Many friends in the afternoon course seemed deeply touched by our prayer time Friday. Instead of a regular discussion time, we shared prayer requests, with a focus on healing needs following our study of God and healing. Several shared requests for physical, emotional and relational healing, and we prayed. As we concluded our prayers, I was surprised to find several had been moved to tears.
God was very kind to allow us to experience his presence in a special way during that prayer time. And this was just a couple days after I'd been thinking, "I know many have been praying that this Alpha will be a time for guests to not only learn about God but also to experience his presence . . . but is it happening? At all?" I was doubtful. But then on Friday, God's answer to this prayer was especially visible.
Thank you for your prayers!
Hiromi Fukuoka, in the evening group, was glad to hear that Jesus healed many with skin diseases. She has struggled with skin problems for years. At its worst, it makes it hard for Hiromi to write, which makes her job as a teacher quite difficult. She's been debating what to do about her medicine. I think there are some side effects she's tired of. She was glad to have us pray for her skin -- please pray it will be completely healed this week, and that Hiromi will see the Lord's power and care for her as she's healed.
This next week will be the conclusion of this fall's Alpha. Pray that the spiritual growth that has taken place will continue, and that the special events of the Christmas season will be one way that Alpha friends get more fully connected to the church.
Tim
Daily Prayer Requests:
Sunday: Thank the Lord for the ways his presence was felt and seen last Friday. Pray that Alpha friends will continue to grow in their understanding that God is real, and is with them.
Monday: For Hiromi and other guests to know God's love and healing power through answered prayer. Mrs. Ito, the Alpha friend with the most urgent need for physical healing, shared more about her sickness (a very rare illness), and received prayer Friday. Pray she will be healed and believe.
Tuesday: Praying for healing was a stretching and new experience for the leadership team Friday. Thank God we could take that step together and pray that we'll continue to be bold to serve God in every opportunity he gives us.
Wednesday: Please continue to pray for Sachiko Yonekawa and Kyoko Oshima, the two guests who seem least connected to the church. Sachiko's sister is a long-time church member, but can't easily invite Sachiko to church. (If she says too much about church, Sachiko is less likely to come.) Pray that these two will want to stay in touch with friends they met through Alpha.
Thursday: Pray that guests who came just a time or two will join Alpha in the future, including Mrs. Kudou, who came for the second time just last week.
Friday: Today's topic is The Church. Mr. Kusano once mentioned that once Alpha ended he would visit the church. Pray he and other guests will, and that each will be warmly welcomed from the beginning. Pray they, and previous Alpha courses' guests who aren't regularly attending church, will attend our special Christmas events on December 4, 19 and 24. We're especially encouraging Alpha friends to come to the party on the 4th, and to bring their friends. We'll have a time of celebrating Alpha and give guests an opportunity to share their impressions.
Saturday: Please pray for the future of Alpha in Muroran and throughout Japan, that many Japanese people who are currently far from faith and church will join Alpha courses and believe in Christ.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS THROUGHOUT THIS COURSE. THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME.
Tim Clark