Dear Brothers and Sisters of West Highland,

We are now into the fourth week of our lockdown and this is my third Prayer Communiqué to you. It has been encouraging to hear news from many who are seeking the Lord in these challenging days. It is also encouraging to know that we are all trying to stay connected with each other even though we are physically apart. This Prayer Communiqué is just one of my ways of connecting to you and encouraging you to pray by yourself and with others virtually.

Today’s announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that the numbers of people who have contracted COVID 19 is just under 1.6 million. In Canada, the number is 20,000, and the number in Hamilton is about 200. With these sobering statistics in mind, here are some information items and prayer points you can bring before the Lord.

• Depleting medical equipment and supplies is now beginning to be replenished. PTL! Let’s pray for further increases so that our hospitals and health care workers have everything they need.

• Our COVID 19 Serve Team has been able to assist four families in our church this past week by delivering groceries. They also assisted 8 international students. Let’s pray for them and the families they are helping.

• Donna Laidlaw, the wife of Dale, our Church Administrator, is hospitalized in North Bay after an accident. She is now sitting up and there is no damage to her spleen. Pray for her recovery as she is still in pain from broken ribs.

• Sadly, one of our church family, Ana Ruth Vadillon, is mourning the death of an aunt in the Philippines due to COVID 19. She is very concerned for her family there and needs our prayer support.

• Our Wednesday evening Prayer Meeting is continuing via Zoom on Wednesday evenings. Pastor Ken Ingram is leading this and would love to have you join him with others from the church family. To get involved just call Pastor Ken at 519-608-3794.

• Sharon Weir is also leading a prayer time on Zoom every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. She also would love for you to join her and others. She can be reached at 905-730-0338.

• For the past three Sundays we have had record numbers joining our online broadcast. People are taking part from all across our region, Canada and seven foreign countries. PTL! Encourage your friends to join us on Good Friday at 10:00 a.m. and Easter Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Pray also for this time of online worship will be uplifting to all who participate.

• The Deacons Council had an amazing time together on Zoom last Saturday. A total of 38 people were on this call. Pray for our deacons as they continue to serve the church.

• Daily Devotions with Pastor John on our Facebook page Monday to Friday is a brief time together at the beginning of the day (8:00 a.m. live) for you to receive encouragement from the Scriptures. About 90 are joining every morning and even more later in the day. Consider participating and pray for this time.

• Pray for our Pastors, Ministry Directors and Elders as they are attempting to connect with the church family by telephone, etc. to pray with people and encourage them during this time. Pray for Pastor Ken Ingram who leads and coordinates this ministry.

• Pray for those in our church family who live alone. This can be a very difficult time for them.

• Let’s keep on praying for our Prime Minister, Premier and Mayor as they give leadership and make important decisions to safeguard the healthy and security of all Canadians.

• Pray for God’s purposes to be fulfilled through this pandemic. It is not clear to us why this is happening but we need to trust the One who is Sovereign over all things. Pray God might use this to turn the hearts of people away from the idolatries that bind us and give us new hearts of faith and service to God.

If there are other concerns that you have please don’t hesitate to contact the church office and let us know so that we can pray. Periodic requests will be sent out on the prayer chain and I plan to send out this Prayer Communique each Thursday and keep you all updated.

I am missing greatly being with you. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy, because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about you, since I have you in my heart.”

May God speed the day when we will all be physically together in worship again.

John Mahaffey, Lead Pastor