Greetings dear friends,
Our theme for this year is “Wait on the Lord”, and as this year is rapidly drawing to an end many of us can reflect back on events and answers to prayer in our groups and in our lives as we waited on the Lord to see what He would do.
For our annual celebration for Prayer Groups for Schools Prayer Day on 2nd September we met at Mt Pleasant Rd P.S. in Nunawading. This was only the second time we have met in a primary school, and it was not only a pleasant, encouraging, and exciting time, but also inspiring as we met with one another, welcoming a good number of first timers.
Attendance numbers were about 100, meeting in the school’s large multi purpose room. Of that number we had 48 schools represented of which were 33 primary schools having 26 with prayer groups and 15 secondary schools with 12 prayer groups. We were very encouraged by this. The furthest distance travelled was from Bendigo. There is still a need to expand our Prayer groups to cover more schools and areas. If you know of any schools wanting to start a prayer group, or would like to “adopt a school” to intercede for them, and/or alternatively perhaps may like to help us on team for a year or two to help us cover more wider areas, we on team are waiting to hear from you. Is God calling YOU?
For those who were unable to attend on the day I’ll share with you some of the day’s happenings. Chiara (on team) was our M.C. and opened with Psalm 40:1-3, then introduced the school chaplain, Karen Wilson, who opened with prayer. She then welcomed the school Principal Lisa Yeoman, who warmly welcomed us to the school. Lisa reflected warmly and with encouragement of the work and commitment that Karen is doing at the school, and the connectedness between the school and wider community, that has resulted through various programmes that Karen has implemented in her 4 yrs as school chaplain. This emphasized the need and importance of chaplains in schools.
Three mothers from different schools gave their testimonies, all focusing around our theme “wait on the Lord “and seeing what He has done .They all emphasized the importance of being part of a prayer group.
LAI POH: from Doncaster P.S. started in Pg when her son was in prep. At first the group met in the chaplain’s room, but as numbers increased they relocated to a bigger room… the after school care room. Here there were toys for the kids so they were amused while mums prayed. They have a multi cultural prayer group so some mums pray in their mother tongue, this way they are all united in prayer, even though not understanding each other.
As time went on, Lai Poh attended an area meeting in Manningham, where the request came for PGS needing a Data base /IT person to fill the vacant gap. She responded and came on team and enjoys being involved and serving in this ministry. We are very grateful to have her help. We waited on God and He heard and answered our prayer. Lai Poh encouraged others to come and join the team too.
ROSEMARY TAN: from Caulfield Grammar and Scotch College spoke next. She became involved in PGS 7 yrs ago when her daughter was in Yr 7, and has been praying weekly since then in schools. She is also a CRE Coordinator for surrounding schools.
When Rosie first started in her PGp it was with enthusiasm and expectation about what she thought could be achieved, but as time went on she learnt it was not what she wanted but what did God want? Our hearts need to be fully committed to praying His will in each and every situation. We need to remain steadfast, patient, believing and faithful, waiting on the Lord, as He can do all things.
We need to pray expectantly, as God is at work even when we can’t see it. She referred to answered prayer… the first was bringing a new Christian Principal to the school. The second was a little boy who wasn’t sure he liked the new Principal, until after being on a school bus outing the Principal sat next to him, happily chatting. His comment later was “He’s really nice and he cares about people!”.
SUZY SONG: from St Andrew’s College, has been involved in PGp for 9 yrs now. When she first started she was a new Christian and was invited to the group. Some of the friends made there are now her lifelong friends, and have enriched her life. As time went on she learnt to pray aloud, and then became a leader of the group. Sometimes they had 2 prayer groups at the school. Some people went to the meeting for the wrong reasons, but God gave her wisdom to deal with these issues.
Last year the school relocated, and that was a tumultuous time needing much prayer, but through that time opportunities arose to pray with others not known before. With a change in her work role Suzy can’t get to the meetings now, but meets weekly with the current leader where they share and pray together. God is blessing, growing and teaching the new leader. We need to put on the full armour of God, praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication.
Our praise and worship was again led by our gifted musicians… Juliette and Lyn, with community singing the songs “As the Deer Pants For the Water” and “How Great is our God “.
Julie (team member) led the 2 prayer segments where we broke into cluster groups of 8 to share and pray together. We really felt the presence of God in our midst as we prayed and praised Him.
We were greatly encouraged and inspired by our guest speaker, Lisa McInnes Smith, who is a renowned speaker, motivator and author. She told us of her experience 15 yrs ago as a mother of a preppie child she asked the school Principal for permission to start a prayer group “to pray for kids in the school”. His initial answer was “No”. But subsequently she and another friend, who is now her best friend, later began praying around the kitchen table, and invited others to join them.
Together this group shared significant and moving highlights, praying for children and families. Lisa re iterated the importance of personally inviting the mothers of school children to join them, regardless of their denomination, as they were praying for their kids, and not just inviting the Christian friends . Get rid of all those labels, knowing God loves us all. When we invite them let them know we want to pray with them. Grow our faith, and love the people. In the prayer group use simple, quick prayers. Be natural and not over spiritual, and have that connectedness. She also encouraged us to be involved in a prayer group, and for some to take on CRE teaching as we felt led, being a God teacher. Prayer prepares us. Wait on the Lord and be prepared to be an active waiter.
Lisa also encouraged us to be involved in the school ministry, be community based as well, such as in PFA, school council, canteen ,where we can be serving more in the school Wait on the Lord and see what He will do.
A very big thank you to Lisa who greatly encouraged and inspired us on the day.
Marilyn, (Coordinator) mentioned in her address the awareness of many individuals and other groups who are praying for our schools, and we thank you for your prayer support there. We are thankful to the faithful PGps that are meeting. Some groups who find it hard to get together email their prayer request to each other, and another option is to get together of an evening. PGS has no Government funding but we are thankful to God for His ongoing provision, and for the generous donations that were given on the day, which we will use to further the work of PGS. Thanks to all who gave on the day. It was very encouraging. If any of you have changed address or now have email and not listed it with us, we would appreciate being informed please, so Lai Poh can update our mailing list. Thank you. We encourage some of you to have an area meeting, and if needing team to help in this field please contact us. Also if you would like team to visit your group, please ask. We want to support you.
God is at work as each of our groups meet, and I want to share an answer to prayer that was passed on to me. A prayer group met on this particular day a bit before 3pm, and felt led to pray for safe travelling mercies for the grade 6 kids returning back by bus from school camp later that afternoon. When they arrived at the school at 3.30 to pick up the kids there was an ambulance next to one of the buses… One of the drivers had collapsed at the wheel with a stroke…6 minutes AFTER arriving at the school. The group had been praying before 3pm when the bus was on the road. So their prayers were answered… the kids had arrived safely. It was that small nudge from God to pray for the kids’ safety…even though they were near the end of their journey. May we be open to those promptings as we pray, as a potential tragedy was avoided through the obedient response of a prayer team. (By the way, they are still continuing to pray for the driver.)
When we pray we need to wait on the Lord, and ask for strength to walk in the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22&23). When we pray in the morning it can make such a difference, pausing before entering the day. “I had so much to accomplish, that I had to make time to pray”. Ask for guidance what to do and say … God is in control.
God is waiting for us to call on Him (Ps.25:4&5) “show me your ways, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth. My hope is in you all day long.”He hears and answers in the ways He knows best, (Ps 40:1-3) ”I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry.”
I pray that as you wait on the Lord you will become aware of the joy and enabling of the Spirit in your lives as you put your trust in Him.
Bless you all as you continue to serve Him, and as the Christmas season approaches it will be a time of Love, Joy and Peace.
God Bless you all,
Marilyn Ford
(Coordinator PGS Vic)
PS. Would you like your school to host next year’s Prayer Day? Please pray about it and contact us.
