I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus.         (1 Corinthians 1:4)

Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian believers by telling them that he thanks God for them, but the rest of the letter reveals how much grief they are causing him by their divisions, tolerance of sin, and rebellion against his authority. Is Paul being fakey-fake nice? I don’t think so because Paul goes on in verse 5 to say, for in Him [Christ] you have been enriched in every way…  Paul can thank God for the Corinthians with sincerity because he knows they have everything they need to live godly lives, even if they aren’t appropriating it at the moment. In contrast, my prayers for a brother or sister in Christ who is giving me trouble are mainly complaints! Following Paul’s example by thanking God for that sister (or brother) reminds me that we are in the same boat, she and I - sinners, saved by grace, dependent on the power of God. Thanking God also expresses trust that He will do His work in that person, in His way and in His time.
 
Here are some suggested prayer topics for this week:
 
1.  Are you at odds with a fellow believer – perhaps your spouse, an adult child, or someone at church? Thank God for him or her and remember that it’s not a hopeless case as long as the Holy Spirit is involved.
 
2.  Pray against evil that leads human beings to massacre other human beings, as has occurred most recently in Paris. Ask the sovereign Lord to restrain and judge that evil.
 
3.  In his #Divorce sermon a few weeks ago, Pastor Dave noted that Jesus refocused his questioners’ attention from divorce to God’s original intent for marriage. It is a reminder to pray for all of our marriages – the ones that are in rocky, dangerous territory and the ones that are basically sound but could be improved.
 
4.  Please continue to pray for healing and encouragement for Shawna Piña, who has multiple, serious health issues.
 
5.  A member of our Chinese congregation requests prayer for a man currently in prison in China, Pastor Song. A successful businessman in China, he was forced out of the country by greedy government officials who targeted his company. He came to the U.S. and became a Christian. Two or three years ago, the Holy Spirit called him back to China. As he expected, he was immediately imprisoned. He has since led hundreds of prisoners to the Lord. His wife, Anna, just returned to China to be close to her husband. Pray for strength for Pastor Song and his family, and pray that God’s power and glory will be demonstrated through their lives.
 
6.  I received an anonymous prayer request for a roommate on jury duty. Pray that he will be a righteous and honest juror.
 
7.  At Thanksgiving, many of us spend time with extended family we rarely see. In the Lord’s presence, examine these relationships. Is there one that is strained because of conflict in the past or eroded by long-term neglect? Ask Him what you can do to improve the relationship and to demonstrate His love.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea