Day 40: The time is now!

This is Day 40 of 40 Days. 40 Voices. 40 Prayers.

Thank you for journeying with us over the last 39 days. I am sure we have gained insights, inspiration and instructions from the different pastors and leaders.

A couple of months ago, there was a particular week when my schedule was insanely packed out. I had different meetings and speaking engagements from Monday through Thursday. Then on Friday, there was Pray Singapore, our regular gathering of church leaders for prayer at St Andrew’s Cathedral.

As I was preparing, the Holy Spirit reminded me that the prayer gathering was the most important event of the entire week. No matter how amped up I may feel towards Turning Singapore Godward, Winning The Youth and Blessing The Nations, unless God is in it, our best works are in vain.

In Psalm 127:1, the Bible says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

Note that the builders are labouring and the guards are standing watch. They are not lazy. They are not indifferent. They do not abdicate their responsibilities. Like many of us, we love Jesus and His Church, and we are willing to work hard.

But the psalmist says that unless the Lord builds the house and unless the Lord watches over the city, our best efforts are in vain.

The three focal points that God has given to the Singapore churches and Christ-followers are spiritual in nature. No amount of human effort alone can produce an ounce of spiritual fruit.

We need God. We need to seek God’s help, wisdom, guidance and strength in prayer.

Attention is the beginning of devotion

In the digital world that we live in, everyone and everything is vying for our attention.

In 2015, TIME magazine published an article stating that the average attention span for the notoriously ill-focussed goldfish is nine seconds, but according to a study from Microsoft, people now generally lose concentration after eight seconds.

Microsoft also found that since the year 2000 when the mobile revolution began, the average attention span of people has dropped from 12 seconds to eight seconds.

We now have a shorter attention span than goldfish. This is quite laughable and sad at the same time!

In John 15, Jesus said in no unclear terms that, apart from Him, we can do nothing. 

Jesus teaches the importance of abiding in Him, the importance of giving Him our attention and staying connected to Him.

Jesus said to His disciples, including you and me:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4)

To be devoted to God and His purpose, we need to first give God our attention. And one of the ways to give God our attention is through prayer.  

Many of us have participated in Day of His Power this year. We gathered to pray in churches all across the north, south, east and west of Singapore. This is a beautiful picture of unity in Christ and dependence on God. Thank you for playing a vital part in the redemptive plan of God for Singapore.

Look to God in prayer

The time is now to Turn Singapore Godward. The time is now to Win the Youth. The time is now to Bless the Nations. And the time is definitely now to pray together!

Apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

Let us look to God in prayer!

Jesus, we need You! More than the air that we breathe, more than anything, we need You. Teach us to, first and foremost, devote ourselves to You. And as we do that, transform us and use us for Your glory. Thank You for Your amazing grace and goodness in our lives. 

In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen. 

Reflect

Over the last 40 days:

1. How has God changed your heart for those who don’t yet know Jesus?

2. How will you pray for youths and families in Singapore?

3. What are some things God is leading you to do to turn Singapore Godward, win the youth and bless the nations?

Pray

1. Pray for a Godward Singapore. Ask for godly leadership, a people united in the desire to do good and be compassionate, a Church committed to sharing Gospel hope. Pray that God’s light will shine brightly in every area of darkness and every believer become an active ambassador of this light.

2. Pray earnestly for God to stir the hearts of young people across Singapore, drawing them to His grounding truth and unshakable hope. Pray for opportunities to invite them into church communities, small groups and worship services. Ask God to equip you and others with the ability to guide these young hearts in their spiritual journey.

3. As you seek to bless the nations, pray for the conviction and the courage to take the first step, whether it’s signing up for a short-term mission trip or finding other ways to serve God’s global Kingdom.

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