We thank God that our Cantonese congregation has a Sunday morning prayer meeting at 9:30 am before worship every week. In the prayer meeting, we praise God, thank God, confess our sins to God, and pray for the needs of the church and others. Although the number of participants is not large, each participant prays earnestly, asking that our praises, thanks, confessions, and petitions may reach God and be heard. Reflecting on my first participation in January, when I was not yet accustomed to the methods of prayer, I have now adapted and become accustomed. I still remember how, during the prayer meetings in January and February, brothers and sisters prayed for my adaptation to the church, which moved me to tears.
Prayer is a spiritual practice that teaches us to trust in God's presence, strength, and help, and to examine whether we are relying on God. Mutual intercession (James 5:16) is even a command from God. I have noticed a phenomenon where pastors and church leaders are less likely to share their own needs, allowing other brothers and sisters to intercede for them. However, God reminded me that even the Apostle Paul, a leader of God's church, invited his readers to pray for him in his letters.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me...
Romans 15:30
Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:25
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel...
Ephesians 6:18-19
I am also learning how to open myself up more and tell brothers and sisters about my needs for intercession, whether they are related to ministry or personal matters.
May our faith community be one that is willing to share and bear each other's burdens. We are willing to share, and we are also willing to intercede for others.
感謝神讓我們粵語堂在每個主日早上九點半，都有崇拜前的主日早禱會。在早禱會中，我們去讚美神、感謝神、向神認罪、和為教會和別人的需要去祈求神。雖然參與的人數不多，但每位參與者都用心去禱告，求我們的讚美、感恩、認罪和祈求可以去到神面前，得蒙垂聽。回想起當我在一月份第一次參與的時候，我對禱告方法的不適應，現在已經適應了、習慣了。我還記得在一、二月份的早禱會中，弟兄姊妹為我在教會的適應祈禱，使我感動、熱淚盈眶。
祈禱是一個屬靈操練，去教我們信靠神的同在、力量、幫助，去看看我們有沒有倚靠神。互相代求(雅各書5:16)更是神對我們的吩咐。我發現有一個現象，就是作牧者的、作信徒領袖的，較少分享自己的需要，讓其他弟兄姊妹為她或他代求。但神提醒我，作神教會領袖的使徒保羅，都有在他所寫的書信中，邀請收信人為他祈禱。
弟兄們，我藉着我們主耶穌基督，又藉着聖靈的愛，勸你們與我一同竭力，為我祈求神⋯
羅馬書15:30
請弟兄們為我們禱告。
帖撒羅尼迦前書5:25
靠着聖靈，隨時多方禱告祈求；並要在此警醒不倦，為眾聖徒祈求，也為我祈求，使我得着口才，能以放膽開口講明福音的奧祕⋯
以弗所書6:18-19
我也正學習怎樣多開放自己，告訴弟兄姊妹自己代禱的需要，不論是事奉上的，還是個人的。
願意我們這個信徒群體，是一個願意彼此分享、分擔的群體。我們樂意分享，亦樂意為別人代求。
