Things To Pray For In July
John Piper famously writes,
‘Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, millions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.’
I believe Mr Piper is right. Missions exist because so many people in our neighborhoods and nations have yet to receive their invites to the incredible marriage supper of the Lamb. And in His incredible kindness, He’s entrusted us with the privilege of giving out those invites, to every tribe, language and nation.
I was recently at the Arche Church in Hamburg, our partner Church in Germany, enjoying their annual International Sunday. One of the ways they celebrate that Sunday is with a choir made up of members of the congregation from over 56 different countries…. It was a real taste of heaven! What a marriage supper of the Lamb it will surely be!
We’re eager then to keep giving out the invites, and so here’s how you can be praying for us in the month ahead…
Please pray for the 10 men and their families that are finishing up this week at the SG West Africa Planters & Pastors Academy in Monrovia, Liberia. They will be engaging in six months of Pastoral Internship now, in Churches in Liberia, Guinea & Sierra Leonne, with a view to 3-4 SG Church Plants in 2024-25. Please pray for them as they relocate their families to their new places of service, early this month.
Please pray for Ed & Robyn O’Mara and Rocco & Mary Dalia as they relocate to Torino, Italy to launch our first SG Church Plant there. After many months of planning and training, it’s finally time. Please pray for these two dear families, that the Lord would quickly establish the work of their hands and bring much peace and joy to the settle into their new homes.
Please pray for Riley Spring as he leads the SGC Australian ‘celebration’ event - ‘Together 2023’, on the weekend of 21st-23rd July. Please also pray for Mark & Jill Prater as they head over to serve us during that time. Likewise, please pray for Austin & Emma Momber. Austin is a graduate of the US Pastors College and is seriously considering relocating to Australia to serve here. Please pray for much grace and wisdom for him & Emma as they consider this move.
Please pray for the various SG Development Committees (LATAM, Europe, Africa & Asia-Pacific) that meet at this time of year to discuss financial plans for the year ahead (Sept 23-Aug 24). Please pray for much wisdom, faith and insight for all the SG Pastors involved in these.
Please continue to pray for the ARK Church in Dnipro, Ukraine, led by our friend Michael Ostanin. They continue to feed over 400 people a week, care for refugees on a daily basis, and share the good news of Jesus Christ with any and all that will listen. They are doing amazing work in Ukraine, may we never tire of upholding them in our prayers.
… For the Audience of One, may we never stop giving out these invites!