“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lam 3:22-23).” May this comforting reality encourage us to pray for the following concerns this week:
I. CHURCH CONCERNS
1. Let us give thanks for the word we heard last Sunday. We began a series entitled “Quarantine Sins” in our Sunday School and were introduced to one sin in which we could test positive during this “stay at home” period–that of laziness. May we take to heart its serious consequences and persevere in making the most of our time while at home. In the first service, we saw five implications of the resurrection of Jesus that ought to strengthen and encourage us especially when we are tried. May the fact that Jesus is alive cause us to press on serving Him no matter what our circumstances are. In the second service, we saw how important it is to walk by faith and not by sight if we are not to grow weary and lose heart. Compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us, the trials of this frail and fleshly life are light and momentary.
2. Let us pray for our preachers this Sunday.
- Pas Clyde will take the Sunday School;
- Pas Mike will take the first service;
- Pas Alex will take the second service.
Pray for help in preparation and power in preaching. Pray for good internet speed and minimal distractions. Pray that even in this extraordinary time, there would be a delighting in the Lord and in His day
3. Let us give thanks and pray for our continued relief efforts.
a. As was mentioned in an additional note last week, the delivery of N95 masks bound for PGH and PDH was rejected for being substandard. We are awaiting the next shipment of masks which will arrive on April 18. Pray that this time there would be no problems.
b. We are also sourcing PPEs and scrub suits for purchase to be delivered to the same hospitals mentioned above. Pray for guidance on this matter.
c. We have engaged in a second wave of relief to members and attenders who are greatly affected by the lockdown giving them rice packs and cash.
d. Please give thanks for three sister churches in China (Harbin, Shenzen and Hong Kong) who have helped us financially in this relief effort. We give much thanks to God for their kindness and compassion.
4. Let us also remember our duty to give our tithes and offerings through the avenues that were mentioned previously. We know that this is a hard time. But if you are able, your help to the ministry of the church including its missions will be greatly appreciated. Donations for our relief projects mentioned above and previously are also still welcome.
II. PERSONAL CONCERNS
1. Let us give thanks to God for His continued preservation while under quarantine; may He be pleased to spare us from sickness and harm during this extraordinary time.
2. Let us persevere in praying for our front-liners as they risk life and health caring for the sick in our hospitals. Please refer to our previous lists (3/26; 4/2; 4/9). Here are additional names:
- Julie Cortez RN and husband Alex (NY, USA)(both are positive for covid19, have fever and difficulty breathing; pray that Daddy Cortez who lives with them would be spared from infection).
- Jenny Cortez RN (frontliner in NY, USA).
- Jobel Sornillo (RITM, tested negative twice but continually exposed to covid-positive colleagues.)
- Grace Catalan MD (PGH, thanksgiving as she tested negative for covid19.)
- Boyet Putal RN (UK, positive for covid19, still in ICU, improving but still having difficuly breathing, continue to pray for recovery and salvation.)
- Eddie Pawig RN and Allison Garcia RN (WA, USA, frontliners, please pray that they would be spared from infection.)
- Kharl Berce (Paranaque Fire Dept but presently drives ambulance for Paranaque LGU, cousin of Pia C).
- Bu and Renee Cifra, Arlene and Dennis Juanir (all RN)(all working in different locations in CA, USA, (my cousins and niece) that they would be spared from infection as they attend to their patients).
- Genette Olalia RN, (CA, USA, my sister-in-law)(calling on covid19 patients; that she would be spared from infection.)
3. Let us not grow weary praying for the sick among us, especially our members who have critical illnesses. An update on Dr. Marlyn: latest MRI results show that the tumor in her brain has decreased in size; expensive medication will be withdrawn for the moment and she will be placed under observation. On Sofia: she finished her last chemo last Saturday, next will be radiation. On Dr. Gino Gomez: tested negative but under quarantine for two weeks. The family is extending thanks for our prayers. Also, for Nanay Belen, member of our sister church in Makati (Pas Tony), now in Makati Med ICU, difficulty breathing, intubated, awaiting results of covid19 test.
4. Let us pray that our members would not be laid off from employment due to the negative economic effect of the extended lockdown. Let us also pray for those who are presently called to work as part of skeleton labor forces in essential businesses that they would be kept from sickness. A specific request is for Lea Abagon who faces clients as part of her job in a local bank. One of those clients recently died from covid19.
5. Let us give thanks to God for the wedding anniversaries of Joey and Bhe and Pastor Mike and France which took place this week.
6. Let us continue to pray for the safe and normal delivery of sister Deniece. She has transferred from Makati Med to Cardinal Santos with a new OB. She is now on her 38th week.
7. Let us continue to pray for wisdom for our government as it faces the difficulty of providing for the people’s welfare at this point in time and meeting to discuss whether to lift or to extend the enhanced quarantine period.
8. Let us pray that the mass testing would achieve its purpose of identifying and separating the sick from the well so that the spread of the virus would be contained and mortality and morbidity would decrease.
9. Let us pray that the gospel of the Lord Jesus would continue to be proclaimed as the cure for the greater sickness of sin which has infinitely worse consequences than covid19.
