"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Ti. 2:1-4) Paul used this passage to seriously exhort Timothy on the most important task: requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone and kings. This itself is an earnest prayer. Today Hong Kong has six million citizens and the need is great. As Christians, we should regularly pray for Hong Kong before the throne of grace of the Heavenly Father. We ought to take up this responsibility to pray and keep watch for the heads of our government, people and those in authority, because it is good in the eyes of God and acceptable in God's sight. This in turn enables us to live peaceful and quiet lives. When I think about peace, I was reminded about John 20. The Lord of the resurrection manifested Himself to His disciples, and two times He said to them, "peace be with you!" In verse 19, the Lord said to His disciples: "peace be with you!" After He said this, He showed them His hands and side and again said, "peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." The Lord said "peace be with you!" two consecutive times but each with a different meaning. When the Lord said it for the first time, it was a regular greeting used by the Jews when they greet people. When it comes to the second time, the disciples have witnessed with their own eyes the wounds on the Lord's body, and they realize that this is truly the Lord of the resurrection. And the Lord said, "as the Father has sent me, I am sending you." When it comes to our mission responsibility, it reminded me of the "Great Commission". The Lord of the resurrection gave the "Great Commission" to the disciples - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (Mt. 28:18-20) This is truly a promise given by the Lord! The Lord of the resurrection wanted to be with His people until the end of the world. He wanted His people to become His disciples, and not only will they become believers but become disciples. In the book of Acts, the word "believers" only appeared twice, but the word "disciples" appeared 36 times. During the period of the apostles, the disciples modeled after their teachers and so by doing they learned to emulate Christ. In this generation where peace is needed, we ask God to bestow "peace" and "commission" on us. May we take up the commission given by the Lord in one heart. Amen!