We don’t need to talk to too many church pastors to see that the last two years have been extraordinarily difficult. Of course, there have also been many blessings – and we know that God is always at work for his glory and the good of his people. So as our churches begin their third year under COVID, the ACR thought it would be helpful for us to begin the year by praying for one another.
The Sydney Anglican Diocese is a fellowship of churches partnering together in the gospel for the glory and Kingdom of our great God. There are many ways in which we can and should express this fellowship, and one great way is by praying for one another.
Over the next few weeks, the ACR will be sharing prayer points from various church pastors from within the Sydney Anglican Diocese. Will you join me in praying for these churches? What better way to express our fellowship as churches than by mimicking Paul in his relationship with the Philippian church, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer (Phil 1:3-5).
In Christ,
Mike Leite
ACR Editor
St Paul’s Carlingford and North Rocks
COVID has had its impact on St Paul’s Anglican Carlingford and North Rocks, as it has everywhere. But there is much to give thanks for and to be excited about this year.
It has been a joy to see community confidence growing, more people returning to church in person every week, and youth and children’s ministries up and running. Please pray that God would grow our love for God, our love for each other, and our love for the lost. One of the greatest dangers in the pandemic for our church has been the inward turn. As we’ve sought to take care of one another within the church in the face of pressing immediate needs, it has been all too easy to lose sight of the thousands of people around us in Carlingford and North Rocks who have pressing eternal spiritual needs. Pray for the leadership and for the people of St Paul’s, that we would grow to be bold and urgent in sharing Christ with our communities, and that many disciples would be made.
Nearly a third of people who live in Carlingford come from a Chinese background. Give great thanks to God for our Mandarin-speaking congregation, where people are being saved! Around seven people came to Christ and were baptised at the end of last year, and many others continue to come to a group for people who are exploring Christianity. Pray that more and more would be added to the number of those being saved.
Please pray also for our new staff. The last few years have seen a great deal of turnover in our team – St Paul’s has had five new pastors join the team in the last twelve months, including a new senior minister! Pray that this new team would grow in trust and love to be able to work well together in leading the people of St Paul’s in proclaiming Christ.
Thank you,
Raj Gupta