I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always
pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Father,
I’m so grateful for my Christian friends and family and I thank you for surrounding me with their love and fellowship. I pray for them now with joy and thanksgiving, for they are such a gift and a comfort and blessing to me. What a joy to share a Christian worldview with others and to see them live out their faith with kindness and service to your kingdom. I thank you for Cathy, for her leadership and hard work to promote bible study and prayer and for the strength you have given her to deal with difficult circumstances, I thank you for Selvy’s example of devotion to you and for her evangelism, I thank you for Nel’s bible studies and for her example of someone steeped in the word and able to give wise counsel, I thank you for Dianne’s thoughtfulness and her gift of music that she brings every week to our worship service, I thank you for Janet’s courage and unwavering devotion to you through her illness, I thank you for Nancy’s and Brenda’s heart for the people of our church and their service of visitation, I thank you for Phyllis and her gift of music and service to our Sunday school. I am grateful to all the ladies who work so hard in the kitchen, the deacons and men who keep the church in order, to Su who teaches and connects with the young people and organizes events, to Elizabeth who cleans the church, to Triveni and Preeti who lend a hand to my elderly mother, to Dave and Judy who count the offerings and look after our finances, to Bert and Mabel who work so hard and so cheerfully, to Helen who keeps everything running as it should, and to Jim and Boyd who bring the word. For all the people I have not named who are faithful attenders, ministry leaders, prayer warriors, generous givers, welcoming to newcomers, quick to smile and encourage, solid in their faith and Christian walk I give you thanks as well. LORD, I pray that you would keep us all in your care, and help us to continue the work you have set before us as faithfully as we can, in order to bless our church family and shine a light in our community, to your glory.
In Christ’s name. AMEN.