so that we can saved from our sins and again walk with you in a love relationship. Therefore, let us stand up, walk in your love and do the good work that you have planned for us to do. Help us to comfort others who need to be comforted with the comfort and strength that we receive from you (1 Cor. 1: 3 – 4). May your love and presence comfort Steve, Timmy, Matthew and other members of their family in this difficult time. In Christ’s name I pray.
Let us continue in prayer for –
- God’s
mercy and help for the families and firemen affected by the horrendous fire in
Tai Po on 26 November, and comfort for those
who lost loved ones in the fire.
- The Lord’s continual care, protection and guidance for our church that we may work together as one in the Body of Christ at IBC.
- The Lord to raise up more leaders and discipleship
makers in IBC so that we will be a community of disciple makers and prayer
warriors.
- The Pastor Search Team to be guided by the Spirit as
they follow up on connections in their search; for the church to be united in
prayer for the Lord to reveal the one who will shepherd IBC in the future.
- The deacons, ministry leaders and teams, the church
staff, Life Group leaders and Small Community Group hosts, that the Spirit
will
work through them to help the whole Body of IBC to grow together in Christ.
- The missionaries among us and our mission partners as
they work with IBC to reach out to the communities in Hong Kong and
beyond.
- The team and their preparation for the outreach to Lai Chi Kok Prison on 27 December to share Christmas with the prisoners.
- More volunteers to join the Christian Kun Sun Association to make regular visits to prisoners with the gospel.
- IBC’s preparations for the Alpha Course to be held end of February and April 2026; and for God to draw volunteers and participants.
- The inmates of the Ling Oi Drug Rehab Centre, the
street sleepers in Sham Shui Po and Happy Valley, the elderly in Wah Fu Estate
and Silver Mine Bay, that they may experience God’s love and receive salvation
through Jesus.
- The Father to provide wisdom, energy and joy for those who minister to our children, youths and young adults.
- The Lord to provide a Children’s Ministry Coordinator and a Youth Worker for IBC.
- The young people who are studying or working abroad; for their protection and strengthening of their faith.
- Those we know who need physical, emotional or
spiritual healing and care: Dave Kwok’s colleague Demi (recovery after stroke);
Michelle Niem (treatment for cancer); Tony Mo (recovery after stroke); Mike
Ainslie (Alzheimer’s); Brian and Yun Xiang’s baby
Hudson; Alice Tsui (prolonged
bad eczema); Alice's brother in law,
Edward (treatment for rare illness); Thomas Lam (eyesight);Iris’
two sisters,
Winnie and Teresa, and Jackson’s sister-in-law Alice (God’s grace in their
fight with cancer); Stephanie’s father
(eyesight and hearing); Frank’s brother
Jan (glaucoma); for God’s grace, care and strength for Beatrice, Y.M. Chen,
Kaushic’s
mother and Alex’s father.
- The Lord’s strength, wisdom and peace for caregivers for the elderly or those with health or special needs.
- 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; Ivy’s son and
family; Maria Tanielu’s mother and family in Samoa; Charles’ brother William in
Canada.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen!
[This prayer guide was prepared by Charles Ip]