Almighty God, you are high and lifted up above all things. Yet you also draw near to those who humble themselves before you. As we begin this month of prayer, we humble ourselves in your presence. All we have is from you. We can do no good thing without the power given by your Spirit. Your grace is our only hope both for this life and for eternity. In this month, please strengthen our reliance on you. Deepen our love for you. Increase our love of prayer. Draw close to us as we draw close to you.

We lift up our prayers for the world, Taiwan, Tunghai University, our church, and ourselves:

In Jesus’ name, amen.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16 ESV)

Loving Father, we praise you for our church. Not only have you called us to be your children, you have called us to be a family. We thank you for the long history of Tunghai Church. We thank you for all who have served as its leaders and all who have been members. We know that you have used this church to bring great blessing to Taiwan and the world. We pray that you may continue to do so. Let the light of your love shine in our hearts and in our church. Let this light reach into the lives of those around us who do not yet know you. Help us to love one another, so that the world may know we are your disciples. Let us do good works, so that the world will come to praise you. Use us, especially, in reaching the faculty, staff, and students of Tunghai University.

We lift up our own prayers, especially for the leaders of Tunghai Church and for our own friends in the church:

“Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:11–13 ESV)

Gracious God, we thank you today for the young people of our church: the children in our Sunday school, the youth in our Sunday program and our Saturday fellowship. They are a gift not only to their families but also to the church. Lord, we pray that your Spirit may rush upon them, even as he rushed upon the young David. Youth is not to be despised! It is the time of vigor and passion, a time when arms and legs are strong and hearts are filled with courage. You spoke through Samuel when he was young. Ecclesiastes admonishes us to remember our creator in the days of our youth. Jesus welcomed the children and blessed them. Cause the hearts of our young people to be fully devoted to you. Help our church to love them and teach them well. Give them vision for a lifetime of service to Jesus.

We lift up our own prayers, especially for the young people of our church and for our Sunday school and youth programs:

We lift up our own prayers, especially for our personal spiritual renewal: