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Prayer is not merely the lifting up of requests to God, but an act of confessing who God is. In fact, all our prayers must have confessions about who our God is, and how God saves and acts, acknowledging His nature, sovereignty and goodness. 

Prayers of Pure Adoration

We must learn to engage in prayers that are wholly devoted to adoring and praising our God. In such prayers, we confess the truths of Scripture about His nature, His glory, and His works. This is prayer at its purest—adoring God for who He is, not merely for what He gives.

David teaches us this posture: “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Ps. 103:1). Here, prayer flows as worship, an outpouring of awe and love towards the God of covenant mercy. Likewise, when David prayed before the congregation of Israel, he exalted God’s majesty: “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty” (1 Chron. 29:11).

Such adoring prayer magnifies His supremacy, acknowledges His sovereignty, and rejoices in His eternal attributes—holiness, righteousness, love and truth. These prayers echo the worship of heaven itself: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8). To pray in this way is to join the heavenly chorus, giving God the honour due unto His name (Ps. 29:2).

Prayers of adoration cut us off from earthly concerns and lift our hearts above earthly needs, and direct us to God’s eternal glory. They remind us that true prayer is not first about us, but about Him, the One who alone is worthy.

Such prayers humble us before the Creator, glorify Him as Redeemer-Shepherd, and deepen trust in His promises. Such a confession shapes our hearts, aligns our desires with His will, and reminds us that prayer is worship, not just mere request.

Examples of Prayers of Pure Adoration

The Bible itself provides many beautiful prayers of adoration, prayers that focus solely on praising and confessing who God is, rather than asking for anything. Here are just a few examples:

David’s Song of Praise (1 Chronicles 29:10–13): “…Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”

Moses’ Song (Exodus 15:1–11): This is a prayer-song exalting God’s uniqueness and majesty. “…I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea… Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble… Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”

See also Daniel’s Prayer (Daniel 2:20–23), and Paul’s Doxology (Romans 11:33–36).

This kind of prayer is pure worship, where God is honoured not merely for His gifts, but for His glorious nature, eternal attributes, and mighty works. They confess His holiness and majesty above all. Let all our prayers be worshipful theology in action.

Thanksgiving Report from Elder Eliezer

Blessed be the name of the Lord, who is full of grace and mercy, being the God of providence and the supreme Sovereign over all His creation and events.

The Lord be praised for the recent mission trip by the Mission Team from Gethsemane BP Church, Singapore, headed by Eld Mah. All glory be unto the Lord for the presence of the Mission Team in our midst. It was such a great blessing to us and the brethren from the 2 mission churches of Bogo and San Antonio. The Lord truly has His way of expressing His love to these brethren of our mission churches here. Through the messages preached in each of the homes, as well as the practical expressions of love through the giving of groceries to each family visited, our brethren had truly felt the warmth, love and affection of the Lord. And they are very much thankful to the Lord for the blessings they have received. Notwithstanding the muddy pathway towards many of these brethren’s homes, the Mission Team had joyfully walked through the mud, much like a farmer who would not be deterred from nurturing and cultivating the crops.

All praise be unto the Lord also for how He has providentially allowed the Mission Team to minister to the whole campus of Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges High School Campus, consisting of over 900 students and faculty. The Lord indeed works in a mysterious way. The initial plan for the school was to conduct an evangelism session there to give out Gospel tracts on the campus. As we asked permission from the authorities for such an endeavour, lo and behold, a great door of opportunity was opened for us. The school instead gave us the time to minister to them. What was envisioned as giving out tracts to the students turned out to be a Gospel rally for the whole campus. Praise the Lord for His providence!

Even on the eve of the Gospel rally, the Lord providentially led the Mission Team in preparing “giveaways” for the students and faculty. The men of the Mission Team were about to visit the home of the next family in the afternoon, before the next day’s evening Gospel rally. However, a heavy downpour prevented us from visiting the family, as it would be very difficult to travel to their place (which is situated some distance from the road), due to the thick mud that would be encountered on the way to their home. This subsequently led the men of the Mission Team to go back to Bogo Church, where they became helpfully involved in the preparations for the “giveaways”. With the willing and able help of the men, the preparations were done just in the nick of time, ready for the last home for visitation and for the Gospel meeting. Indeed, the Lord is the God of providence.

Once again, all glory and honour be unto the Lord God Almighty, who daily loadeth us with benefits. With all that the Lord has been pleased to work out providentially in our midst, a great challenge lies ahead for the missionary-in-charge and the brethren of the mission churches of Bogo and San Antonio. Truly, praise be unto the Lord for the members of the Mission Team, whom the Lord has used for our timely encouragement and example. May His gracious dealings manifested during the Mission Team’s visit, be our “impetus” for His continued work of the Gospel amongst us. Please uphold us in prayer, that we may be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58), for the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.

Sermon Text: Psalm 118:1–29
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 24th August 2025

READ:

1 Peter 2:11

¹¹ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

EXHORTATION:

With sincere affection and compassion for his readers, who were in the midst of persecution and fiery trials (1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12), the apostle Peter addressed them as “Dearly beloved”. Such an expression of sincere and hearty affection would have comforted and cheered their distressed souls. It also portrayed the apostle’s exhortation as a loving entreaty meant for their souls’ good and prosperity.

The believers were, first of all, reminded that they were temporary residents on this earth. In fact, some of his readers had been displaced from their homeland because of persecution. The apostle referred to them as “strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1:1). Their experience of being treated as “strangers” gives evidence to the spiritual reality that they were not of this world.

Peter had already alerted the believers that they were “strangers” and “sojourners” (1:1, 17). This is the third time in this epistle he was reminding the believers that they were not a people of this world. Christians should never expect total acceptance by the world. Neither should they desire to live like the people of this world. Jesus described the believers as “not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). He also told His disciples that “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19).

When He saved us, He was calling us out of all forms of worldliness. Our ambitions, aspirations and principles are no more of this world. Now we are a heaven-bound people. So as Peter mentioned here, we are “pilgrims”. The apostle Paul corroborated this truth when he wrote that “our conversation (i.e. citizenship) is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).

On this earth, Christians are constantly under attack. They are often “ambushed” by the world! Peter further pointed out here that they also have an enemy within them by warning them to “abstain from fleshly lusts”. Lusts of the flesh are lurking about for opportunities to destroy us. If we give them a chance, they will conquer us. Christians must therefore be vigilant against their own carnal propensities. Christians ought to be self-conquerors. Let us be vigilant against the onslaught of fleshly lusts.

READ:

Ephesians 6:11

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

EXHORTATION:

A clarion call is sounded out to God’s people to be up in spiritual arms for the battle that is being waged against their souls. For every Christian, there is a fight to be fought – and it must be combated well. The apostle Paul charged Timothy to “war a good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18) and “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).

No less than the full armour of God is required for the complete protection of the Christian. It is the only sure and impregnable defence against the wiles of the devil, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood. If our adversaries were mere human beings and possessed nothing beyond physical strength and ingenuity, we might be able to defend ourselves. But as we have to contend with Satan, who is a powerful spirit-being, we need the divine protection of the whole armour of God.

We are fighting against a superhuman force. Satan is not a solitary enemy; he has an army of demons beyond our ability to number. They are a much organised force and have distinctive roles in attacking Christians. We are told in Ephesians 6:12 that “we wrestle ... against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The battle can be a very close and intense hand-to-hand combat, like that of wrestling. However, though we have to face this wicked enemy, we fight him only when he comes to attack us. Scripture never teaches us to challenge the devil to battle. We wrestle and contend with him only in defence against his attacks.

With the Lord’s help and armed with His strength and armour, we can overcome the ferocious demonic beings that come against us. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). We are also reminded by the Word of God that Christ has already triumphed over these evil forces at Calvary’s cross (Colossians 2:15), and they will continue to suffer defeat to the very end (Revelation 20:10). Therefore, Christians are enjoined to fight the battle with the panoply of spiritual armour provided by the Almighty God. None of the wiles of the devil can prevail against God’s armour given to us. If we put on the whole armour of God, victory shall be ours, as we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37).

READ:

Romans 13:14

¹⁴ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

EXHORTATION:

Paul commands Christians to “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ”. But can we put on a person, like we put on clothing or armour? Notwithstanding, it is a common metaphorical phrase in the Greek language which indicates that we should put on the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. “It is a common phrase that a person has put him on, whom he imitates,” so said the early church father Chrysostom. In other words, it is a command to Christians to imitate Christ’s example and to become like Him.

Galatian Christians were reminded by Paul: “For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Ephesian believers were told, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

Developing a Christ-like character is every Christian’s highest duty. Being united to Christ, we must conform to His character. We must have a sincere desire to be like Him and give ourselves to constant prayer for the Holy Spirit’s aid to live like the Lord Jesus. We must also devoutly study the person and character of Christ in order to understand the manner and purpose of His life. There must also be a commitment to study all that Christ has taught so that we may know His will and do it. Without deliberate and habitual efforts to learn of Christ, we cannot imitate Him.

Those who put on Christ are also commanded to “make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” One of the greatest hindrances to Christ-likeness is the lust of the flesh. We are thus warned not to provide any opportunity for the gratification of our flesh’s sinful desires. How serious are you in this regard? Do you avoid circumstances that might tempt the flesh? Do you abstain from activities that arouse fleshly lusts?

We must not entertain the corrupt propensities of our bodies. Rather, we must yield to the Spirit of God, who warns us against the lust of the flesh and prompts us to walk according to the will of God. In Romans 8:12-13, Paul exhorted, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Likewise, Paul said in Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

READ:

Romans 13:8

⁸ Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

EXHORTATION:

As Paul begins to exhort the brethren concerning the debt of love that Christians owe one another, he said, “Owe no man any thing”. So, can we borrow money? The Bible allows lending and borrowing in times of real need (Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Psalm 37:26; Exodus 22:25). But it discourages us from being in debt, for a man’s debt would make him subservient to the lender (cf. Deuteronomy 15:6; 28:12, 44; Proverbs 22:7). The Bible also warns against taking responsibility for the debts of others (cf. Proverbs 6:1-5; 22:26-27). It is a sin to borrow and not repay (cf. Psalm 37:21). God does not want us to be under obligation to any because of unsettled debts.

Nevertheless, we must deem loving one another as our permanent debt and duty to others. This is not the first time Paul talked about love in his epistle to the Romans. In Romans 12:9-10, he described love as thus – “Let love be without dissimulation … Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love”. So, we must recognise our debt of love.

We are spiritually obliged to love everyone as our verse says, “love one another”. Love must be extended, without discrimination, to all and sundry in the church and everywhere. Love is a debt which can never be settled. Even though we have been daily showing kindness to others, yet our debt of love can never be fully paid as long as there is an opportunity to do good.

How much do we owe others? As much as we love ourselves (cf. Romans 13:9b; Matthew 19:19; 7:12; Ephesians 5:28-29), and as much as God has loved us (cf. John 13:34-35; 15:12-13). Remember how God loved us when we were His enemies (cf. Romans 5:8)? That is how we ought to love others.

Paul also told us the reason for the debt of love – “for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law”. Some think that the law and love are contrary to one another. Actually, they are in harmony with each other. Only by loving others can one be fully obedient to God’s moral laws. Galatians 5:14 says, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” James identifies loving others as the royal law - “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8). Love helps us to fulfil God’s law. True love helps us to uphold the righteous laws of God.

READ:

1 Peter 5:5c

^5c And be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

EXHORTATION:

This exhortation to all Christians to “be clothed with humility”, first of all, tells us that no one possesses it naturally. We need to put on humility and be sure that we remain clothed with it. It is not acceptable to the Lord that those who claim to be Christians are without it. Everyone ought to make sure that he is girded with humility.

The Greek word for “be clothed” depicts an interesting description of the act of putting on humility. The word refers to the common practice of slaves tying a white apron over their clothing to distinguish themselves as slaves. Like the slaves of Peter’s time, Christians should always be distinguished by their being clothed with humility. Their mannerism and conduct ought always to be with humility so that everyone is able to recognise them. Peter exhorts the readers to fasten humility to themselves once and for all. In other words, it stays with them for the rest of their lives.

Being clothed with humility is to be girded with the “vesture” of servitude. Every Christian should always be ready for service. Unfortunately, some Christians conduct themselves like those who are in the ceremonial dresses. They have no mind to serve humbly. They would be quite shocked if someone were to ask them to exert a little hard work. This sort of prideful behaviour is detrimental to the church’s unity and progress.

In our church life, each one of us should think humbly of himself and highly of his brethren. Humility in our church life will require of us never to be rough, haughty, arrogant, disagreeable, domineering, lordly, unruly, quarrelsome or unreasonable. True humility in church relationships will manifest itself in our willingness to undertake the meanest tasks for Christ’s glory and the benefit of our fellow brethren.

Christians should heed the exhortation to be humble because God sets His face against the proud. “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5). On the other hand, those who submit to God’s sovereignty in humility will find that He will lift them up and reward them. God’s gracious presence always accompanies those who humbly serve Him. Indeed, He lavishes His grace upon the humble.

READ:

1 Peter 5:5b

^5b Yea, all of you be subject one to another.

EXHORTATION:

Not only should the younger Christians submit unto the elder, but all should submit one to another. This is a very remarkable instruction which, if practised by everyone in the church, will bring about great peace and progress in the Lord’s work. It is the golden rule for church unity and kingdom advancement.

Though there are offices and positions of authority in the church, no one is to lord over another. All members ought to esteem and treat one another with respect. The pastors and elders must serve the people; the people should serve the pastors and elders. All must feel a sense of obligation to serve and thus to profit one another.

Members of the church should not undermine the leadership by speaking disparagingly of godly pastors and elders. They should not slander or berate them simply because they feel that their decisions or actions should have been different. A submissive communication with the leaders to clarify the matter is the right thing to do. Any disrespectful and abusive confrontation with godly men in the leadership is not only unbiblical, but also damaging to the spiritual unity of the church.

At the same time, seniors and men who hold offices in the church should not be aloof or over-exacting. In 1 Timothy 5:1, Paul advised Timothy to treat “the younger men as brethren”. Though they need to be strong and indeed wield spiritual authority, they must also listen to others respectfully. Both gentleness and firmness must characterise their leadership, with real concern shown for the unity of the church. They should not be domineering or self-promoting; they must be prepared to admit their mistake when in the wrong.

As a corollary, the younger men will get to learn submissive conduct from their elders and, in the process, be trained to assume leadership roles in church. Only men who serve God and His people submissively can be qualified as leaders of the church. The combination of godly leadership and submissive “follower-ship” with an attitude of humble respect for one another is God’s will concerning His church. Truly, if we would not regard ourselves lower than others, or be willing to gladly execute the meanest of offices and be ready on all occasions to “take the lowest place”, it would be downright impossible to be submissive.

READ:

1 Peter 5:5a

^5a Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.

EXHORTATION:

The apostle Peter requires the younger believers to submit unto “the elder”. Apparently, such submission to “the elder” is with respect to the latter’s age as well as office in the church.

It is not uncommon to hear of young men viewing older folks as outdated and outworn. Young people tend to spurn the ideas and suggestions of older men. They show frustration with older men’s cautious and patient approach to matters; they even judge the latter to be slothful or obstructive. To add insult to injury, some young people seem to have lost all proper manners, behaving rudely and crudely towards elder Christians. Such uncouth, impudent conduct runs counter to the divine counsels.

Scripture demands that young men must show respect unto the elder. “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:32). Reverence for the elderly must be inculcated as being part of the fear of God. If we fear God and keep His commandments, then we must also show respect and submission to the elder.

Young people must realise that years of learning and experience will have added greater wisdom and understanding to a godly elder. Indeed, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). So, there is much wisdom in submitting to a godly elder. Respect for age is not only good manners, it also constitutes wise and godly conduct as taught in God’s Word.

Godly and pious aged men can be a great source of wise counsels and guidance. Having accumulated years of experience, they are qualified to be young people’s advisers and guides. Their biblical instructions should not be rejected. In fact, it is to the young people’s advantage that God has provided them with godly elders in the church. They should not only show respect, but should also diligently seek and follow their wise counsels.

What if an elder is wrong? What if he has spoken or acted unwisely? 1 Timothy 5:1 advises us to “rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father”. We must not adopt a harsh, crude manner when we correct him. Rather, we must with meekness persuade him. We must appeal to his mind, showing politeness and respect due unto a father.

READ:

1 Peter 2:17

¹⁷ Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

EXHORTATION:

The apostle Peter here instructs Christians on their conduct in society. Though Christians are free in the Lord Jesus Christ, they must not act irresponsibly in the communities which God has placed them in. In the preceding verse, Peter exhorted: “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” To guide Christians in their proper conduct as God’s servants in their respective communities, Peter gives them four rules of conduct.

Firstly, Peter commands Christians to “honour all men”. Believers must treat every person with dignity and respect. Respect and honour must be accorded to even unbelievers as human beings. We must recognise the worth of all human beings in God’s sight and live so as to attract them to faith in Christ. A contemptuous disposition will not help us in our efforts to win them for Christ. The poor and the afflicted in society must not be despised. Proverbs 17:5 says, “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”

Secondly, Christians are commanded to “love the brotherhood”. All human beings should be respected, but there is a special bond among fellow believers. Christians are not only brethren, but a brotherhood, i.e. one body in Christ. Christians are a fraternity united in Christ. We gather in the church as members of one family with a special fraternal affection for one another. Loving the brotherhood of believers is our duty and privilege. Loving and being loved fortify every Christian as he lives in a world of many temptations and trials. A sympathetic demeanour towards fellow Christians is crucial to Christian camaraderie and advancement.

Thirdly, Christians are taught to “fear God”. The highest reverence and total submission must be due unto our God at all times. If this be found wanting, none of the other three duties can be performed rightly. As Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Finally, Christians are commanded to “honour the king”. Early Christians were commanded to respect the Roman emperor Nero’s authority though they could not but loathe his crimes. Christians must give due honour to those who rule the country. We may not agree with their beliefs and practices, but we must honour them for their office’s sake.