Sabbath Prayers

                                        

Good and Gracious God. You gave the people of Jerusalem the privilege of knowing Jesus and hearing His message, but they did not listen. You have given us the Gospels, so that we too can hear His message. Please give us the ears to listen. 

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with reverence and trust, lifting up every person who is sick, weary, or broken in spirit. You are the God who heals, the God who restores, and the God who binds up the wounds of Your children. Under the shadow of Your wings, there is refuge, strength, and peace.
Lord, we intercede for those battling illness — especially cancer. Stretch out Your healing hand. Bring comfort where there is fear, strength where there is weakness, and hope where there is despair. Let Your presence fill hospital rooms, treatment centers, and quiet homes where Your children cry out to You. Please strengthen Jen who has decided to witness your love for her as she battles her sickness. We pray she start her specific treatment she is hoping for as early as you deem fit.  Also for Samira, and Joan, to strengthen them with your strength and  grace as they too undergo their treatment. 

We pray very specially for Lisa, a cancer survivor herself, and whose daughter now has been detected with Cancer at a young age. We pray for her strength and healing. 

We pray for the people in India. specially Senior citizens suffering in the extreme cold and air pollution. 

We pray for the brokenhearted — those carrying grief, loss, or exhaustion. Wrap them in Your unfailing love. Whisper Your promises into their spirits. 
And Father, we lift up the nations of the world that are hurting today.
We pray for countries facing war, disaster, hunger, or deep uncertainty.
We pray for Regions affected by conflict, where families long for safety and peace
Nations struck by natural disasters, rebuilding homes and hope. Countries facing economic hardship, where daily life is a struggle. Places where sickness and lack of healthcare bring suffering. Communities torn by division, fear, or instability
We also pray for caregivers, families, and friends who stand beside the suffering. Give them endurance, compassion, and rest. Let them feel Your nearness as they pour out their strength for others.
Father, we trust in Your Word. You are the One who said, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.” Uphold Your children — in every nation, in every hospital, in every home — with Your righteous right hand.
We believe You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. So we place every life, every need, and every nation into Your hands.

In Jesus’ mighty name, 

Amen.

Please join us every week in our Sabbath Prayer for the week. We request your support in adopting prayer points for people mentioned, in your own prayers this week and become vessels of your healing. 

To download our mobile app Click here 

Godly Surrender

Read Mark 10:21 

Many a Sunday morning we stand up and sing the song - "All to Jesus I surrender". But do we truly mean that? Do we truly surrender all? 

In the quoted passage we have a near perfect young man, who did everything God expected but could not surrender.

Today let us think, have we truly surrendered? - what does surrender look like?

First and foremost, surrender needs us to let go of the control we want over our lives. Realize that that fantastic job, that promotion or a great business are not because of our abilities but because of Gods blessings. Therefore, they are not our priority even though they may give us economic power. It involves recognizing that one is not self-sufficient, and that divine grace is essential. And divine grace comes from divine wisdom.

It means letting go of the desire to dictate the course of one's life and trusting that God's plan is superior. It involves a profound act of yielding one's will and control to divine authority.

In practice this means that we become executors of Gods will in our lives rather than decision makers. It means we put every situation, every day, every problem, every solution, every honor at Gods feet first.

This is not to be confused with revering God or respecting God. There is a difference between respecting God and making Him first in our lives.

When we make God first, we may start our day by asking God - what would you have me do today? Or how do you want me to act in "x" situation? Essentially start the day by passing control of everything for the day to God.

Surrender therefore requires humility, acknowledging one's own limitations and dependence on God.

This may involve making changes in one's behavior, attitudes, and priorities to align with divine principles and a willingness to accept His authority.

In theory we all do that: in practice maybe we don't.

King David consulted God before taking any action. Do we consult God say, before a meeting? If the meeting is critical we may pray and ask for His guidance and help. But do we ask His will? No. We state our will and may we end it by saying - "but your will be done". That to my mind is not total surrender. It is "grudging acceptance or maybe defeated acceptance".  

Therefore, total surrender also includes an "embracement" of Gods decision, His wisdom and His will, with happiness, joy and priority because we place our trust in Him more than in our own abilities.

What is the outcome? Ultimately, surrender will bring inner peace and freedom. By relinquishing the burden of control, one can experience a sense of release and trust. It's like sitting in a chauffeur driven car and driven through chaotic traffic as opposed to driving and navigating that traffic ourselves.

Surrender therefore is good for us. It not only helps us navigate this life peacefully but helps to build our next life as well by building a relationship with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit.

Finally, It is important to understand that surrender is often a process, and not a one time event. It is something that is worked on daily.

In essence, surrendering to Jesus or God is about placing one's life in divine hands, trusting in divine guidance, and seeking to live in accordance with divine will.

My Covid Diaries: A Nightmare turned Miracle!

Today we share a short diary of a Covid survivor – a senior lady in Delhi, India, who calls her experience “a nightmare turned miracle”. We share with you the Covid Diary of Ms. S. Massey, a retired School Principal, mother and grandmother. She credits ONLY God’s grace and mercy that she is able to share her story today – in her own words:

“9th May, 2021: 10 PM : Tested positive for Covid, asymptomatic. Being 70 years of age and an asthma patient, I was advised hospitalization. In spite of non availability of beds and oxygen, it was with God’s grace I was able to get an admission to a well known hospital. Tests showed about a 20% infection and treatment was started.

10th May, 2021: Slight improvement, but still asymptomatic.

11th May, 2021: Stable and ready to be discharged and to quarantine at home! Discharge procedure starts. My happiness knew no bounds and all friends, family, church people who had been praying for me heaved a sigh of relief and thanked God.

But, during the day my condition deteriorated and I was sent back into ICU. An emergency X-Ray of the lungs showed drastic worsening and my Oxygen level decreased to dangerous levels. People started [raying for me all over again, being informed and requested by my son.

As my condition worsened, I felt myself drift into a deep dark valley and as if I was slipping into another world. I lost the time and days and nights passed without any awareness. I had no consciousness, no sensation and no sound. I underwent a tricostmy surgery and lost the use of my vocal cords.

I must admit that I probably posed a huge challenge to the team of doctors, God bless them for not giving up on me and working under the direction of our Lord.

With no sense of what was going on, I do remember seeing my late husband, sitting on the highest seat of a stadium. I stretched out my arm asking him to hold me as I was gong to join him but he turned his face from me. I also saw my elder sister and brother in law walking head of me, so I called out to them as well to stop and wait for me but they don’t. (I did not know that both had already passed of Covid together). These memories haunt me even today.

I saw different churches, ones which I never knew even existed, new priests giving sermons from beautiful pulpits, reading scripture and choirs of people dressed in purple and white. Churches with different European architectures, including Greek and roman designs, stained glass windows. I also saw the baby Jesus in His manger, huge candles burning as group of angels sing and bow down with their wings covering their faces. The whole scene before me was pure, powerful and spiritual. The environment was filled with a blue hue, I have never seen in my life and I cannot explain the serene beauty of that place where I was.

Suddenly I saw water, as clear as crystal, gushing from a beautiful golden gate, guarded by two angels, and then I am standing in my home church behind the lectern, facing the cross and saying – Lord send me back as I have to preach Jesus – as the only God, the true god and a miracle God.

It was not a plea, or a begging tone but the tone and voice of a fighter, which later scared me as to how could I behave like that in front of God? From childhood I had been taught to petition God but not like this!

4th of August, 2021: Suddenly a strong beam of light emanated from that cross and engulfed me. My conscious date changed from the 11th of May to the 4th of August, 2021, the day God chose to send me back and the date I was finally discharged, after 3 months on a ventilator!

My weight had reduced from 68 Kg to 40 Kg, paralyzed below the waist, darkened skin and on a wheelchair. I was hardly able to speak.

I had my first review with the doctor one month later when he said – Ma’am you are a miracle. A Covid warrior. I wanted to tell him the warrior was not me but Jesus. I was only the medium to glorify His name.

While the Doctor put me on physio for 6 months, I was up in two months and able to walk in 3. God healed me to keep my promise – to glorify the name of Jesus.

Today, I keep that promise everyday – to witness, to pray for others who maybe going through a bad patch, to teach faith and trust.

I do hope my story will also strengthen you, and inspire you to Jesus Christ – our Saviour and Lord”.

The Reality of Psalm 91: A Covid Story

The COVID times were extraordinary. Today it is five years, or half a decade, that it was declared a Pandemic. As of April 2024, the virus had infected over 704 million people worldwide, and the number of deaths had reached almost 7.5 million. During the peak, one saw relatives, friends & neighbors drop like flies. Tragedy was all around us. 

My family and I had been stuck in two different countries, 6000 miles apart, away from our home and each other. Yet were brought together, under His shadow against mighty odds and impossibilities. While thousands, nay millions, fell at the sides, we were kept safe in a safe country, in the safe home of a Pastor and his family. COVID was all around us, yet did not come near us. Our daughter in India too remained safe as we tried to come back and she tried to get back to us. 

Over those three years, as our savings disappeared, business dwindled and stopped, we never went hungry or in want. Everything was provided for by our God. The destruction of those days could not destroy us.

That is when we realized the reality of God as He spoke to us through Psalm 91 - we practically lived it! 

“Psalm 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling”.

We lived the complete Psalm 91 day by day.

One particular incident cannot be forgotten. Due to a sudden and definitive requirement of 1 million in cash, in a foreign land, with no access to our funds (the particular account did not have internet access), we panic. As we lay in agony and fear, the bell chimed in my phone indicating a mail had come. With great dread I opened it and lo- there was a mail from a strange id known as the Messianic Bible group. The subject was - Fear not for the Lord is always with you. Addressed to me by name. I do not know how it came for I was not part of any Messianic group, nor registered for any mails. Never before had I even received a mail from these people. As I read that mail, a great sense of calm and peace came over me. It started with a quote

“Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

My heart stopped pounding. I have never forgotten that because I believe it was God reassuring me. 

Later that night a thought came into my mind - talk to the bank manager (he too was a Christian). I did talk to him the next day and without the necessary documents he transferred the money. Problem solved.

Then came the third wave - as our business collapsed, customers threatened us, friends became foes, legal notices were sent, business destroyed, Covid raged on and on and we continued to overcome. For us Psalms 91:13 came alive – “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet”.

Though we had some ground support, that too finally faded away. How long can anyone support you without finance? Nights were spent in worry about the future: would we see our home again? would ever again be reunited as a family? But through it all, we learned to trust Him. Again Psalm 91 gave us the assurance of protection and deliverance. As Covid struck the world again and again, Psalm 91 assured us

"You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you".

After three years we finally made it back home. Broken in all respects but happy. Happy that we had found the God in all His glory. He delivered us - literally.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name".

We survived.

This does not mean life was or is trouble free. It means we survive and live on His grace. On His protection. We called upon Him and He answered. 

"For He gave His angels charge over us, who kept us in all our ways and did not let us dash our foot against any stone".

We leave this testimony not just as a personal account of survival and deliverance but as an invitation to discover the immense power and grace available through Jesus Christ. In the face of life's uncertainties and trials, His love remains steadfast, and His promises offer unshakable assurance.

This journey has taught us that while life may never be free from hardships, His grace sustains us, His protection surrounds us, and His presence uplifts us. Through the storms, through the losses, and through the fear, His word remained true: “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.”

May this story inspire you to trust in His providence and find refuge in His shadow. In Him, you can tread through adversity, rise above despair, and walk with unwavering faith, knowing that His angels watch over you. Our experience is not just a tale of survival, but a celebration of a victorious life—a life anchored in the power and love of Jesus Christ. 

We have made Psalm 91 our go to prayer because we have seen and experienced the reality of those verses. My family & I will never forget that we have passed through the valley of the shadow of death & who's staff guided us through. 

(In the picture is Psalm 91 and is downloadable as a prayer, should you need it).