2022 

PRAYER BULLETIN #213, 14MAY2022

GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR THANKSGIVING

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for
his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds
for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty and
fills the hungry with good things.”
Psalm 107:8, 9

REFLECTION

Now that Singapore has had a glimpse of “the promised land” as things return to some semblance of normalcy, some of us may have gotten very used to the two years of “wilderness living”, wandering in darkness and despair, preferring to continue in circles. Why?

Perhaps, this is due to changes in their lives during the wilderness years. They have gotten used to others deciding the path for them and being served hand and foot. But now, they have to restart their journey, set root in a new place and rebuilt again. They have to clear and till the land before they can plant the seeds for new growth and a fresh harvest. This will be hard work. Humans, in general, don’t like to work. We want the fruit without toiling; we want pleasure and power without the labour and pain.

If, however, we are not afraid of hard work, if we are faithful and obedient to God, if we turn our hearts back to God, God has promised to turn the desert into flowing springs, fields that yield a fruitful harvest and increase our numbers.

The words from this psalm are words of thankfulness to God, celebrating a return from exile. This is the context of how, when we read these words praising God’s works, we must remember God’s blessings in the midst of trials. Remember from where God’s has delivered us. These words should also be a reminder for us, as we continue the journey, that the best sacrifice we can offer to God, is a faithful and obedient life.

PRAYER

Blessed are You, Lord God of our salvation, to You be praise and glory forever. May the fruits of Your new creation, rejoice in this new day You have made, and praise You for Your mighty acts. Lord God, in whom we find life, health, and strength, through whose gifts we are clothed and fed, through whose mercy we have been forgiven and cleansed, be our guide, strength, Saviour, and Lord all the days of our life. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We offer our prayers through Christ. Amen.

SUPPLICATION

• Remember, Prince of Peace, the peoples of the world divided into many nations and tongues. Deliver us from every evil that obstructs Your saving purpose and fulfil Your promises of old to establish Your kingdom of peace. From the curse of war and all that creates it, O Lord, deliver us. And here, we remember especially, the peoples of Yemen, Syria, and Ukraine. May You be gracious and merciful to those who are suffering greatly in such deep conflict.
• Living Word, by whom all things are created, bless all those who work daily in home, field and marketplace. Labour with them until the creation of the new heaven and earth. In a climate of increasing costs of living, remind us, dear God, to do good and share what we have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to You.
• O God, as You have anointed leaders and called prophets of old, lead us to recognize our true representatives and authentic leaders. We pray especially for the next generation of leaders of Singapore and of the Methodist Church in Singapore. May they be men and women who love Your people and can walk with them, who feel their pain and share their joys, who dream their dreams and strive to accompany them in their goal. In Your fire, with your Spirit, embolden and commission them to transform our political system, to serve Your people, and to bring real glory to Your name.
• O Holy Spirit, refresh the Church world-wide with Your presence and power. Renew Your people so that we will live a life marked by peace, joy and love; with deep desire to share the Good News of Christ with our family members, our friends and our neighbours.

With gladness, let us present the offerings of our life and
labour to the Lord.

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