Corporate Prayer 21 May 2010

Corporate Prayer Items Unrest in Thailand 7 Gates of Influence “Family & Home” Gate

Prayer for Thailand Divine intervention as the spirit of violence and anarchy prowls the streets of Bangkok Peace and righteousness to prevail in the midst of chaos and confusion The light of Jesus to shine in the midst of darkness

“Family & Home” Gate Social Implications & Challenges in our Modern City State

Trends Affecting Families in S’pore Decrease in birth rate Smaller household size More older people Increase in number of dual-working parents Increase in number of divorces Increase in number of single parent families Increase in number of re-marriages Increased awareness of gambling problem and family violence

Challenges Facing Families Harder for family to be the first line of support Everyone is busy doing their own thing Increasing stress in marital relationships, spousal infidelity, divorce E.g. overseas assignments More challenges in bringing up children and youths Strained parent-child relationships Different kinds of addiction

Challenges Facing the Youth Premature school leaving About 1,200 youth drop out of school each year Youth crime About 4,000 youths arrested each year Impact of the cyber world and easy access to undesirable content Different kinds of addiction Emotional and behavioural issues 12.5% of sample size of 2,000 children reported to have emotional and behaviour issues

Challenges Facing the Elderly The number of elderly (>65 years old) will double from 7% to 14% of our population over the next 21 years Increasing need for caregiver support and eldercare services

Gambling Problem & Family Violence 2.1% of Singaporeans have gambling addiction (MCYS, 2005) 76% of family violence cases are spousal violence (Subordinate Court, 2006) Need for preventive and control measures Need for healing and recovery

The Key Role of Fathers “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Mal 4:5-6) The father is key to the family. A loving father bestows a sense of security and self-esteem in his children. The evil one is out to destroy fathers and their commitment to the family.

“Dads For Life” Movement A national movement to mobilize and inspire fathers to play a more active role in their children’s lives Children do better academically, psychologically, emotionally and socially when their fathers are actively involved and have a positive relationship with them

Prayer for “Family & Home” Gate

Personal Reflection In the eyes of the Lord, what is the state of my marriage? What is the state of my family? How am I treating my parents, siblings and others in my family? What am I going to do about it? For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God…1 Peter 4:17

Pray for Fathers Fathers will experience a great spiritual awakening – a revival of the Word, a revival of prayer, and deep personal transformation Fathers will take up the mantle and lead responsibly as God’s appointed heads of household Fathers will be their children’s hero, best friend, confidant, mentor, and role model

Pray for our Next Generation “Our young too shall serve Him, for they shall hear from us about the wonders of the Lord; generations yet unborn shall hear of the miracles He did for us.” (Ps ) Our youth and children will have a personal relationship with God, and continue to love and serve God.

Pray for the Church: God’s Agent for Transformation Every local church will be a community of strong families Every local church will be a safe community where hurting families (within the church and in the community) can find support and help Every local church will work together to minister to transform the “Family and Home” gate in Singapore

Pray for the Helpers People involved in ministry, social and community outreach to families Family life educators, counselors, social workers in family service centres and related organisations etc