Prayer & Praise
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Interesting juxtaposition of this prayer and yesterday’s TGIF. Hopefully I can recognize and live graciously in that divine tension.
It ain’t easy, CK…as you well know…
We truly don’t have the strength and must rely on God’s love and care in this evil time … Michael and Captain and so many dear souls on dusty’s list…. still relying on the Holy Spirit, asking Jesus’ to intercede and lifting your names to the Throne of God
Em, thank you beloved sister.
Speaking of divine tension, I know that I have been immensely blessed, so much for which to be thankful. Yet, right now, I’m dealing with discouragement. Most likely, God is protecting me from something I can’t see and/or preparing me for something other than what I have envisioned. Either way, I feel hung out to dry and forgotten.
FWIW – this isn’t gospel
I think two reasons Satan attacks
he hopes we’ll embarrass God (think Job)
or
we’re interfering with his plans for the planet (think Jesus)
isn’t gospel, but closer than the prosperity gospel…. IMHO
I’ve told my son as he’s gone thru serious testing that i am so proud of him, but sometimes i wish i didn’t have to be – meaning i wish he didn’t have as much to deal with…. Most likely the same is said by those close to many on the prayer list here and many more who don’t post requests
Captain Kevin
It’s a different season of life. I only know some aspects of your situation, but I can empathize. You have gifts and experience to share, but limited opportunities. You still feel theologically and pastorally vital, but the current scene seems foreign. I could go on… Many of us at this age and stage feel this. I can’t give real or effective advice for you in your situation. What I have embarked upon is simply to give of myself to a few – most of them a bit younger. What I mean by this is simple, mentor and give. If someone needs to talk, then listen. If there’s a book that will help, send it to them. It won’t change the world, but it may help a few in need of what we might have to offer.
You’ll be in my prayers. It can be a lonely place.
remember in prayer
Xenia- chihuahua Lilly passed away
Linnea – Would you please pray for my niece, Danielle? She is living a lifestyle that has landed her in jail several times, is living homeless, and she will certainly die if she is not plucked from this fire.
Remarkably, a pastor bailed her out of jail the first time and tried to steer her to a Christian rehab program, but she would have none of it.
Her mother, my sister-in-law, doesn’t know where she is, but when she saw her last could see the physical changes brought on by the drugs. Please pray also for God’s comfort for Danielle’s Mom, Karen. Thank you…
Duane – friend , Stephen, has passed away
Vicki McClellan – I’ve been struggling since my husband passed. But I have been angry at God for not answering my prayers and healing him. After all, the kids and grandkids and I still need him here. Help me understand.
filbertz – we will be marking our son Drew’s death shortly–two years ago May first
Bart – I was fired from my job last summer. I’m in sales, upon post operative inspection of the 8 inches they removed; a malignant 2mm tumor was discovered and further tests showed the cancer had spread to 1 lymphnode. My prognosis is good, my oncologist is confident, this chemo treatment has a very good success rate.
Three days before Christmas we get a call from Washington State, where my wife’s mom lives and is in the last stages of mesothelioma. It’s hospice and they say if you want to see your mom you better come. I can’t go because of my chemo treatment, so our oldest daughter takes her and they spend the Christmas holiday there. Her mom makes a come back and is stronger when they left than when they arrived.
They return the day after Christmas, also my second chemo treatment.
Then by New Year’s weekend my wife feels like she is getting a cold. By New Year’s day she is running a 101 degree temp and is having a hard time breathing. A trip to ER, where she is admitted while still trying figure out what’s wrong. She is diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, human Neuro virus and because all this is putting stress on the heart, congenital heart failure. A week in the hospital, she is sent home with oxygen and can’t work the rest of the month. My unemployment ran out the end of December and she was our only other source of income.
My three kids step up and if it weren’t for them and a couple of friends, I don’t know where we would be right now.
My wife is now off oxygen completely and is working full time from home. I just finished treatment 10 out of 12 and the end is in sight.
Then we get the call Sunday that my wife’s mom has passed into heaven.
Throughout this whole ordeal, right after I think, “Really Lord?”, I then pray, “It’s all in Your hands and I trust that You will provide just what we need when we need it.
Rent and utilities get paid and we have food on the table. How? Sometimes I just don’t know.
Xenia -Please pray for my best friend and neighbor who is very weak and sick with some mystery ailment the doctor’s can’t identify. She is fearing for her life. Her name is Susan.
Linnea – – getting over shingles, which in and of itself was a trial, but remain exhausted and now depressed. This coupled with a much expanded role in my job leaves me…well, more exhausted and depressed. Please pray that God would enable me to handle the new responsibilities or move me to another position.
captain kevin – I’m in dire need of mental and spiritual strength. I’m ready to take a 20 year nap.
J2theperson – please pray for my church. I can’t go into specifics now, but things are going very wrong right now
Captain Kevin – My blood pressure is too high, causing my left ventricle to work too hard. Dr. added a second BP med and was genuinely concerned.,fibromyalgia, depression
Michael – heart aneurysm and a bad valve, bad back and neck issues.
The New Victor – my mother was moved to icu
j2theperson – There’s a guy who is, wrongly, accusing our church of gross financial mismanagement if not outright illegality. There is no evidence his accusations are true and we actually seem to be on solid financial footing; however, we’ve already had at least one person leave the church because of him and there are quite a few people concerned about his accusations. Please pray he does not cause serious damage to our congregation, that people will recognise him for what he is, and that we will come out stronger for having gone through this.
Captain Kevin – Please pray for my oldest daughter. She is separated from her husband. This is probably the 3rd time in the 3 years they’ve been married. I’m not sure who is more at fault or if there is any abuse, so I just pray for God’s will. They are believers, I think.
brian – Not really asking for prayer just a thought. I will be getting some injections because of a back injury and will be talking with a surgeon concerning a disc fusion. My main prayer use this to help me be a better teacher and Christian, thanks.
JD – Marshal whose mother told him that she doesn’t love him
John 20:29- my cousin in barring a miracle he’s entering the final stages of his cancer… prayers have been appreciated and heard. .. They’ve brought him some good months. Jerry married his high school sweetheart and prayer for her and their 3 children (adults with families) would be so welcome now. They’ve been a close couple and now, even tho she is a Believer, she will face growing old without her life partner…
JoelG – filing for custody of my 2 younger teenagers. I found hundreds of explicit photos of my youngest daughter that I’m sure have been shared.
-My ex, daughter and I met to talk, discipline and love on our daughter. We’re all in the same page moving forward and she will be getting counseling.
John 20:29 – i have a son dealing with a gorgeous 16 year old daughter who is trying to come to terms with womanhood and who is in the custody of her bi-polar mother,
Linnea – Jon and Sarah. Please pray that they would know God’s love and would follow Him out of horrible lifestyles to freedom.
London- my mom who had surgery for pancreatic cancer and back surgery for three fractures in her spine. Caretaking is hard work at times and it seems that I lose track of time pretty easily
the new Victor – pray for God’s protection and mercy upon my children, who’ve been through a lot, including witnessing domestic violence in the other home, and that I am strong and engaged enough to lead them so they don’t turn out like the sons of Eli.
Bob Sweat – we are asking God to open a door to a small church somewhere in the US who want a pastor to love them and faithfully teach the Word.
Michael, Rick, Joel, Dan, capt. Kevin, Owen – wand to hear from God in their prayer life
JTK- ongoing back issue.
David H – Aunt Ramona has Adenocarcinoma primary lung cancer.
Victor- chronic back pain
Lurkie Loo – dear friend with inoperable Stage 4 glioblastoma (brain cancer). She is 44.
surfer51 (david) “stage four” prostate cancer
John 20:29 – cousin Jerry has prostate cancer
Lennea- sister salvation and cancer
Paige- 4 boys to be pleasing to God
Captain kevin – new direction for he and his wife
Dan -new direction for he and wife, looking for a new church
hey Captain, (((Hugs)))) still praying
Linnea, still praying for you and your friends and family. May the Lord grant mercy. Hope mama goat is ok too.
John 20:29, praying for your granddaughter and your cousin Jerry. ((((hugs))))
Linnea (((((hugs))))
Dusty, the prayer for my cousin has resulted in his release from hosp. and regaining enough strength for he and his wife to relocate to the state where their son and his family live. A miracle that means when he passes his wife will be settled in, in a beautiful part of the country, with family. God DOES hear these prayers … thanking God for each one
Em, so nice to read of the positive answer to prayer.
Dusty, thank you as always. (((Hugs))) back to you.
Dr. Duane, thank you so much. I do need to be more mindful in mentoring.
Captain, it may be psychological, but i feel as if a dark cloud hovers over the whole planet… So many are suffering and so much civil unrest, false values, even the planet itself seems unsettled… Prayer continues for you to be strengthened in spirit as well as in body and for all on dusty’s list… Lord Jesus, praying for grace, mercies and truth strength for Your children here and may our numbers increase