Prayers 12 30 2012
*Welcome!
*Thank you for your generous love gifts on behalf of the church staff
*All-Church Leaders Kick-Off on Saturday, Jan. 5, 9:00, Fellowship Hall
*CCU Dinner, Jan. 20, 5:00, Far East, Pastor Peter to be installed as President, Dick Wong
*Next Sunday, Jan. 6; beginning of New Schedule; see insert
*Pastor Visal is on vacation back home to Portland, OR
*Marcus makes announcement about Donald Ma moving to HK
Prayer Concerns:
*Karen Au having a baby girl, Alyssa on Christmas Day; 5lbs, 7oz., 19in.
Prayer of God’s People
Gracious and loving God, on this first Sunday after Christmas, we praise you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, that changed the course of human history for all time. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude for such an extravagant outpouring of generosity, love and grace. It is, instead, our lives that need to speak for us—lives that are testimonies to the difference that this Jesus makes in the human heart and the human condition. When we act with compassion, kindness and gentleness toward others, we are the incarnational presence of Christ. When we are patient rather than angry and short-tempered, we exhibit the life of Jesus. As we stretch to do the hard work of forgiveness, rather than justify bitterness and hate, we become more like your Son. When we dwell on your word, it transforms our minds so that we may choose, act and respond as those who are devoted followers of the one who said, “Come, follow me.” O God this is who we long to be.
God of forgiveness, as the Christ child pierced the darkness to join humankind, we ask now that you would pierce our hearts with the unrelenting truth of your Word. Forgive us for all the things that we failed to do this past year. We recognize that sometimes our good intentions have not led to action. We thank you that you bless us with a daily measure of grace and pray that you can set us on the right course in the New Year to come. May our hearts be fertile places in which your Word may enter, take root and produce much fruit.
We pray for those who are seeking your mercies and the power of healing from illnesses. Grant them comfort and recovery according to your plans. We celebrate the birth of Sheu and Patrick Au’s granddaughter Alyssa and pray that she grows up in full stature in Christ.
O God, you make all things new. We are given a new day and a New Year to live according to your will. Instill in us a sense of urgency when we are complacent and ignore the needs of the moment. Grant a sense of peace to those who work diligently in your service. Bless us during our time together at the close of this year and inspire us and direct us toward your ministries that we may praise you, love you, and serve you. All these things we pray in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Just as Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in divine and human favor,
be committed to worship, study, prayer, and service to others that is favorable in God’s sight.
Remember that God is in our everyday.
May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Amen.