Prayer in July2024

We always:

  • thank God (among other things) for saving us through the death of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
    Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. Romans 8:1-3

  • confess our sins and thank God for his sure forgiveness.
    And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:3b-4

Outreach and community

  • Southern Play, for even more new families to come along and for God’s Spirit to bring people to know our Lord Jesus. For perseverance and energy for the mums from church who attend.

  • the lunch time program Treasure Hunters at Atwell Primary School and Talitha and Mark as they run it.

  • that lots of people are interested in joining a Get to Know Jesus group.

  • for opportunities and open doors for all of us at church in our current friendships and relationships to share the gospel and to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Preaching of God’s word

  • Ashley Horton as he finishes up Proverbs in June and Mark Burbridge as he prepares two sermons on “Justification by Faith” for July.

  • for Mark as he heads up the small groups in 2024, and for the people attending that they enjoy and grow from spending time together and studying God’s word. Pray that small group leaders will rest well in the break in the school holidays, refreshed to continue leading their groups in term 3.

  • us as a church as we listen to the Bible read and taught each Sunday, that we grow in godliness and to know Jesus better.

    …let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
    for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:5-7

  • for Talitha as she coordinates the Sunday kids’ ministries and what Bible content they will learn.

Ministries

  • give thanks for a great Weekend Away, of friendship building and applying God’s word from Proverbs to our hearts.

  • for Ash and family as they take holidays for the first two weeks of July, for good rest and time together.

  • for Liz, that she has a valuable two days away on a ministry retreat in July.

  • for more helpers for creche, kids and music as many current volunteers have had to stop for a variety of reasons.

  • thanks for the new people joining Southern and their willingness to befriend people and serve!

  • for Ash as he trains Mark and Talitha in their apprenticeships.

  • from the administration committee: pray that as our church grows in numbers we also grow in active service, with our time and treasure - that more and more people would be living for Jesus and bringing people to him. Thanks for the giving we saw in May and June that made our budget look a little healthier,

  • thanks for the first Youth (high schoolers) gatherings happening during the service earlier this year. Pray for Ash, Kris and Josh as they lead various parts of this ministry. Pray for all the youth at Southern that this is will be beneficial for their growth and faith.

  • Pray that the combined Friday youth group with Gateway Community Church is beneficial to our youth and theirs and thanks for Talitha (from Southern) and Cam Bargebos (from Gateway) for leading it.

  • pray for our elders, Ashley, Richard, Nathan and Alex, that they continue to care well spiritually for our church and continue to grow in godliness and love.

    Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

For our church this year

  • for us to grow in in wisdom and learn to seek it and treasure it.

    …and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
    then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
    For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.     Proverbs 2:4-6

  • for renewed hearts for the lost, opportunities to spread the gospel amongst the people we know, and for the Holy Spirit to be at work turning sinners to seek God.

  • for all of us to work and pray about our Christ-centred plans and goals for 2024.

  • for those suffering serious and/or chronic illnesses, particularly Steve, Lynn and Carolyne, for healing, energy and deep reliance on their Lord Jesus.

  • for Jarod and Jess Hortin as they prepare to move to Melbourne and work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Read more of their story and prayer requests here.

Marty and Jenny Foord (CMS WA)

Marty and Jenny serve at ETC Asia, a Bible college in Singapore, by training future Christian leaders. Southern supports their work through CMS WA.

Give thanks for Marty and Jenny’s encouraging visit to us in June!

May-June 2024 prayer points

Give thanks:

  • The growth of the college since it started seven years ago.

  • Our graduating students. 

  • Our new students who will join us next semester. 

Please pray:

  • For more space for our growing college.

  • That our graduates will serve Christ faithfully in their new ministry roles. 

  • That faculty and students will rest well and be refreshed over the semester break.

  • That we will be a blessing and encouragement to our supporting churches on our Home Assignment. 

If you’d like to sign up to receive their updates (with more details than what we put here) please do so on the CMS website.

A snippet of Marty preaching at St George’s Anglican Church, Singapore.

A Snippet of College Chapel from February 2024.