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CBS is a growing fellowship among our youths that is dedicated to reaching students in tertiary education with the life-giving Word of God. At a time when campuses are filled with competing voices (many of which are spiritually destructive), along with captivating ideas and pressures that draw hearts away from Christ, this ministry exists to anchor young hearts and minds firmly in the truth of Christ. Through faithful teaching, Q&A sessions, prayer, and fellowship, Christian students are equipped to grow spiritually and live out their faith with courage and clarity.

Our campus ministry meets online every Thursday at 6:00 pm, making it accessible to students, regardless of location or academic schedule – so they can meet together to learn God’s Word. Each meeting centres on the study of God’s Word, encouraging thoughtful discussion, mutual edification, and prayerful reflection. It is a safe and welcoming space where students can ask questions, strengthen their convictions, and be encouraged in their walk with the Lord.

We warmly invite all tertiary students from colleges, polytechnics, universities, and professional institutions to join these weekly gatherings. Students are also encouraged to invite their friends and classmates, creating opportunities for others to hear the Gospel and encounter Christ through the Scriptures.

Bearing witness to Christ in tertiary institutions is both a privilege and a responsibility. Campuses are mission fields for Christian students to live out their faith, speak the truth in love, and reflect Christ’s character. God uses their witness to shine His light in places of learning and influence.

Believers in educational campuses face constant pressure from ungodly ideologies, moral compromises, and spiritually destructive voices that challenge their faith. This Campus Bible Study provides encouragement through God’s Word, strengthening students to stand firm in Christ, grow in discernment and live boldly as faithful witnesses. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8).

If you are a tertiary student, join CBS’s online meetings. Come, learn the Word, grow in faith, and be a faithful witness for Christ where God has placed you.

Additional Testimonies of GYF Retreat Participants (Continued)

Valencia Hutagalung

Thank God for the 3 days of this camp, which has taught me many valuable lessons concerning sin and temptation. Thank God for all those who worked hard over the past few months to ensure the smooth running of the camp, and even those serving in the many different areas during the camp as well. Praise God for the time of fellowship and learning of God’s Word together. 

I’m thankful for the theme messages faithfully preached by Pr Cornelius, on the theme: “Fight the Good Fight Against Sin”. These messages have helped me to reflect back on how I’ve been living my life and on my personal walk with God. As I navigate the struggles against sin in my daily life, these messages serve as timely reminders for me to continue to watch myself and resist the devil (James 4:7). I’ve learnt that temptation can be either internal or external. Temptation is not sin when it is external and resisted against, but becomes sin when it is internal and embraced. I’ve also learnt about the functions and limitations of God’s Law, and about habitual sins and how we can break them.

One particular lesson which has impacted me most is the importance of prayer and asking God to help us resist temptations. Prayer is submitting ourselves to God, asking God to bend our will according to His, and not changing His will according to what we want. 

I pray that I will continue to remember and apply these lessons amidst all the temptations around me. May I will continue to grow closer to God, and yield myself to Him in my fight against sin.

Lorraine Yong

I thank God for seeing me through another year and for enabling me to come for YF. The messages in YF have moved me and drawn me (and my brother Max) closer to God. Furthermore, by His grace and strength, Max and I had also attended the Catechism class. I also thank God for the encouragement from Pastor, Pr Cornelius, Dns Diana, the Aux-Comm, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Their fellowship, as well as their love and support, have encouraged me greatly. 

I’m thankful for the privilege to join this YF retreat, which has allowed us to learn the importance of resisting temptation and surrendering all our desires to the Lord. The Lord has truly blessed me with so much, and I pray that in 2026 I will be a more contented Christian and strive to be a good testimony to those around me, especially my family. May I also be a good encouragement to the younger youths joining YF in 2026, just like how the older sisters and brothers have done for me.

Rance Laurencio

Thank God for seeing us through the recent youth retreat, and for the edifying theme messages. The theme was an answered prayer for me, as often I find myself stumbling due to yielding to temptations in my continual walk with the Lord. Indeed, “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because (I) keep not thy law” (Ps 119:136).

I thank God for the aid of brothers and sisters who cared and looked after me, and for the recovery and sustenance God has given me, while I fell unwell due to sudden diarrhoea during the camp.

In particular, I thank God for the opportunity to use my God-given talent to serve Him by designing the cover for this retreat’s booklet. The concept I had in mind focused on the shield, inspired by Ephesians 6:16 – “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Furthermore, when I was brainstorming and exploring ideas, I followed the idea of the sword – “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

Finally, I thank God for all of His blessings, and I pray that we may all be channels of God’s blessings to others.

Chloe Chan

I thank God for the opportunity to attend my first YF retreat, where I was richly nourished by His Word and blessed through meaningful fellowship. Amidst the many internal and external temptations I face in my daily life, the messages shared during the retreat served as a timely and much-needed reminder to continually fight the good fight against sin.

I was reminded of the importance of staying close to God and His Word, which serves as a mirror that reveals our sinful nature and our deep need for salvation. This spiritual battle requires conscious effort and steadfast faith. We must remain aware of the sinful lusts that dwell within us, willingly submitting and surrendering them to God so that they may be put to death.

Our struggle with sin will persist and may even intensify as we grow older. Yet, this very struggle is testament of our salvation, for it reflects a renewed heart that now hates sin and desires righteousness. Therefore, we must remain prayerful and watchful, yielding our bodies as instruments of righteousness and not of sin, as we rely wholly on God each day in this ongoing battle. “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13).

The Bible gives us a wide liberty in prayer. We may bring to God anything that is truly needful and pleasing in His sight. Yet Scripture also shows us certain things that every church in every age ought especially to seek from the Lord. Here are ten chief things I am asking of God for our congregation, and I earnestly invite you to labour with me in prayer for these, with repentance, humility, faith, and holy expectancy: 

1. A renewed, close communion with our Triune God – that we will draw near to Him with reverential and yearning hearts, and find delight in His presence day by day (James 4:8).
2. A holy walk marked by Christlikeness – that our thoughts, words, and actions may more clearly reflect our Saviour (Eph. 4:24).
3. A deep enjoyment of His Word – not only to read it, but to love it, understand it, and obey it (Psalm 1:2).
4. Empowered by the Spirit to declare the Gospel, both near and far, and win souls – that Christ may be known and glorified (Acts 1:8).
5. Wisdom to escape the temptations, seductions, and apostasies of our time – that we be enabled to stand firm in the truth (Jude 24).
6. Godly leadership in church and homes – that those who guide others may themselves be guided by the Lord (Acts 20:28).
7. Endurance in trials, marked by courage and the joy of the Lord – that we might suffer well and witness well (James 1:2–3).
8. Love and unity in the church – that divine love, compassion, forgiveness, and warm fellowship may flow freely from one to another (John 13:35).
9. Obtain a good report for faith and good works – that we may bring no reproach upon the name of Christ but glory to our Lord, and be a pattern and cheer to all the saints of Jesus Christ everywhere (Matthew 5:16).
10. Abounding in the hope of Christ’s return and heaven – living in this present world with hearts and eyes fixed on the world to come (Titus 2:13).

Additional Testimonies of GYF Retreat Participants

Ruben Skariah

I thank God for the privilege to attend another memorable youth retreat. The faithful preaching of the Word and sweet fellowship with fellow youths have brought me much spiritual encouragement.

I have benefited greatly from both workshops. During the first one, we watched a documentary on the battle for Jerusalem during the Six-Day War. We saw how God gave the Israelites an incredible victory over 4 Arab nations: Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. We also heard the firsthand accounts of Israeli paratroopers. Pastor then connected the events of the past to the current war in Gaza. It gave me a better understanding of how to respond to friends who express strong pro-Palestinian views against Israel.

The other workshop was on why we use the King James Bible. Pr Cornelius explained that the KJV is the best translation (though we do not say it is a perfect translation), because it faithfully renders the underlying Hebrew and Greek texts, which are preserved by God through the ages. He also highlighted that the translators were God-fearing and academically qualified, and they used a superior translation method known as “formal equivalence”. Finally, the theology and doctrines are more faithfully preserved in the KJV than in many other versions.

The 5 messages on the theme, “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin”, prompted me to examine my life in the light of God’s Word. I pray that I will submit myself to God and let Him reign over my life, so that I may not be a servant of sin. May all of us continue to guard our hearts, and be alert to the evils around us.

Jesimiel Lim

Praise God for the Youth Fellowship, where I have been guided, nurtured and equipped spiritually, and where I can serve the Lord and grow with fellow youths!

Thank God for Pastor and Pr Cornelius, who labour to teach us God’s Word from the Book of Judges, 2 Corinthians, and “Old Stories, New Lessons”, during the Gethsemane Youth Bible Hour (GYBH). Praise God for Dns Diana and the Auxiliary Committee, for their godly examples, and their care and support for us youths in our walk with God. I thank God for many precious lessons learnt during our GYBH. I’ve learnt from Gideon’s story that God uses those who are ready and trust in the Lord to serve Him. Jotham’s story taught me never to leave precious opportunities to serve God for seemingly attractive worldly pursuits. The new series on “Old Stories, New Lessons” have been an answered prayer, as I have desired to study these historical Biblical accounts again. One lesson I’ve learnt is that we open ourselves to Satan’s deception when we fail to know God’s Word thoroughly.

Thank God also for an enjoyable youth retreat, and for enabling Pr Cornelius to expound God’s Word on the theme, “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin”, giving many relevant applications to our lives. Thank God for the labour of love of the YF Committee and the Auxiliary Committee in organising the YF Retreat, with our spiritual benefit as their utmost priority. The messages helped me to reflect, grieve over past sins, and prepare spiritually for the following year. I’ve learnt that temptations are spiritual tests we face daily, where we either choose to sin or to obey God. May these tests be means for our sanctification, and not arenas of sin. I also pray that God may help me overcome my besetting sins through fasting and prayer.

Additionally, thank God for the two very insightful workshops we had. In “God’s Promised Land for Israel”, we learnt about the history behind the animosity between Israel and its surrounding countries, how every prophecy and promise in God’s Word will come to pass, and were reminded of Jesus’ soon return. The workshop on “Why We Use the King James Bible” helped me understand how God has – by His single care and providence – perfectly preserved His Word, and why the KJV is the most faithful translation—due to the 4 T’s: Text, Translators, Technique and Theology. 

Thank God for all His bountiful blessings, and I pray we youths may grow in love and service unto the Lord. “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

Mehetabel Lim

I thank God for seeing me through another year in the GYF. I especially thank God for Pastor and Pr Cornelius, for their dedication and labour of love to preach on selected topics during each GYBH session. I also thank God for the GYF Committee, the Auxiliary Committee, and every youth who has laboured in various aspects of the GYF throughout the year. 

Thank God also for the opportunity and provision to attend this year’s youth retreat. I praise God especially for the warm fellowship with fellow brethren, as well as for granting us good weather to hold the games, even though it had been raining initially. I’m thankful for the faithful and sound preaching by Pr Cornelius on the theme, “Fighting the Good Fight Against Sin”, where I learnt many applicable lessons. 

I would like to share a few takeaways on what I have learnt. Firstly, I have learnt that the source of temptation is not from God. Secondly, I have learnt that the existence of temptations is no reason to blame God. Thirdly, I learnt that temptations must be tackled daily. Finally, I learnt that we must not have a sad outlook because of temptations, but instead look forward to the reward for resisting sin. All praise and glory be unto God!

(Edited excerpts from the message preached during last Tuesday night’s Prayer Meeting)

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). 

Although not structured as a formal prayer, Galatians 6:14 conveys the apostle Paul’s deep godly aspiration and resolve out of a heart wholly submitted to God for the exaltation of Christ alone. Paul’s words in this verse contain several traits of genuine prayer: (i) they exhibit a worshipful resolve, (ii) they express the spirit of devotion, even a cry of deep allegiance to the cross of Christ and a forsaking of worldly and self glory, and (iii) they exemplify a heart dedicated singularly to the holy aspiration of magnifying Christ above all else.

A Prayer of Surrendered Boasting

“But God forbid that I should glory...”

Paul’s language (“God forbid”) is strong. “God forbid” translates a Greek phrase of strong rejection – “May it never be!” He was expressing a strong prayerful wish that it would never be found in him to boast in anything that exalts self. He desired to be stripped of every inclination to seek honour from his righteousness, success, or possessions. He wanted any desire or expectation of human praise out of his mind. His prayerful ambition was that he would be delivered from self-exaltation and spiritual pride. 

In the context of this verse, Paul exposed the motives of the Judaizers, teachers who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and observe the ceremonial laws to be fully accepted by God. Paul argued that they did so to avoid persecution and to boast in the outward conformity of their converts. Their focus was on external religion, not inner transformation. The false teachers boasted in the flesh – in outward marks of religiosity, such as circumcision.

We must be aware of our potential to succumb to subtle arrogance that can cause us to boast in our religious rites, roles, titles, performance, etc. So, like the apostle Paul, we must seek God’s help to cast down every trophy of flesh. A believer’s prayer must echo this rejection: a heart emptied of self, so it may be filled with Christ. 

“O Lord, forbid that I should glory in anything of myself, my intellect, my beauty, my success, or my religious heritage. Let all boasting be silent before the weight of Thy glory.”

A Prayer Anchored in the Cross

“... save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ …”

Paul’s prayer was that his soul would glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ alone – not just the wooden beam on which He was hung, but all that it means: the perfect atoning sacrifice Christ made for the forgiveness and justification of sinful, guilty, and condemned humanity. The cross was the symbol of God’s merciful provision for the removal of His wrath against us, that we may be eternally reconciled to God and be heirs of all His promised blessings, including heaven. The cross is not merely the entry point of salvation; it is the daily triumph and glory of the believer in all that God has provided for us through Christ (cf. Romans 8:32). 

This prayer acknowledges the centrality of the cross as the believer’s sole claim before God. Paul utterly rejected any grounds for boasting in himself, his achievements, or religious observances (like circumcision, which he has discussed earlier in the Book of Galatians). The cross is the heart of a Christian’s theology, ethics, worship, ministry and life. The desire and prayer of a Christian’s life and ministry ought to be enjoying and fulfilling the purposes for which Christ died on the cross.

So let us pray, “Lord, teach me to live under the shadow of the cross. In all duties and experiences of my life as a Christian, may I humbly live for the cross of Christ, and not for the honour of self and the world. May the cross be my identity, my song, my hope, and my anchor.”

A Prayer to be Separated from the World

 “... by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” 

To say that “the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world”, is to declare that the world’s allure is dead and powerless to oneself. The world, in its rebellion against God, promotes self-exaltation and glory, so the believer ought to see through its dreadful spiritual state, and pray to God for maintaining a separation from it.  

Paul sees not only the world as dead to him, but also himself as dead to it. This is a two-way crucifixion! Like Paul, every Christian should consider the world to be crucified through Christ. The believer, living by Christ, has a new identity in the world. He is no longer a worldly citizen, but a citizen of heaven on earth. His loyalty is no longer to this world, but to Christ. He lives not for earthly gain, but for divine purposes in Christ. Because of our admiration for Christ, the world should grow dim in our minds. Its pleasures should lose their sweetness, its ambitions their shine, and its applause its value. 

Let us pray, “Lord, make me dead to the systems and values of this fallen world. Help me to detach myself from its pride, its lusts, its carnal passions. Guard me from loving what Thou hast taught us to hate in this world. May I be quick to sever the cords that tie my heart to worldly prestige, fleshly desires, and selfish ambition. Let Thy cross separate my soul from this present evil world, that I may always live for Thy glory.”

In Acts 3:1, we see Peter and John going up together into the temple, “at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour”. God would use these two apostles to bring about healing in a man who was lame. “And he (the lame man) leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them (Peter and John) into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).

This miracle was wrought at the hour of prayer. A certain man, who was lame from his mother’s womb, was carried and laid at the gate of the temple on a daily basis (v. 2). He was there to ask alms. Asking of alms was a common thing among the poor people of the Jewish community. If they were blind, or lame (like this man was), they would normally sit outside the temple, where people often came to pray. Showing mercy to the poor and needy is something God has commanded both in the Old and New Testaments, so many worshippers would give alms to help these poor people to survive, including this lame man in question. But something else better happened to this man. For Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (v. 6). And then Peter “took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (v. 7). Amazingly, this man didn’t immediately run back home to tell the people, but he went into the temple together with Peter and John, to pray and praise God (cf. v. 8). The most important thing to him, upon restoration of his mobility, was to get into the temple to pray – not to go away to engage in self-centred pursuits, Brethren, why does God heal us? Why does He save us and give us all spiritual and physical blessings? That we should pray.

Prayer in the Leadership and Laity

Significantly, we can observe two categories of people mentioned here. Firstly, the apostles Peter and John (representing the leaders), who were observed to be going to pray. Peter was a man who would have a big role to play in the early leadership of the church. Before Paul appeared on the scene, Peter was the most celebrated among the early church leaders. John, another “pillar” of the church leadership (cf. Galatians 2:9), was seen on several occasions together with Peter in the Acts episodes. It seemed that both were the chief representatives of the apostles. This is corroborated in 8:14-15, “when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them (the Samaritan converts) Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost”.

These were two mighty leaders of the early church, who were able to stay together and serve God because they were prayerful people. Truly, the leadership of our church must be a prayerful leadership. There is something really special about the leadership that pray. God will use them mightily. But the converse is true – the leadership that cannot pray together is in great danger! Peter and John, though endued with so much power of the Holy Spirit, performing stupendous miracles, went regularly to seek God in the temple. It goes without saying why they went to the temple at the ninth hour. Was it to perform some miracle? No, but to pray! For it was the hour of prayer in the temple. They went there like any other worshipper – to pray! That, we believe, is the secret of their mighty ministry together as church leaders.

Secondly, the prayerful inclination of the healed lame man (representing the lay people) is also worthy of more than a passing mention. Because of Peter and John, he was also led to enter the temple to pray. A praying leadership will give rise to praying congregations. This is alluded to in Acts 1:14, where we see not only the eleven disciples, but also others (including “the women”) being mentioned as praying with them. This is significant in the ministry of the church. While it is a pastor’s duty to pray as an expression of his faith (in obedience to God who commands that we should pray), at the same time, it is also his duty to call people to pray for him. Take a leaf from the apostle Paul’s desire for the lay people to join him in prayer.

When Paul wrote to the Romans, he said in Romans 15:30, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me”. Paul asked the people in the church to exert themselves in the spiritual exercise of prayer on behalf of him. He was unashamed about this matter of asking others to pray with him and for him. In Ephesians 6:19, we read that he had asked the Ephesian church to pray “for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel”. Without question, for the church ministry to flourish, both the leadership and laity must strive together in prayer, so that, among other things, “the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). 

Prayer for Strengthening of Ministry

Belief in Christ and prayer are two sides of the same coin. Every believing heart is supernaturally, spiritually endued with the desire for prayer. There is not a believing heart that doesn’t pray. The greater the faith of a man, the greater his prayer habits. Dear church, we must not fail to pray if our ministries (both local and overseas) are to flourish. It is good to remember that Peter and John, who were going up to the temple to pray together, were working together for the spreading of the Gospel. When you pray together, you work well. Whether you are serving in a committee, or going for evangelism, or engaging in visitation of the elderly / needy brethren in church, it is vital to pray first. Otherwise, you may quarrel along the way, or your visitation may end up in disarray. Likewise, if you are singing together in a choir, or if you are working together in the PA team, or the internet media ministry, or the ushers’ ministry, or the refreshments team (which also oversee the Holy Communion preparations), etc., always pray first – and pray together frequently.

The attitude of prayer ought to be one of humility, and acknowledgment of weakness prevailing in us. It is not a time to show off our powers. Each time we come together as a church (even if it’s a small group of brethren), it is most necessary and fitting to pray to the Lord. It is not without reason that the Old Testament temple (and, as a corollary, the church) is called “an house of prayer” (cf. Isaiah 56:7). 

Prayer Requires Regular Appointed Times

If the church is to be a house of prayer, then there must be appointed seasons of prayer in the church. Notice that Peter and John went up to the temple regularly for prayer. There was a set time for prayer, which, according to Acts 3:1, was the ninth hour (i.e. 3 o’clock in the afternoon). The ninth hour was one of the set times for Jewish prayers. According to the Old Testament, there were morning sacrifices, and evening sacrifices in the temple (cf. Exodus 29:38-42), so the believing Jews all went to the temple to pray at those set times, as it was customary.

There is thus biblical precedent for the church to set aside a regular appointed time for corporate prayer – hence the weekly church prayer meeting, which is, in many ways, the “power-house” of the church. Sadly, there are people who don’t believe in the importance of prayer meeting. Worse still, there are people in churches today who don’t see the need for daily prayer, as individuals and as a family. They say there’s no evidence in the Bible for such daily devotion. Do they not know from Scripture how Job prayed for his children every day, even with sacrifices, in case they had sinned and thereby needed sanctification (cf. Job 1:5)? Have they conveniently forgotten the biblical instruction in Deuteronomy 6:7, where God says that a father should speak about God’s Word with his children while he sits, walks, lies down, and moves about with them? Have they not read the Book of Proverbs (especially chapters 1 to 8), wherein is impressed upon us how a father and mother should instruct the children in the Word of God? The biblical teaching is that such times for devotion / prayer are not just on a regular basis, but as often as possible! The same applies to the larger family of God, the church.

Truly, when a church makes full use of those provisions under God’s providence to pray (at set times and set places), there’ll be provisions of God’s blessings. While none of us today is an apostle and so won’t be able to heal people miraculously, we will be used by God to restore many to the joy of salvation, and to spiritual health. That, spiritually speaking, is the biggest miracle! Just like that healed lame man, who “entered … into the temple, … praising God”! That being the case, may we, as a church, pray always (Luke 18:1) and without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Amen.

Before Christ’s ascension, He commanded the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit’s promised empowerment, that they may be His witnesses all around the world. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). For “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

In obedience to the Lord’s command, the apostles returned to Jerusalem (Acts 1:12a), and “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). That first prayer gathering after Christ’s ascension, which began with just the eleven apostles, eventually grew to a total of about 120 (Acts 1:15). From that group of praying men and women who waited for the power of the Holy Spirit, sprang up the first New Testament church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1–47)!

Be Given to Prayer

The Lord’s instruction to the apostles to tarry in Jerusalem led them to a season of prayer, together with other believers. They prayed with hearts submissive to the Lord’s command, and with the joyous expectation of the Spirit’s might  that would empower them as witnesses to the Gospel in a hostile world. Though they hardly knew the details of what would happen, they knew for sure that life and the ministry ahead of them would be full of trials and sorrows. But their persistence in prayer would be instrumental in preparing them for all the challenges which they would face. Through constant collective prayers, the church overcame persecution, apostasy, temptation, and made significant progress in preaching the Gospel and advancing the church’s work.

The early church relied on God through prayer for all their spiritual and physical needs. They relentlessly pursued divine help in prayer. They prayed individually as believers (cf. Acts 9:10–12, 40; 10:9), and corporately as a church (cf. Acts 1:14, 24; 4:24–31; 12:5, 12). What a far cry from the contemporary church! Sadly, prayer is much neglected in the church at large today. In churches of our day and age, we hear of large crowds turning up for concerts, for entertainment, and even for listening to the testimonies of the rich and famous. Prayer meetings, on the other hand, attract only the faithful few. Lack of interest in prayer is the primary reason for the weakness of the contemporary church.

We must take care not to be drawn away from prayer by laziness, pleasure, business, etc. The dire consequences of neglect of prayer cannot be ignored. The present circumstances in which we live and serve are perilous to holy living that is acceptable to God. There are many powerful temptations and demonic doctrines that lurk around us. Only through much prayer can we keep ourselves holy for our Master’s use. Unless we are diligent in prayer, we will be overtaken by the adversary’s ploys to destroy us (cf. Luke 21:36). Truly, only when we are given continually to prayer will the church members’ personal life and the church ministries flourish spiritually.

Be Earnest in Prayer

That is why we read of Paul’s apostolic exhortation to the church in Colossae, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). We too must take heed of this injunction to pray with earnest perseverance and give ourselves unto prayer as God’s Word requires. Now, the Greek word (proskarteréō) translated as “continue” has the idea of “to continue to do something with intense effort, even with the possibility of difficulties along the way, until one has brought it to the wished-for end”.

So, firstly, our prayers must be earnest before God. Prayer should never be perfunctory. A casual or superficial attitude in prayer is akin to being irreverent before God. An indifferent heart in prayer is tantamount to mocking God’s holy and solemn presence. Wandering hearts and sleepy prayers are not befitting the majestic presence of our gracious God. Then, secondly, there must be devoutness and commitment to prayer. Jesus had said that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). This is not to say that we are to be always on our knees, but rather that the spirit of prayer should never be laid aside. We must have a prayerful spirit all the time. We must also delight in frequent prayers, whether they be short or protracted prayers. God must be frequently sought, for He alone is our help.

Scripture records many examples of men and women who prayed earnestly and without ceasing. We need not look too far. Even in Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, the apostle mentions his co-labourer, Epaphras, as “always labouring fervently for you in prayers” (Colossians 4:12). Such constancy in prayer has been the secret of God’s servants who are God-honouring. Such is also the secret of a God-honouring, vibrant, fruitful church. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, a praying church will be empowered and guided to fulfil God’s glorious purposes concerning its work on earth. Believers will be built up in knowledge and godliness to serve the Lord in love, unity and peace, that the Gospel may spread far and near. The Spirit of God will invigorate a praying church to magnify the Lord, that more members may be added to the church as the blessings of the Gospel of Christ spread throughout the community.

Be Watchful in Prayer

In Paul’s apostolic counsel on prayer, we are also called unto watchfulness in prayer—“watch in the same” (v. 2b). The word rendered “watch” has the idea of “refrain from sleep”, “stay awake”, “be alert”, “be vigilant”. When physical tiredness and sleepiness prevented Peter, James and John from being awakened unto prayer, Jesus rebuked them: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40–41). Even physical fatigue is not a satisfactory excuse for failing in prayer. Christians must be awake unto the pressing matters of life and ministry, so as to bring them to God in prayer.

Besides, being watchful also entails looking out for what God has already blessed us with, which should evoke a thankful spirit in us. Whenever we pray, we must be full of thankfulness towards God. Admittedly, we are more prone to ask or complain than to give thanks. When we pray, we must be grateful for the blessings already granted, and for the promises He has given unto us. Beware: ungrateful men are not fit to pray! On the other hand, grateful men who depend upon God for spiritual wisdom and power to lead those under their care will pray without ceasing. Those who desire to be faithful in their God-given roles will be utterly dependent on God through prayer. Gratefulness and watchfulness would hasten them to the presence of God. They will be serious in their commitment to pray for their families and those under their charge, as well as to pray with them. They will also count it their special joy and duty to be with people who gather together to pray. Indeed, men of faith are not only given to prayer, but also earnest and watchful in prayer.

Conclusion

Most of us are not called to be preachers of the Word or to be leaders of the church. But all of us are called to be mighty in intercession. Like Epaphras, who was constantly mindful of his home church and toiled in prayer for the brethren (cf. Colossians 4:12), we too must pray. With burden, faith and thanksgiving we must pray. Let there be godly expectation of divine blessings as we pray for ourselves and our church. All of us can pray for one another—and that we must do.

In our recent mid-week gathering on Tuesday nights, we have been focusing on John 15:1-11 for the meditation of His Word before our prayer time. We learned how our Lord Jesus Christ has emphasised the importance and benefits of the spiritual relationship which all true believers should have with Him and the Father, using the imageries of the Father as the ‘Husbandman’ (vinedresser), Christ as the ‘Vine’ and believers as the ‘fruitful branches’. Towards the end of the above section of His discourse, Jesus emphasised how those who abide in Him will be prayerful, resulting in their experience of joyfulness.

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:7–11).

Clearly, according to Christ, those who abide in Him and His words will be moved to ask of Him whatsoever they will, and they will be granted the requests. Prayer will be the natural expression of the desires and expectations of their hearts, resulting from their abiding in Christ. Prayer becomes the verbal articulation of their communion with Christ. Prayer is not meaningless utterance (i.e. vain repetition of words [cf. Matt. 6:7]) or demand of carnal desires (i.e. asking amiss [cf. James 4:3]), but vocalisation of desires of hearts that abide in Christ! Our prayers must flow from our relationship with Christ and the nourishment we receive through His Word. Prayers not defined by our abiding in Christ are null and void.

From the understanding that Jesus gives in John 15:1-11 about the correlation between our abiding in Him and our prayers, I shared some vital truths that should shape and constitute our prayers last Tuesday night. They are briefly recounted below.

Father, we thank Thee for:

1. Christ, the Vine, which Thou has made us branches thereof (v. 1). Without Christ, whom the Father has sent, we shall never be part of the vineyard.
2. Thy pruning (“purging”) that makes us abundantly fruitful. “… every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (v. 2).
3. The spiritual nourishment we receive from Christ through His Word, just as the branches that abide in the vine receive their nourishment. “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (vv. 3-4).
4. The fruitfulness we are assured of (and expected from us). “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (v. 5).
5. The promise of prayer to all those who abide in Christ. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (v. 7).
6. The promise of divine love to all those who abide in Christ. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” (v. 9).

Father, we ask of Thee for:

1. Spiritual nourishment to be fruitful believers. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away…” (v. 2a).
2. Greater fruitfulness through Thy nourishing and chastening (“purging” or pruning). “… and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (vv. 2b-3).
3. Thy abiding presence to delight us to abide in you and be fruitful. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (vv. 4-5).
4. Thy mercy to forgive and revive us if we are withering or lacking fruit. “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (v. 6).
5. Understanding to pray according to Thy Word. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (v. 7).
6. Thy glory to manifest in and through us. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit…” (v. 8a).
7. Help to bear the genuine marks of discipleship – “so shall ye be my disciples” (v. 8b). Let all the proofs of being Christ’s faithful disciples be experienced and seen in us.
8. Help to rejoice in Thy love for us, just as the Lord Jesus delights in the Father’s love for Him. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (vv. 9-10).
9. Help to know and obey Thy commandments as we abide in Thy love. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (v. 10).
10. Fullness of joy to fill us. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (v. 11).

Text: Matthew 6:6
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 5 July 2020