Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

Heavenly Father, 

We praise you and thank you for the privilege of gathering together this morning with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Summit Woods. Please forgive us for the times that we have taken this privilege for granted. 

We pray for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ here in the Americas and all over the world, where they do not have the freedom to gather with their fellow believers in Christ. 

• We pray that they would know the hope that God alone gives (Ephesians 1:18). 
• We pray that our brethren facing persecution would rely on God, and not on themselves (2 Corinthians 1:7-9). 
• We pray that both they and us would fearlessly tell others about our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:20). 
• We pray that their witness would inspire those who plan to harm them (Acts 16:25; Luke 6:27-31). 
• We pray that you would provide for the physical needs of the persecuted believers in Christ Jesus (3 John 2). 
• We pray that they would experience God’s peace, despite their weaknesses and current circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:9). 
• We pray that you would protect them, according to your will (Matthew 26:39). 
• We pray that you would ultimately rescue them out of dangerous circumstances (Psalm 91:15). 
• We pray that persecuted Christians would feel deeply connected to our Lord Jesus in their suffering (John 15:19-20). 
• We pray that they would be completely faithful and surrendered to your holy will, like our Master Christ Jesus did (Revelation 2:10-11). 
• We pray that they would have the wisdom and discernment for how to approach every situation (Matthew 10:16-18). 
• We pray that as they share in Christ’s sufferings, they would be able to rejoice in the hope you offer them (1 Peter 4:12-14). 

 Merciful God, we also pray for some of their practical needs: 

• We pray that they would have access to a Bible. 
• We pray that they would have access to food and shelter. 
• We pray that you would give them the right words to say. 
• We pray that they would have opportunities to gather and that you would supply their needs for a community. 
• We beg you gracious Heavenly Father, that you would be an advocate for the women who are socially vulnerable or who have lost the custody of their children because of their faith. 
• We pray for courage, comfort and hope for those that have been separated from each other. 

Master Jesus, we recognize that “a slave is not greater than his master”. This world hates us because it hated you first. (John 15:18-20) And yet, we take courage, because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has overcome the world.  (John 16:33).  

 We praise you that nothing and no one can separate us from your eternal love. (Romans 8:31-39). We take comfort in that. Be glorified through our responses to life’s mundane or big situations. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.