My dear readers,

(Excerpts from Building Firm Foundations, Dr SH Tow)

1. Our unseen prayer partners

The secret of prayer is to pray alone in secret (Matt 6:6). It is also to pray together as one body in one place (Acts1:14).Today we learn another secret: unseen Helpers are praying for us. Our risen and ascended Lord, now at God the Father's right hand "ever liveth to make intercession" (Heb 7:25) for us, His children. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom 8:26).

Picture then in your mind's eye the Almighty Triune God in heaven working on our behalf: God the Father receiving intercessions from God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This one fact alone must give us enormous comfort and confidence to persevere in our prayers on earth – whether individually or corporately. For when we do so we are in concert and cooperation with the great divine prayer meeting up in heaven.

Why do we need the intercession of God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? Simply because we need them to bolster our little strength. Recall what our Lord said? "Without me ye can do nothing" (Jn 15:5b). We are frail creatures of flesh, and often times our spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Without Him we would fall. So we need to have our prayers on earth supplemented by divine intercessions inheaven.

Those divine intercessions are necessary also because of our foolishness and defective understanding, so that we do not always know what to pray for. Do you not realise how often your prayers are for inconsequential things? At times we may even pray for the wrong things or for something which is contrary to God's will. If God had answered some of those prayers we might have come to grief! So the Spirit helps our infirmities and foolishness.

Give thanks for our unseen Prayer Partners. Thank God that we can be His prayer partners. Our home can be a house of prayer, and where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is with them in their midst.

"It is Christ … at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom 8:34)

2. Aids to Prayer ("Beginners’ Guide")

Morning, Heavenly Father, Heavenly Father,Thank Thee (or You) for keeping me through the night. Thank Thee for this new day. Thank Thee for life and health, for home and loved ones … for the opportunities and challenges of this day. Grant me the strength and guidance to do all things well and to theglory of Thy holy name. Guard my eyes, my ears and my lips from sin. Lead me in the paths of righteousness. Make this a peaceful and successful day. Cleanse my heart from sin, and keep me pure for Thy use. So, use me Lord to do Thy good will throughout this day. I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus my Saviour. Amen.

NIGHT. Heavenly Father, Thank Thee for Thy presence with me through the day. Thy grace and sustaining power have been wonderful. (Thank the Lord for particular mercies and help received). Thank Thee for preserving me in my going out and coming in. Thank Thee for safety and peace, for opportunities of witness. (Think of any particular sins committed, and confess them to the Lord). Please forgive me the sins and offences of this day. Be merciful to me, 0 Lord, and wash me in the blood of the Lamb. Grant me a good night's rest. Renew my strength for tomorrow. I pray this in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

FAMILY WORSHIP. Heavenly Father, we gather to worship Thee and seek Thy face. Thy Word has promised, where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt be with them. Come now O Lord to bless this gathering. Bless our singing, our study of Thy Word, our fellowship, and our prayers. Open our eyes that we may behold wondrous things out of Thy Word. Teach us O Holy Spirit to understand what we read. Help us to love Thy Word, to remember what it says, and to do it. Grant us the joy of worship. Speak to us through Thy Word. Draw nigh to us as we draw nigh to Thee. We pray this in our Lord's precious name. Amen.

"Men ought always to pray, and not tofaint" (Lk 18:1).

(NOTE. The above are "starters" to help younger believers. Enlarge and modify according to your particular needs. Every believer should learn to pray. There is no need to be shy. Simply speak to God as child to father. Speak sincerely and in faith. God hears and answers prayer!)

3. Making a start (Family Worship is for every home)

If YOU WANT God's blessing for your home, start Family Worship T-O-D-A-Y!

STEP 1. Find a place: sitting lounge, your dinner table, or in your bedroom.

2. Make TIME: just as we all make time for dinner or breakfast. Family Worship is no less important. You need 15-30 minutes each day to feed your souls.

3. Find a LEADER: father, mother, or someone who can lead in worship. Leaders may rotate with profit.

4. Begin with PRAYER: "Lord, we gather together as a family to seek Your blessing. Though few in number, we know that You are with us. Teach us to sing to Your praise, and to read Your Word with understanding. Bless us as we worship together. We pray this in our Lord’s precious name. Amen."

5. SING: Suggest: RPG Anthem, choruses and devotional hymns.

6. READ GOD'S WORD: RPG portion for the day. Let the leader give a short exhortation from God's Word.

7. MEMORISE: Memorise oneverse a week. Test and encourage one another.

8. PRAY TOGETHER. Let each member pray. Teach children how to pray. LEADER to close in prayer: "Our Father in Heaven, we praise You and bless Your holy name. We thank You for Your Word. Help us to remember what we have read and heard. Help us to be doers of Your Word and not hearers only (Pray for individual needs of members).

(In the morning) Grant us safety and guidance for this day. Keep us in Your paths of righteousness and peace.

(At night) Grant us peace and good rest forth is night. Refresh us for tomorrow. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The above is a suggested ORDER, for a start. Modify and enlarge to meet your own needs. May the Holy Spirit guide you in this spiritual exercise.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor