1Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer is not until God hears our voice, but until we hear His.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thess 5:16-18)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

These two Scripture passages are familiar and precious to many of us, and are often among our favourite verses.

Before the staff prayer meeting began this past Tuesday, Rev Stefanie Oh informed me that she would be announcing my upcoming retirement at the end of June to the staff, and that it would also be communicated to the congregation through the bulletins this Sunday (today). As I write this month’s Pastor’s Heart, I would like to take this opportunity, before I retire, to share a few reflections from my heart with all of you.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thess 5:16-18)

I thank the Lord for leading me to serve at Kum Yan Church over the past ten years. This church family has truly become my spiritual home. I have built deep relationships with many brothers and sisters, and throughout these years, I have experienced God’s faithful guidance and abundant grace. Serving in the church has not always been easy, but it has been deeply meaningful. It has been a journey filled with both challenges and grace, and one marked by the joy and fulfilment of responding to God’s call. Along the way, I have grown closer to Him, learning to be humble and obedient, to depend on Him fully, and to give thanks in all circumstances through prayer.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” forms the foundation of a fruitful and abundant Christian life. Yet giving thanks in all things is not easy. We often hear that life is full of disappointments, and as Christians, we too face struggles, low moments, and seasons of sorrow. Still, Scripture reminds us that in every situation, we can bring our needs before God through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. When we do so, the Lord promises to give us a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This is the secret to a life of true abundance, to rejoice in the Lord, to trust in Him, and to experience His victory.

Last week, a pastor friend shared this thought with me: “Prayer is not until God hears our voice, but until we hear His.” This deeply encouraged me and reminded me of the heart of prayer. Prayer is a precious gift that draws us near to God. As we bring our requests, offer praise, confess our sins, intercede for others, and give thanks, we also learn to listen and to quiet our hearts before Him. In His presence, we receive wisdom, direction, strength, and peace. It is also through prayer that we are renewed in times of difficulty and challenge.

At times, we may be used to speaking much to God in prayer, but we may overlook what is even more important, to know His Word, to listen, and to understand His will. This is especially vital for the life of the church, particularly in seasons of growth and decision-making. Otherwise, people may deviate from the Lord’s way and lose their direction. To hear God’s voice, we need to intentionally set aside time to draw near to Him. Through the Holy Spirit and the truth of Scripture, we learn to be still, to laydown our own thoughts and preferences, and to walk in a posture of seeking, trusting, and obeying Him.

My heartfelt prayer and blessing for my dear Kum Yan family is this: whatever circumstances you may face, may you choose, in the Lord, a life marked by thanksgiving and continual prayer. May you experience God’s grace upon grace, hear and understand His will, and live a life filled with His guidance, wisdom, strength, and joy, a life that brings glory to God and blessing to others.