Christmas Greetings to Everyone
It's only two weeks until the Christmas Day, and our family is busy sending cards and picking out gifts for the people we need to show our appreciation. My prayer is that you will have a Merry and Joyful Christmas and this wonderful holiday season!
I also want to update you on the few good news from the Alpha experiences I have been leading. Thank you all out there who have been praying for them. I shared some prayer requests last time, and I want you to continue to pray for us, as we have a number of good things happening.
First, we had a wonderful Alpha weekend away on November 24 and 25. On Friday, we gathered at OPC for dinner and two movies. Then on Saturday morning, we gathered at Youth for Christ for two more movies and the time of prayer. The time of praise and prayer was purely wonderful and glory-filled. We all felt the strong presence of God in the room as we sing and spend time in praying. I felt compelled to challenge everyone in the room to offer and surrender their lives to God completely and I was amazed how everyone responded to it positively.
During our Alpha intercessary prayer time (every Monday morning) before the weekend away, we sensed God wanted to change people's hearts and pluck out any hardenings or thorns in people's hearts and create the soil of good heart, and that's exactly what God did. There were a few young people who literally experienced the removal of thorns/thistles in their hearts - pouring their hearts out and experiencing God's cleansing and removing of their shame/guilt/burden. Korean adult group and Korean youth group were all in tears, pouring their hearts out to God. One girl physically felt her hands being lightened. Please continue to pray that they will continue to be liberated from their guilt/shame/burden/sins and empowered by God's Spirit to seek His amazing plan in their lives.
Then, on healing day, Wednesday December 6, we had a great time of prayer in the Sanctuary at OPC for healing. I wasn't able to pray for everyone and hear their stories. But, for those I prayed for and listened to, I received a great result. One lady was suffering right shoulder pain for almost two years. I prayed and the pain was gone. The following Sunday, she said the pain is gone since then. Praise the Lord! Another lady had a back pain, but after prayer, it's almost gone. I prayed again on Sunday morning for it to be completely gone. I hope others who were prayed for healing that evening will be all healed!
Lastly, I want everyone to pray for Thursday Pizza Lunch Alpha for Riverside Public school youth. I am planning to have an weekend away this Saturday from noon to 5 pm. Pray especially between 2 and 4 pm, when I will spend time with them in praising and praying. Last Thursday, we talked about healing and at the end they shared their prayer requests. None of them is ill, but virtually they all had someone in family who is terminally ill. Also, many of them had hurts from their family member's addiction issue or misfortune in their childhood. I want you to pray that God's love will be poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
In Christ,
John Park