Prayer Wall

NAB Prayer Update: First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs

May We Mourn Together:

On most Sunday mornings as I am worshipping with a particular NAB congregation somewhere in either Canada or the United States—or occasionally on one of our mission fields—I find myself remembering that I am spiritually linked with 400 other NAB congregations filled with sisters and brothers in Christ who are worshipping the same God through the empowerment of His Spirit. At the same time, I regularly remember that I am also connected spiritually with millions upon millions of church goers who are gathering around the world to praise God, hear the Word, and find encouragement to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel in their locations. Most Sundays, the thought of worshipping collectively with the global church gives me joy, knowing that an anthem of praise sung around the world is being lifted to the glory of God.

This past week, though, my joy was turned to sorrow as I heard the news that one of those churches that sing in the global chorus of praise had their worship violently interrupted by a gunman. At least 26 people were killed last Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, a Southern Baptist church, about 40 miles southeast of San Antonio, Texas. In a few dark moments of violence and offense, bullets silenced the voices of our sisters and brothers in Christ.

We, as Baptists, hold firmly to the autonomy of the local church. There are times though—and I believe this is one—when we must remember that we are part of a wider family of believers. It would be good and right for us to mourn deeply in the next days, as we reflect on those in the body of Christ who were killed and as we pray for the earthly families and the local community that are mourning intensely. Let us grieve that sin and sickness still inflict this world and devastate the people that God so graciously created for His purposes.

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

In the eternally fulfilled Kingdom, believers from every time and geographical location will sing in a unified anthem of praise to God. Our sisters and brothers from Sutherland Springs will participate in that chorus. For now though, let our ears hear the silence emanating from their particular section of our choir, and may we mourn together.

Dan Hamil

Executive Director

North American Baptist Inc.

Received: November 12, 2017

Rhea Jenkinson

Update from Rhea Jenkinson:

I thank you for your prayers on behalf of my friend. She died October 31 and is now with the Lord. Her funeral is this Tuesday, November 7.

Please continue in prayer for her husband, daughters and spouses and the grandchildren.

Received: November 4, 2017

Rudy Funk

Please pray for Rudy Funk; he had a fall in their parkade a week ago yesterday, and suffered a concussion as a result. This has led to symptoms of dizziness and nausea. Rudy is currently recuperating at home and has just begun some medication that appears to be helping with the symptoms. Please pray for him as he continues to recover.

Received: November 3, 2017

WRBC

Patti Bonas has some immediate needs: 

She would appreciate visitors, preferably in the afternoon, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week (November 2-5).She will need assistance in reaching things, picking up items. Someone with a medical background will be good of course, but not necessary.

She would also appreciate some meals: small portions as she cannot eat very much. chicken, salmon, fish, but no pork. Grains, rice is okay. Some potato. Veggies like cauliflower, peas, carrots, onions, some garlic ok. No spices - as she cannot handle very much. Less salt. 

If you would like to visit her this week, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday please contact her at 204-488-3364. 

Received: November 1, 2017

Jonathan Ashbeck

Prayer request from Jonathan Ashbeck: I have two part time jobs now and I am so blessed that God gave me those two jobs so please pray so that I may do well on those jobs.

Received: October 17, 2017

Whyte Ridge Baptist Church

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Janet Giesbrecht passed away at 8:00 this morning after a lengthy struggle with heart-related issues. Please pray for John and for their family. Funeral details to follow.

Received: October 10, 2017

Janice Mantler

Janice Mantler

Please pray for Janice & Art, Jenn, Matt & Sarah. Janice's Dad (Ben Betcher) passed away around noon today.

Pray for safety as they travel to Swan River and as they grieve the sudden loss of Mr. Betcher.

Received: October 3, 2017

Steve Morris

Steve Morris requests prayer for his mother, Shirley Morris. She was taken to emergency at Kelowna General hospital on Wednesday and at 86 she is facing aortic heart valve replacement. She is in good spirits and in perfect peace as she rests in Christ, but physically weak due to a slow heart rate.

Pray for wisdom for the cardiologists tending to her care, good results to further tests, and confirmation of either Vancouver or Victoria to do the surgery. Also, please pray for peace for Steve's father, Norm Morris, as this is taxing for him as he watches his wife of 63 years of marriage go through this.

Received: October 1, 2017

Rhea Jenkinson

Update from Rhea Jenkinson: On September 11 Rhea Jenkinson asked for prayer for a friend. The diagnosis has been confirmed and Rhea's friend has been given weeks to a month to live. Please pray for peace of mind for this woman, her husband, children, grandchildren and friends as they deal with this devastating diagnosis.

Received: September 28, 2017

Whyte Ridge Baptist

Jennifer Nikkel-Walls passed away this afternoon at Riverview. Please be in prayer for Phil and Monique Nikkel and their family, and for Jennifer's husband Matt and daughter Avalynn.

Received: September 27, 2017

John Giesbrecht

Please pray for Janet Giesbrecht: Janet suffered her third heart attack in the Emergency Room of St. Boniface Hospital yesterday, September 18; she has now been moved into the cardiac ward. She is very weak and afraid.

Received: September 19, 2017

Rhea Jenkinson

Please be in prayer for a friend of Rhea Jenkinson who has a brain infection. It has damaged her memory to the point where she doesn't recognize her family or her own name. Doctors have no idea when or if there will be a recovery. Our God is the Healer. Please pray for His will for her future and for her family as they walk this path.

Received: September 11, 2017

Prayer for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Harvey began wreaking havoc in Texas Friday, Aug. 25, when the Category 4 storm made landfall. As it moved across southeast Texas and into Louisiana, it downgraded to a tropical storm, dropping record rainfall and causing widespread flooding.

A "potentially catastrophic" Hurricane Irma is currently roaring toward northeastern Caribbean islands as a Category 5 storm. Please pray for the areas impacted as various humanitarian organizations respond to help people affected by the storm.

Pray for families to reunite. With cell towers down in many areas, families are separated and have not been able to communicate with each other. Pray that as families seek help, they’re able to also reunite and stay in touch with loved ones.

Pray for children. It’s easy to be scared when you’ve been displaced from your home or even lost your home altogether. Pray for comfort for children, as many are sleeping in shelters amongst strangers or without a favorite blanket or stuffed animal that may have calmed them if it was available. Pray also for the safety of displaced children, as chaos is a key time for predators to seek vulnerable children.

Pray for aid workers and first responders. In the wake of a natural disaster, communication can be challenging, roads can be unpassable, and plans can be hard to execute as new obstacles develop. Pray for the people who are working to rescue families in trouble as well as those who are administering medical aid and distributing relief supplies.

Pray for the clean-up work. With several feet of water dumped across the regions affected, clean-up efforts will be extensive as the water recedes. Pray for wisdom for the leaders organizing the efforts and for safety as workers encounter hidden and emerging dangers.

Pray for those who lost loved ones. As workers have helped rescue people this week, the death toll has also risen. Pray for families who have lost someone and are grieving on top of all the other problems they face right now.

Received: September 6, 2017