Prayer & Praise
You are the God who creates and recreates,
who judges and delivers,
who calls by name and makes new.
This much we gladly confess in praise and thanksgiving.
This much we trust and affirm … only to ponder the chance that we are too glib, that we say more than we mean, that we say more than we can in fact risk.
We make our gingerly confession in a world filled with those who cynically acknowledge none but themselves .. . and we are their fellow travellers with those who in vulnerability have no chance but prayer to you … and we stand in solidarity with them.
Thus we ask, beyond our critical reservations, that you be your powerful, active, sovereign self.
Give us eyes to see your wonders around us;
Give us hearts to live into your risky miracles;
Give us tongues to praise you beyond our doubt.
For it is to you, only you, that we turn on behalf of the world that waits in its deathliness for your act of life.
Amen.
Walter Brueggemann. Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: The Prayers of Walter Brueggemann (p. 124). Kindle Edition.
My cousin called twice yesterday and he’s in a dark place. He’s lived a very difficult live and he called because he is afraid he may have crossed the line as a Christian that God may cast him away. He seemed broken and was crying but was fixating on every passage that told him his faith was false. We made some headway talking but he needs fellowship and to get whatever counsel would be appropriate to bring him through this.
The dynamic between my mother and I has changed and not for the better. I took her for a haircut and shopping yesterday and she was very rude towards me telling me to shut up (which she finds amusing) in front of others in the store. I imagine this is the fallout that was to be expected after what happened with my sister last month. I need prayer to have a godly attitude during this time. Thank you.
Praying for you, Erunnner…
I desperately need a job and income.
Not much else I can say..
praying for you both.
Thanks, GG…
My cousin called again today and we had a good discussion. He seems to be internalizing that he belongs to God and that he needs to pretty much lay a new foundation with God’s enabling from which to begin from. As we talked I hit triggers that would almost bring him to tears. We would talk through each issue with me hammering home how much he is loved by God even when he was at his worst.
When someone comes to me in such desperation I can’t help but wonder why me as I feel so absolutely unqualified to offer any real help. Yet God used what little I had to offer and my cousin is in a much better place now.
His name is John. Please remember him as you pray.
I’m in the process of filling out the online disability application form. There is a possibility that the approval process could be expedited because we do have good documentation and Rob is the main wage earner in our house, but if not the Social Security office has a 5-6 month backlog of applications. The woman who’s helping us has some standing with the local SS office because they know she only backs serious filings, so I’m grateful for that. She’s never lost a case, but there’s a first time for everything. I just really want this to go through as quickly and smoothly as possible.
My cousin called today wanting to again rehash his salvation. We spoke about that a little and then I steered the conversation to the practical stuff. He is without a vehicle which he sold due to a warrant for a ticket. He is unemployed. He is staying on a boat in exchange for work he does. He’s maybe worked six months where it wasn’t cash under the table so unemployment is iffy. He uses a friends phone to call. I called my brother in law who is a pastor and his church runs a mens home. They have two beds open (6 total.) 90 days where you stay at the house and go to services and wake up at 6a.m. every morning. After 90 days you go and try to find work. You’re welcome back if that fails. I’m in the process of trying to set this up. Prayers appreciated.
Praying, E.
My wife went to U.S.C. medical center today. She saw an elbow specialist. What she learned is her elbow is at the end of its rheumatoid arthritis journey and she’s an excellent prospect for elbow replacement. We will be looking at May for the surgery.
She will now see a hand specialist as her deformities are putting her tendons at risk of rupturing. After that we will deal with her ankle and spine which are also of concern.
She’s dealt with a lot of pain and misery through the decades but never complains, even through her past surgeries. Please keep Belinda in prayer.
Thank you Nonnie.
you’re a good man erunner.