Bible Focus with slides
The Bible In Focus Study Guide
Baptist Churches of NSW Spring Edition Prayer Letter
Season: Spring 2025 Spotlight: Mission Dear Praying Friends, Thank you for praying for your churches, your region and our movement in NSW and ACT. We’re so grateful for your prayers that God would continue to move amongst us and work through us. This spring season our prayer spotlight is mission. As you pray through the daily prompts, you’ll see highlights asking God to continue to call people to himself. He is already at work in our world! He asks us to join him in his mission to seek and save those who are lost. Will you pray for workers to be sent to the harvest? Are you ready to be part of the answer to that prayer? Our 4 x 4 Online Spring Prayer Hour will be held on Zoom on Wed 19th Nov 7.30pm to 8.30pm. To join in, please REGISTER HERE. We are also holding a Special Prayer Hour on Wednesday 5th November at 7.30pm, in the week leading up to our November Gathering (incorporating the Ordinary Assembly). You can register for that prayer hour HERE. Join us for a time of asking God to guide us as a movement at Ryde Baptist Church on Saturday 8th November. May God bless you as you engage in the ministry of prayer so that we, together, may proclaim the Gospel clearly, as we should. Grae McWhirter Associate Director / Strategic Support and Regional Development Colossians 4:4 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.“ October Wednesday 1st: The Bedford College team would like you to pray that, as the term ends, we thank our Heavenly Father for his guidance and grace through every challenge and success. Pray for the Bedford team as the continue to impact the lives of their students. Thursday 2nd: Give thanks with the State Youth Camp team for the lives changed amongst young people at SYC this year. Pray for the youth groups who attended, that the impacts of the weekend would grow through the ministry of the local churches who continue to minister to youth and young people. Friday 3rd: Please pray for the Ministry Standards Team as they have received an increased number of claims in recent months from the National Redress Scheme. Pray for new staff team members (Pete Davies, Keith Jobberns and Andy Yule) now working in this area, and for church leaders as they seek to respond with wisdom and compassion to these difficult matters. Pray also for those lodging claims that they would have an increased awareness of God’s love and presence. Saturday 4th: Pray for the ministry of the Association’s Church Health Team. Pray for the 35 pastors who have been participating in the current “Multiply” training program, equipping them to lead healthy and fruitful churches. Pray for the development of new resources in the areas of Stewardship & Generosity, and Welcoming & Integration. Sunday 5th: The Morling College team would like us to thank God for the safety and progress of the Macquarie Rise construction at Morling’s Sydney campus. Pray for continued protection and timely completion of the work. Thank God for Morling students from regional, rural and overseas contexts. Pray they will find meaningful connections in their local communities, churches and within the College. Pray for Morling students as they complete their final assessments and exams. Ask God that their learning will shape their faith, character and readiness for ministry, mission and service. Monday 6th: Baptist World Aid (BWA) asks us to pray for the work of their partners in Nepal as they help teachers improve schooling, so children can learn and thrive in a stimulating environment. Pray also for justice for workers who experience unfair conditions, unsafe environments and slavery in the fashion industry supply chain around the world. Tuesday 7th: Our regional ministry in the Western Districts is led by Regional Minister Wayne Spencer (pastor at Yeoval Baptist Church). Please pray for Wayne and his team and for ministry and mission amongst regional and remote churches in small towns, that God would use them to grow his Kingdom. Give thanks for the recent inaugural Common Ground conference for pastors and leaders across the churches in the western districts, where over 120 people gathered at Orange Baptist Church for inspiration, learning and sharing. Pray for God to continue to bless this area in our movement. Wednesday 8th: The Association’s Church Multiplication Team would like you to pray along with them today. Please pray for churches in the southwest Sydney area as they begin to form a new region and church planting network. Pray for the regions across our State and the ACT as they consider where God is leading them to plant churches. Thursday 9th: The Association’s Children and Families Ministry Team ask us to pray for children in transition. Term 4 often brings significant change for many children as they move from kid’s ministry spaces into youth programs, often alongside the shift into new schools. Pray for kids and youth teams as they help make this transition meaningful and faith-building. Ask God that children and young people would experience a deep sense of belonging in church community, not just within age specific programs. Friday 10th: Please pray for ongoing multiple conflicts around the world, praying for God to grant justice and peace. Pray also for the affects of these conflicts on our migrant diaspora communities in Australia. Our local Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) churches continue to feel the pain of conflicts such as those in Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Papua New Guinea and beyond. Some of these conflicts have lasted for decades. Please pray for healing amongst communities affected. Saturday 11th: Shelley Ashton (Team Leader, SRE) is asking us to pray for our SRE coordinators as they start to negotiate with schools for 2026 and the opportunities to speak at school parent information orientation sessions for kindy and year 7. Saturday 12th: Today is the beginning of Baptism week. Pray, along with Australian Baptist Ministries (ABM) and Crossover Australia, for people responding to God’s calling and for churches who are celebrating those who are coming to Christ through baptism services across our country. Ask God to speak clearly through preachers and those sharing their faith journey, that visitors feel welcomed in our communities, and for the encouragement and strengthening in faith of new believers being baptised. Monday 13th: Pray for those who took part in the 156 Alpha groups that were run in our Baptist Churches in NSW & ACT as part of Mission25 this year! Ask God to grow the seeds that have been planted. Ask for ongoing relationships and continued faith conversations. Pray that the Spirit might bring about new faith commitments. Ask God to convict and challenge individuals to take steps of faith, declaring love for Jesus through baptism. Tuesday 14th: Baptist Financial Service (BFS) would love it if you could pray for David Slinn (CEO) and the team today. Pray for God to enable the NSW/ACT team as they respond to an increased workload, particularly loan enquiries for churches, schools and other Christian organisations. Pray that the Lord will assist BFS clients to navigate change and progress their entrepreneurial visions in a complex landscape – with both faith and wisdom. Wednesday 15th: The Association’s Discipleship and Leadership Development group would like you to pray for the LiteHouse Training day happening today. This is a gathering of new Solo or Senior Pastors or Associate Pastors heading towards senior leadership roles. Pray that this day today and later on 26th November, would be times of inspiration, encouragement, challenge, empowerment and equipping. Pray that God would raise up more leaders who would engage in pastoral and cross-cultural ministry and mission. Thursday 16th: The BaptistCare team would like us to pray today for all the various services and ministries which they provide to numerous people. Pray for wisdom as they continue with the work of the national merger through restructuring teams. Friday 17th: Please pray for health, unity and love in our movement. Pray for churches and pastors whose affiliation and accreditation is in transition at this time of change. Pray for the love of Christ to be with everyone, providing grace, peace and hope in the midst of the challenges of this season. Saturday 18th: We are experiencing significant migrant shifts globally and it is causing such exciting change around the world, as well as certain level of anxiety and fear of the unknown for some people. Please pray that as a Baptist family, led by our compassionate and loving Lord Jesus, we continue to welcome, serve and empower our migrant communities, leaders and churches. Sunday 19th: Praise God for baptisms happening around the country today at the conclusion of Baptism Week. Pray that we might be a movement that celebrates, talks about and offers baptism regularly, as we witness Christ in our communities, are called to mission, and see people coming to faith. Pray that those people who have been recently baptised will grow in faith and witness and be a hope and challenge to others. Monday 20th: Pray for the Association’s Communications and Events Team under the leadership of Aaron Veart, as they help us move towards 1000 healthy churches in a generation, keeping us reminded of our mission and connected through numerous means and in many events. Tuesday 21st: The Regional Ministers from across our movement will be gathering in the Hunter Region from today until Thursday. Pray as they visit churches and pastors, pray, strategise and encourage one another that God would bless this time and thus refresh and empower the Regional Leaders to continue their valuable leadership, ministry and mission across all the regions in our movement. Wednesday 22nd: Please pray today for our micro-church network. Pray that God would reach communities through this ministry and mission to individuals who may not otherwise engage with faith and the Gospel. Thursday 23rd: Please pray for the Assembly Council of the Baptist Association of NSW and ACT. Pray for the leadership which they give to our movement. Ask God to grant them wisdom, insight, understanding, discernment and guidance. Give thanks for these faithful women and men who give of their time and gifts to serve God and our churches. Friday 24th: Today please pray for the Coast Churches Network (our regional ministry in the Central Coast) and for Regional Minister Phil Blair (Senior Pastor at Green Point Baptist Church). Pray for Phil and team as they encourage our churches in the Central Coast to develop leaders, invest in church health, missionally multiply disciples and reflect God’s heart for justice. Saturday 25th: Continue to pray for Shelley Ashton and the Association’s SRE team. Pray for ongoing positive relationships the Baptist Association and other denominations have with the Department of Education, negotiating timetabling of SRE in schools and the introduction of SRE into new schools across the State. Sunday 26th:On October 27-29 Baptist leaders from around the country – from Myanmar churches and the wider Baptist churches – will stand together in Parliament House to advocate for the protracted conflict in Myanmar. They will be advocating for three things: humanitarian aid, refugee visas and pressure on the junta. Please pray for wisdom and courage for our Baptist leaders – and wisdom in action for our government leaders. (standwithmyanmar.com.au/) Monday 27th: Pray for our Baptist pastors serving as Police Chaplains within the NSW Police Force. Pray for them as they serve police officers and the communities around them. Ask God to support them in challenging circumstances, during times of trauma and emergency, and in difficult conversations. Pray that God would raise up more leaders to serve Jesus in these key missional roles amongst the Police. Tuesday 28th: We live in a time of great need, grief, anxiety and inequity. Give thanks for the hope we have in Christ and for the example of how to live according to the example he sets. Pray that our churches will respond to their communities with love and grace, meeting needs with an expression of God’s heart for justice and in response to Christ’s call to mission. Wednesday 29th: Pray for our regional ministry “Greater West for Christ”, which serves the western suburbs of Sydney. Pray for Mark Chapple the Regional Minister (pastor at Penrith Baptist Church) and the GWFC team. Pray that through GWFC’s ministries and businesses, churches would be encouraged and resourced to grow in health, raise leaders, multiply in mission, and people in that part of Sydney would be impacted by the love of Jesus. Thursday 30th: Continue to pray for Morling College, especially today as Open Night is held. Pray that many prospective students will attend and be inspired to study at Morling, and that conversations with them will bear fruit. Friday 31st: Pray for the Association’s Church Health Team members as they interact with churches, sometimes in challenging circumstances. Pray also for their regional Church Health Facilitators as they support churches in their regions. November Saturday 1st: Pray for our Canberra regional ministry. Pray for Regional Minister Nick Barber and his team as they bring together pastors, leaders and churches across the region for relationship building, resource sharing, raising leaders and reproducing congregations. Pray that the churches in Canberra would be fruitful, healthy, missional, and seek to promote justice and grace. Pray that our churches in Canberra would have a Gospel impact on those who work to lead our nation from its capital. Pray for our national leaders, that they would lead with justice and mercy and be opened to the grace, love and truth of Jesus. Sunday 2nd: This month, a number of our churches will be celebrating BaptistCare Sundays in their services, where the work of BaptistCare will be shared, prayed for and supported by local congregations. Pray for these services and the work of BaptistCare. Monday 3rd: Praise God for the opportunities the Morling Residential College provides for students from Macquarie University to encounter Jesus in everyday life. Pray for residents who are still exploring faith, that they would be open to the hope of the Gospel. Pray for Morling students finishing their studies for Accreditation, that they will complete their courses well and step into the ministries and roles God has prepared for them in 2026. Pray for Morling’s Special End-of-Year Chapel service which is being held today. Pray as students, staff and local churches gather to give thanks. Pray it will be a time of worship, encouragement, and renewed vision. Tuesday 4th: Please pray today for our newest regional networks for pastors in areas where regions have not been active. Pray for these growing networks in the New England, Sydney Central, Sydney Cumberland & Parramatta, Sydney Northern Beaches, Sydney South West and Sydney Northern Suburbs. Pray for these networks to birth strategic, supportive and fruitful relationships with local pastors and churches so that, together, they can best fulfil their mission as local churches in their communities. Wednesday 5th: Please pray today for the Association’s Church Health Team (CHT) led by Tim Burns. Pray for them as they support local churches in difficult times, and equip all churches towards greater health and effectiveness. Pray especially today and tomorrow as the CHT conducts training of church consultants who can support churches in growth towards deeper levels of health and fruitfulness. Thursday 6th: Pray for our Baptist Civil Chaplains who serve in prisons and hospitals. Pray that God would protect them in their ministries and mission, and use them to share God’s love and grace to people who are seeking, hurting or in need. Please pray that God would continue to raise up more leaders to serve in these crucial areas of Gospel mission amongst and beyond us. Friday 7th: Pray today for Marbuen Diaz and our growing networks and partnerships with our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) pastors, leaders and churches. Give thanks for programs like P’RU and the Intercultural Circles which are culturally safe places of welcome and partnership for leaders across a diversity of churches. Pray for this fruitful ministry and for Marbz as he leads it in partnership with CALD pastors and leaders. Saturday 8th: Today delegates, leaders and members from across our churches will be together at Ryde Baptist Church and 7 live sites across NSW and ACT. Pray for our worship, the speakers, the discussions and deliberations. Ask that God would move in a tangible way and be present with each person who is participating. Sunday 9th: Pray for our Creating Safe Spaces presenter team as they continue to facilitate training workshops for our churches. Pray that these training workshops will be beneficial and effective for those attending in continuing to see our churches as safe spaces for all people. Monday 10th: Pray today for the ongoing work of BaptistCare. Pray for the official opening, today, of BaptistCare’s new residential home, Glendale Lodge in the suburb of Elderslie near Camden. Tuesday 11th: Today is Remembrance Day. Along with Baptist World Aid, pray for an end to wars around the world, and that we would honour God’s call to live in peace with others. Wednesday 12th: The BFS team would like you to thank God with them for the commitment and skilled oversight of the BFS Board. Pray for the directors as they meet next month and spend time with the Sydney office team. Pray also for Joel Narayan from Open Doors Australia, who has joined the BFS Board this year as part of the Board’s Internship program run by CMA. Thursday 13th: Please pray for Transform Southern Sydney (our regional ministry in the southern suburbs of Sydney) and Regional Minister Jamie Wendt (Senior Pastor at Padstow Baptist Church). Pray for the team as they equip and encourage pastors and leaders towards this mission of seeing 100 healthy churches transforming the suburbs of southern Sydney. Friday 14th: The Bedford College team wants to thank God for the faithful leadership of CEO Steve Dixon and his team. Please ask God to bless their leadership and the care they show to Bedford students. Thank God for the opportunity to service both international and domestic students and to enrich their journey beyond Bedford College. Saturday 15th: Pray for our churches and ministries which are part of the Riverina Baptist Network. Pray for David Strong (Regional Minister and pastor at Wagga Wagga Baptist Church) and his team. Pray for encouragement, strengthening and empowering for ongoing ministry and mission in the region. Sunday 16th: Please give thanks and pray for Lorna Harper and the Kiah Ridge team. Pray that Kiah Ridge will continue to be a place of peace and grace. Pray for the school groups which visit most weeks that they will sense God’s presence and experience his love. Pray for the churches, community groups, teams and events held as many provide significant ministry and mission opportunities where God works powerfully in the lives of guests. Pray that Lorna and her team continue to provide the hospitality and service which allows guests to seek God in peace, safety and welcome. Monday 17th: Pray today for Sarah Alarcon and the Association’s Baptist Youth Ministries team. Pray for the impact this team has in our churches as they support, encourage and equip youth leaders, youth pastors and youth groups throughout our movement. Pray for the Regional Youth Facilitators partnering with BYM and the regional teams throughout NSW and ACT. Ask for God to multiply fruit amongst young people in all our churches, that they may come to know Jesus and be discipled towards him with life long results. Tuesday 18th: Please pray for Pete Davies, Regional Minister in the North and Mid-north Coast Regions (and pastor at Boambee Baptist Church). Pray for Pete as he leads and encourages pastors, leaders and churches in that region to work together to see healthy, missional, Kingdom growth in the North Coasts. Wednesday 19th: Tonight we’d love you to join us for our Spring Prayer Hour at 7.30pm. You can REGISTER HERE to join us online. Please pray that God would bless this time of prayer and would deepen the spiritual dependence of our churches and leaders in God, as evidenced through meaningful and powerful prayer across our movement. Thursday 20th: Pray for Ridgecrest, the Christian Conference Centre which is part of our Western Districts Region, situated on the shores of Lake Burrendong near Wellington. Pray for Director Renee McClure and her team. Pray for their numerous camps and events, and for the impact of the Gospel on many lives through their programs and hospitality. Friday 21st: Pray for wisdom in ministry planning for children and families ministries in our churches. As some kids and families’ ministries conclude in Term 4, and others prepare to launch in 2026, ask God for clarity and guidance. So many missional connections with the local community occur through ministries with kids and families such as playtime, mainly music, kid’s clubs, and after school programs. Pray that God would be at work through these ministries – drawing children, families, and whole communities into lives of hope in Him. Saturday 22nd: Please pray for churches across our movement which are currently seeking new pastoral leadership. Pray for guidance and discernment for both churches and pastors and for the provision and development of more leaders to pastor existing churches and plant new churches, all towards greater health, ministry and mission. Sunday 23rd: Please continue to pray today for the ministry of SRE in our public schools in NSW. Pray that our churches will catch the vision for SRE and the opportunities to share Jesus in their local communities. Pray for opportunities teachers will have to share the message of Christmas in SRE classes and special assemblies in the coming weeks. Pray also for the recruitment of new teachers for 2026 as other teachers retire or move on. Monday 24th: Please pray for the churches in the Hunter region, for Regional Minister Matt Brown (Senior Pastor at Swansea Baptist Church) and his H100 regional leadership team. Pray for their work raising leaders, training interns, promoting justice, establishing networks and planting churches in their mission towards seeing 100 healthy churches transforming the Newcastle and wider Hunter area. Tuesday 25th: Please pray today for the impacts of increasing unsettled and unsafe situations around the world. Pray for war torn regions in Europe, the Middle East and in various areas in Africa and beyond. Pray for peace, harmony, help and justice. Pray for those displaced from home and family and experiencing trauma and poverty as a result. Pray for the work of our own worldwide movement and our partners who bring hope, help and healing in Jesus name. Pray that they would have the people, resources and opportunities to make a difference in the places of greatest need and pain. Wednesday 26th: Please pray today for churches which are struggling to find volunteer leaders, teachers and helpers. Pray for God to raise up passionate and gifted volunteers to contribute gifts, skills and experience to local faith communities throughout our movement. Pray also for the churches who are struggling with finances after the recent economic challenges. Pray for God to provide the resources needed to fulfil the vision and mission of the local church, regions and movement. Thursday 27th: Pray for Living Hope Funerals, a faith-based funeral service which is part of our Transform Southern Sydney Region, and for David Richardson who leads the LHF team. Pray for the continued growth of this business which ministers to grieving families while also releasing resources for Baptist ministry amongst our churches. Pray for the LHF team as it shares the love of Jesus with hurting families. Friday 28th: Pray for our South Coast churches and the regional ministry there, headed up by Regional Minister Michael Bate (pastor at Woonona Baptist Church). Pray for Michael, his regional team and for churches in that region to grow in health, leadership development, mission and justice. Saturday 29th: Pray for Doc OConnor and the Association’s Church Multiplication Team, for each member to be energised and guided by the Holy Spirit as they encourage, facilitate, guide mission and support church plants across our movement. Give thanks for the number of new plants in NSW and ACT over the past few years. Pray for our Gen1K Fund to grow as we sow and invest strategically in new and growing churches. Pray for those who sense God’s call to church planting to be filled with courage and creativity. Sunday 30th: Let’s pray together, alongside the Ministry Standards Team, for victim survivors of abuse across our country and especially those who have suffered abuse in churches. Pray that they may know the peace that comes from Jesus in the midst of the pain they feel. December Monday 1st: Pray for churches preparing to share Jesus in local communities and Christmas events over this month. Praise God for these opportunities, that new friendships will be made, Christ witnessed and people welcomed into faith communities. Pray for newcomers and regular Christmas visitors at churches around the country this Christmas period, that they will feel welcomed, encouraged to return again and experience the love and grace of Jesus. Tuesday 2nd: Jenny Casey and Association’s Affirmation for Ministry Team are grateful that God is leading people into pastoral leadership. Pray for the 32 people who are currently accreditation and recognition candidates, who will have their candidacy reviewed this month. Pray for those interview panels and the candidates as they connect to discuss achieved and outstanding requirements. Wednesday 3rd: Following on from yesterday’s prayer point, please pray for a further 30 pastoral leaders beginning the application process for ministry affirmation (recognition or accreditation) in 2026. As they have just begun their first steps, pray they are encouraged as they reflect on their leadership, ministry and calling. Continue to ask God to raise more leaders as we move towards seeing 1000 healthy churches in a generation in our movement. Thursday 4th: Pray for Tim Williams as he has recently joined the Association staff team, assisting to process Safe Church Health Check applications lodged by churches, amongst other strategic projects. Friday 5th: Please pray today for the Baptist Insurance team including Bettina Potter BIS State Director for NSW/ACT. Give thanks for the service BIS gives to Baptist Churches and pray for wisdom and guidance as they continue to navigate current changes in order to best provide affordable insurance support for our church properties, thus supporting our churches to continue with safe, sustainable and healthy ministry in our communities. Saturday 6th: Pray with the Bedford College team that the seeds planted in the lives of their students would grow into lives of purpose and faith. Pray that God would renew the students as they rest and prepare them for what’s ahead. Sunday 7th: BFS asks us to pray for the development of an Organisational Faithfulness Statement. This is a statement of practical theology that will support, inform and safeguard their work as a Christian organisation. Pray for the BFS team to continue fixing their eyes on Jesus as they live through their values of enabling Christian ministry to thrive. Monday 8th: Louise Bartlett and the Association’s Children and Families Ministries Team ask us to pray for leaders. As the year comes to a close, pray for all who serve in children and family ministry – junior leaders, volunteers, and coordinators. Pray that they would finish the year strong and encouraged as they reflect on what God has done. Ask that they would be refreshed and equipped for all that’s ahead. Tuesday 9th: As youth groups wrap up their ministries for the year, ask God to bless the leaders and refresh them over a break to return in 2026 with enthusiasm and faithful ministry and mission. Ask God to raise more leaders who can invest into the lives of youth and young adults across our churches. Wednesday 10th: Give thanks to God for our Baptist chaplains in the Australian Defence Forces. Pray that they will be good witnesses of God’s love and grace as they continue in leadership and mission to men and women in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Pray for God to provide more leaders to join them as ADF chaplains to minister in this strategic area. Pray that God will protect our chaplains, physically, spiritually, relationally and emotionally and that our churches would find ways to support them in their callings. Pray also for the families of ADF chaplains, especially when those chaplains are posted away from home. Thursday 11th: Continue to pray for BaptistCare as they roll out a National BaptistCare Christian Identity policy and complete final work to determine BaptistCare’s national purpose and values statements. Pray that God would continue to work his acts of love and care through BaptistCare in this expanded way across Australia. Friday 12th: Please ask God to bless Tammy Earnshaw and the Godspace Team. Pray for this quality SRE curriculum as it is used not only amongst Baptists in NSW, but by numerous SRE providers and children’s ministries in a number of spaces. Saturday 13th: Pray along with Baptist World Aid for women in Bangladesh who are part of BWA partner’s Self Help Groups that they would work together to escape poverty and improve their communities. Pray also for BWA’s partners in Uganda, that children there would have access to food, education and safe spaces to play and learn. Sunday 14th: Pray for Sylvia Groves and the Balance Services Team as they serve many of our churches in assisting with financial management. Pray that God will use their skills to support churches to fulfil their calling in their communities in healthy ways. Monday 15th: Please pray today for the members of the Pastoral Standards Committee who undertake the challenging tasks associated with ensuring our pastoral leaders serve in healthy and safe ways in our movement. Give thanks to God for these faithful leaders who serve in generous ways. Tuesday 16th: Could you pray today, along with Baptist World Aid, for the BWA partners working in Myanmar. This can be a dangerous time in Myanmar, so please pray for safety as they help people meet their needs, seeking shelter and safety from conflict. Wednesday 17th: Pray along with Crossover for the opportunities to run kids programs, camps and beach missions around Australia over the upcoming summer break. Pray for the teams who will run these programs and for the children and families who will hear about the story and love of Christ. Ask God that there would be good connections back into local churches for ongoing discipleship, community and growth in faith. Thursday 18th: As Christmas approaches, Baptist World Aid asks us to thank God for coming to this world, and for the hope that Jesus brings to all of humankind. Today is International Day of People with Disabilities. Pray that people with special needs would be included and valued in communities around the world. Pray also for BWA partners in India, as they help families find ways to earn an income, that many would be lifted out of poverty. Friday 19th: Please pray for our Association’s Finance and Operations Group under the leadership of Heidi Tak (Associate Director, Operations). Pray for them as they have a vital role in keeping many of our ministries well-resourced and running smoothly. Saturday 20th: Thank God for His faithfulness to Morling College throughout 2025, and for the unity they have across campuses as one College serving His mission. Pray for Morling students enrolled in summer units, that their studies will be rich and transformative. Thank God for churches who have recognised and affirmed people to study at Morling in 2026. Pray for strong partnerships as they work together to equip people for mission and ministry, including through financial support and prayer. Sunday 21st: There appears to be growing spiritual hunger in Australia according to data from McCrindle Research and NCLS in Australia and similar research overseas. Pray that people in local churches would increasingly understand themselves as disciple-makers and be equipped and released to engage in this ministry amongst a growing generation of people seeking for spiritual meaning, hope and purpose. Monday 22nd: Please pray today for our Director of Ministries, Steve Bartlett, and for his Executive Leadership Team (Heidi Tak – Associate Director, Operations; Craig Corkill – Associate Director, Discipleship and Leadership Development; Jamie Freeman – Associate Director, Mission and Church Development, and Grae McWhirter – Associate Director, Strategic Support and Regional Development). Pray for them as they continue to lead the various ministries and services provided to our family of churches and pastors towards 1000 healthy churches in a generation. Pray for wisdom, insight, vision and favour on them. Tuesday 23rd: Please pray today for Jonathan Bradford and the Ministry Standards Team. Pray that in the sometimes difficult, complex but vital work of supporting victim survivors and churches, God would provide his grace, mercy and wisdom to the team. Wednesday 24th: Families throughout the world will begin Christmas traditions today and this evening. Many churches are holding special Christmas Eve services tonight. Pray that as people busy themselves with Christmas events, God will grant times of peace and spaces for reflection for people to remember the coming of the Messiah to love, serve, deliver and save. Thursday 25th: Pray for all the special Christmas Day Services which will be held in our churches today. Pray that there will be great celebrations in these communities and that people visiting will experience the love of the local faith community and the grace of the message of the coming of Christ. Pray especially for people who for whom today is one of sadness, loss and loneliness. Pray they would find comfort in local church communities and hope in Christ. Pray that the fruit of today would be transformational in many lives. Friday 26th: Please pray with gratitude for our GodSpace SRE curriculum designed to be used in SRE classes in primary schools. Give thanks for the encouragement arising from GodSpace winning awards recently. Saturday 27th: Following on from yesterday’s prayer for the Godspace Primary aged SRE curriculum, please pray for the team writing a new High School SRE curriculum called FaithSpace. Pray that God would provide and lead them in developing this new key resource to be used to share the love and grace of Jesus in SRE secondary school contexts. Sunday 28th: Pray for people from our churches who serve as school chaplains. Pray for them as they practically share Jesus’ love through caring actions, particularly to children and young people in need. Pray for the Greater West Chaplaincy network which supports numerous chaplains in churches in the western suburbs of Sydney. Pray for the vision to see this ministry spread to other regions as we desire to impact our communities with love and grace. Monday 29th: Pray today for HopeStreet and Woolloomooloo Baptist Church. Pray for the Pastor and Community Chaplain, Ken Hall, as he ministers love, mercy, justice and hope to the disadvantaged and marginalised in the inner-city area of Sydney. Give thanks for the churches who assist by providing and serving rough sleepers with breakfast before the WBC Sunday service each week. Pray for fruitful, loving and healthy ministry and mission to flourish in that part of Sydney. Tuesday 30th: Please pray for the churches in our Northern Rivers Region and for Regional Minister John Wilson (pastor at Lismore Baptist Church). Pray for John as he leads the regional team and for Steve Hales who continues to work as a community chaplain in disaster relief. Pray that the churches in the Northern Rivers will grow in health and be fruitful in ministry and mission. Wednesday 31st: Give thanks today for God’s faithfulness, provision and care during 2025. Pray that 2026 would see God’s power evident through our churches and in communities across NSW and ACT. Pray that God would impact many lives next year with the love and grace of Jesus. |
NSW Baptist Insights September
MAF October Prayer Letter
Announcements
Prayer for the Nations 11/9/2025
When Doubt Meets Grace: Discovering God’s Presence in the Shadows
Reflections on Ephesians 1 and 2
C.S. Lewis emphasized that grace is what truly distinguishes Christianity. Grace is not about our efforts or achievements; rather, it is God’s decision to save us out of His own love and goodness. We do not earn this grace—instead, we receive it through faith, by simply accepting God’s gift with open hands. Even our faith is a gift from God, leaving no room for boasting. Faith is much like a beggar reaching out, humbly receiving what is given.
Once grace takes root in our lives, we are transformed from beggars into God’s masterpiece, created anew for good works that God has already planned for us. By His kindness, we are made new and called to a life filled with purpose.
Faith in the Midst of Uncertainty and Pain
Picture yourself in a quiet moment—perhaps in your car, or at home—eyes brimming with tears, wrestling with the ache of loneliness or pain. Maybe you utter a hesitant prayer, asking, “God, are you here? Are you with me?”
It’s in these raw, honest moments that our faith is most deeply tested. We encounter suffering, uncertainty, heartbreak, and, through it all, seek evidence of God’s presence.
Life does not spare anyone from suffering. Every person, at some point, experiences pain—whether it is loss, disappointment, illness, anxiety, or injustice. The world and our own lives can feel deeply broken.
It can be tempting to believe that strong faith will spare us from hardship, that God will intervene and rescue us from every trouble. Yet even those with deep faith encounter pain. Sometimes, God doesn’t heal as we expect. The illness remains, the grief endures, the wounds persist.
But suffering is not evidence of God’s absence. Rather, it is a natural part of life in a world that is still unfinished, still longing for wholeness.
The Depth of Faith and the Light of Grace
True faith is not the belief that God will always change our circumstances. Sometimes, it takes even greater faith to trust in God’s goodness, kindness, and presence when darkness remains, and miracles do not arrive.
“Discovering God’s Presence in the Shadows”—encourages us to seek God’s presence even in seasons of doubt, fear, and suffering. God’s love is often revealed not through dramatic signs, but in ordinary moments, in steadfast care, and in the gradual light of grace that dispels our shadows. Doubt is not weakness; it is often a normal part of the journey of faith and can lead us to deeper trust and unexpected encounters with God.
Blessings, Len 22/8/2025