News From Sydney || Thomas Murray

Ge’day Folks! Bryan has asked me to share a few thoughts on being home in Northern Ireland, and give you a few prayer points to consider, for both my time here and in preparation for another year at college, so here goes.

Firstly, allow me to say, how great it is to be back on home soil, and to be seeing so many of you again. It feels like only yesterday that I was saying, ‘cheerio’ but now I am back again, and despite having to brave some very cold weather since returning, I am very thankful for the warm welcome I have received from you all so far!! THANK YOU!

Whilst Christmas is a great time to catch up with loved ones, it is also a great time to reach out to people with the truth of God’s word, and the hope of sins forgiven offered in his Son Jesus Christ. My prayer would be that both at work, and outside it, I would be a living testimony of this great message to friends and colleagues, in sharing the truth of the message of Christmas in both word and deed.  During this time of year we do have many great opportunities to share the truth of the hope we have with others round about us, sharing the true ‘reason for the season’. Perhaps, if you haven’t shared the truth of Jesus with those around you for some time, this could be a prayer point you would consider praying personally for yourself. We all have a great message to declare, it would be a shame if others didn’t hear it, especially at this time of year!

As many of you will know I am of course back to see family and friends, but am also back to make/raise some much needed funds for college. Truth be told, I was hoping not to come home this year, but to continue in my learning in Australia with the many service ministries it has to offer over the college break. However, given that college is expensive, costing approximately £25,000-30,000 per year, I needed to source the finances from somewhere, and so coming home made the most sense.  The ability to get involved with some medical work does indeed help with that costly figure, but still only covers a small portion of it. Please pray that people would be generous with their money whilst I am at home, and consider giving charitably, with a cheerful heart, to aid this great gospel work.

Please also pray more specifically for those close family members who do not yet know Jesus and that I would have great opportunities to share the truth of the gospel with them.  It is constantly on my heart to see them come to know Christ as both Lord and Saviour. Please pray that God would reveal himself to them, and maybe even use me in that endeavour.

As a new college year approaches, please pray also for good refreshment, and amidst all the busyness of working over here, that I would be able to rest well too. Please pray that I would be wise with the time God has given me.

I think that’s enough for now. Please do keep praying and supporting me in whatever way you can. I am looking forward to further catch ups over the next few weeks.

Keep serving and keep proclaiming Jesus.

In Christ,

Thomas