“It is faith that connects us with heaven and brings us strength; do not be discouraged by your prayers; God will answer them at the right time,” said Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez during his opening remarks at the Week of Prayer held at the conference hall in Negros Occidental.
Dr. Gonzalez is an associate professor of theological and historical studies as well as the dean of the seminary at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies. He was the guest speaker for the Week of Prayer, which took place from January 20-25, 2025.
To promote spiritual enrichment at the start of 2025 and encourage full submission to God’s guidance, the Negros Occidental Conference (NOC) organized this week-long prayer event for its administrators, officers, and staff.
Dr. Gonzalez presented a series of topics based on the theme “Servants’ Hearts, Sacred Paths: Biblical Leadership for Today’s Church.” The aim was to awaken the congregation to the lessons of faith, the need for grace, and the essence of true love as servants of God.
In one of his sessions, Dr. Gonzalez highlighted the story of Saul’s fall and David’s rise, reminding attendees that they must remain faithful because miracles happen every day.
“Do not rely too much on yourself. We can fail at any moment. Instead, trust in Jesus, for it is not what we see; the Lord sees the heart,” Pastor Gonzalez stated. He further encouraged everyone to surrender themselves to the Lord, who utilizes the gifts He gives to His children.
In gratitude for the wonderful works God has done over the past year and in preparation for the challenges ahead, NOC workers participated in a communion service to conclude the Week of Prayer program.
Pastor Jophone Galanza, president of NOC, expressed his gratitude to all who attended and took the time to listen to God’s word.
Stephanie Loriezo
The original version of this article is published on the official Facebook page of the Negros Occidental Conference.