A number of years ago, I had the opportunity of going with a mission team from the chapel out to beni in eastern congo drc. It was great to meet other believers thriving and living out their faith in the midst of civil strife. One of the amazing things i will never forget is the music and worship of the people. It was amazing how they lifted their voices in song and dance. I am almost convinced that the congolese church will be the worship leaders in heaven.

On the day before we left, a member of our host church had us over for a barbeque. He was a colonel in the congo drc military. In my conversation with him, he painted a picture of how ethnicity and the clamour for mineral resources had continued to fuel the civil strife in congo drc. I asked him the big question: didn't the christians of congo pray? He answered. Yes we did, in fact we still do pray. Then i asked him, then how do you reconcile all this human suffering. He shrugged his shoulders and said, i will continue to pray till something happens because god has not forgotten us.

It really challenges me to think how an individual in the midst of civil war in their land can continue to have that kind of resolve. If you were to evaluate the kind of prayers that you pray, how would you rate them? On a more sober note, how would god rate your prayers? Scripture is replete with prayers that different individuals prayed to god for intervention over their land. One that really stands out for me is the prayer of solomon in 1 kings 8:22-61.

Solomon:
Praised god within the context of how god has historically been faithful
Acknowledged and declared god's sovereignty
Confessed the sin of israel and of those who came before
Pleaded that god would hear to their cries
Prayed for intervention in time of crisis
Prayed for blessings over the foreigners living in the land
Prayed for god's mercy, forgiveness and favour
Prayed for blessings over the land

It  is my desire for you as a people of god, for you as nairobi chapel, to be people who invest in prayer. Not just for yourselves but also people who intercede for this nation and other nations. Like that colonel friend of mine, he was convinced that god had not abandoned them as a nation even in the midst of civil war. My encouragement to you is this, let us pray like there is no tomorrow. Pray, pray without ceasing 1thess 5:17.

Pastoral Corner: Please pray with Triza Kimani who lost her dad.
Also pray with Dr. Stella & Edwina  Dede who lost their mum.

An african proverb says, “every morning an antelope wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest antelope or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or an antelope, when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.” This is the story of our country in the face of the crisis we are in. Kenyans are divided and this even in our prayers as believers. Some of us are 'running' after peace and there is a camp that is 'running' after justice. The good news however is that both are ‘running' anyway.

Pray therefore for our country that all believers would run in the same direction in their prayers. Pray that we would all speak the same language when we come before the throne of god. Pray that our prayers would not be driven by our political tribal inclinations but that we would all pray the will of god for this nation. Pray that justice and peace would prevail.

It is a curse in jeremiah to put our trust in man instead of god. Pray that kenyans would not peg their hope on the eminent personalities to solve the political impasse but that our trust and deliverance would be in the lord. Pray however that god would use these persons to arrive at a solution. Pray for wisdom, tact, art and skill as they seek to bring together president kibaki and hon. Raila.

The church has been doing an excellent job in response to the humanitarian crisis. Pray against fatigue; that we would not grow wary of lending a helping hand when needed. Pray for those that are specifically on the fore front against any spiritual attacks form the enemy.

God is clearly doing a new thing in and with the kenyan church in the face of all this. Pray that god would fill the church with the knowledge of his will. Pray that the church would be given spiritual wisdom and understanding to realize what god is doing and that the church would particularly bear fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of god. Pray also that the church's concern in resolving the impasse would be selfless and spiritual.

God says in his word that vengeance is his. Pray against the spirit of revenge and that we would all embrace cooperation in place of conflict.

Gift sunday: we will be relocating logos christian school later to our property. This will also help cater for the sunday school need for more classes. The 3rd of march will be our  gift sunday geared towards this project.  

Someone in need:  if you know of any member in our congregation going through trauma or trial,  facing a crisis, celebrating a birth, or just needs a pastoral visit and prayer – please call one of our pastors, or the church office, and let us know on 0722317961. We need you to be our “ear on the ground” so that we can reach out in love.

Donate dry foodstuff: the needy amongst us have increased following the political crisis that has hit the country. Many of these are in need of food and clothes. Help us engage with them by donating cash, air time, dry foods (ugali flour, rice, ndengu, beans etc), bar soap, sanitary towels, diapers, sugar, cooking oil, mattresses, blankets, utensils etc. Drop these at the church compound in the week and we will make them available to those that are in need.  

Social justice:
Nairobi chapel is hosting a lot of internally displaced persons. Many of these have lost property and some their loved ones. We are asking you to directly engage with them as we all seek to be a part of the solution to the crisis that is in the country.

We need a volunteer administrator to help run a shelter that has been set up in karen off langata road to host some of the displaced people for a month or so. Please sign up at the information desk after the service (leaving your contacts) if you would be willing to help in this regard and we will contact you.

Youth vyb: cross roads classes start on the 2nd feb 2008. Parents meeting will be on the 9th feb 2008 at the church grounds.  For any enquiries please call anne mburu. Tel:  0202144473/ 0725417073 youth camp for 14-19 yr olds from the 14th-19th of april.

Expressions service: will be joining the main service this and next week

Adiya ladies.
Next ladies breakfast meeting will be held on the saturday 16th feb, 2008 from 8.00 am to 10.00 am.

There will be a women's school of prayer for believers on the 1st of february 2008 at the home care fellowship on kabarnet road from 8-10 am. The focus of this meeting will be prayer and will be facilitated by pst. Simon mbevi of mavuno. Charges are kshs. 800 and this includes books and refreshments. Please sign up.