In January and July each year, our church would conduct Dawn Prayer Meetings, which allow brothers and sisters to gain strength or recalibrate their paths ahead through personal encounters with God at the beginning and in the middle of the year.

       Continuing the direction of this year’s Bible study, When You/I Encounter…, the organizing committee has chosen the theme “Rowing Towards the ‘Heart’” for this July’s Dawn Prayer Meetings. Starting from brothers and sisters’ personal situations and feelings, we hope participants will become aware of their own experiences and feelings. By sharing these with the Lord Jesus and listening to Him, we will experience His affirmation, companionship, comfort, or guidance, and receive the grace He desires to bestow on each individual and the whole community.

       The first morning is titled “When I Feel Loved and Satisfied…” Together, we will reflect upon moments in our lives when we clearly felt accepted and loved by God. These moments may not necessarily have occurred after we came to faith. Indeed, we might discover the footprints of the Lord’s love even before we knew Him. By uncovering and deeply revisiting these experiences of being loved, we will come to realize that our lives are deeply cherished by the Lord.

       The second morning’s theme is “When I Am Growing Joyfully…” We pray for the Lord to help us see aspects of our lives where He delights in our growth (which could be areas we are already aware of or aspects we have overlooked but which He has observed and appreciated). Through this, we come to know ourselves through the Lord’s eyes and receive His affirmation.

        Rooted in the assurance of being loved and delighted in by the Lord, we can approach Him with openness and trust, courageously presenting to Him the vulnerable parts of our lives. The third morning, “When I Feel Dissatisfied and Angry…,” and the fourth morning, “When I Feel Lost and Helpless…” address situations and emotions we all encounter from time to time—moments when we especially need the Lord. Since the Lord thoroughly understands and loves each of us, He certainly draws near when we are in pain and distress. He desires that we connect with Him in our moments of weakness, allowing His mighty hand to help us, guide us to greater self-awareness, lead us out of bondages of ourselves, and clear away confusion to show us the path forward.

        The fifth morning, “When I Am Amazed by Grace…,” is a time of harvesting fruit. In the Lord’s illuminating presence, we will recognize His grace poured upon us, and we will respond with our gratitude. We also hope that He will grant us the sensitivity to perceive His presence in daily life. Even in what seems ordinary to us, if we pay close attention, we will be amazed to find that those are actually moments when He manifests His grace to us.

         As a gentle reminder, during the Dawn Prayer Meetings, the Main Church will remain open (from the end of each prayer meeting until 6pm) for personal prayer. We encourage brothers and sisters to arrange their own retreat (quiet) day, setting aside quiet time to listen to the Lord and engage in deeper communion with Him and experience of Him.

         Finally, let us pray together for these meetings. Let us ask the Lord to use them and to bless us with the grace of authentic encounters with Him. Let us ask that the Lord would move you and the brothers and sisters around you to attend the prayer meetings together.