Prayer & Praise: May 17-22
Heavenly Father, if I should suffer need, and go unclothed, and be in poverty, make my heart prize Thy love, know it, be constrained by it, though I be denied all blessings. It is Thy mercy to afflict and try me with wants, for by these trials I see my sins, and desire severance from them. Let me willingly accept misery, sorrows, temptations, if I can thereby feel sin as the greatest evil, and be delivered from it with gratitude to Thee, acknowledging this as the highest testimony of Thy love.
When thy Son, Jesus, came into my soul instead of sin He became more dear to me than sin had formerly been; His kindly rule replaced sin’s tyranny. Teach me to believe that if ever I would have any sin subdued I must not only labour to overcome it, but must invite Christ to abide in the place of it, and He must become to me more than vile lust had been; that His sweetness, power, life may be there. Thus I must seek a grace from Him contrary to sin, but must not claim it apart from Himself.
When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me by showing me that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch, but in Christ I am reconciled and live; that in myself I find insufficiency and no rest, but in Christ there is satisfaction and peace; that in myself I am feeble and unable to do good, but in Christ I have ability to do all things. Though now I have His graces in part, I shall shortly have them perfectly in that state where Thou wilt show Thyself fully reconciled, and alone sufficient, efficient, loving me completely, with sin abolished. O Lord, hasten that day.
Valley of Vision
wonderful prayer!
“Teach me to believe that if ever I would have any sin subdued I must not only labour to overcome it, but must invite Christ to abide in the place of it, and He must become to me more than vile lust had been; that His sweetness, power, life may be there.”
teaching us not only to labor to subdue sin,
but also inviting Christ to take pre-eminence over our vices,
to love Him more than the sins we have indulged in..
to Love Him more, to be more passionate for the growth and glory of His kingdom,
His will be done.
In Christ,
We live and move and have our being
we are reconciled
In Christ,
there is satisfaction and rest
In Christ,
we can do all things as He strengthens us
In Christ,
love overcomes fear
In Christ,
we do not have a spirit of fear,
but of power and love and sound mind.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gifts to us!
Amen to the posted prayer…and praying with Sister C and for MB…and for Pastor Michael.
I’m sitting at my mom’s side … at her computer. Her heart rate is so fast & she is so weak I don’t think it will be much longer until she passes … but then again … I didn’t think she could hang in here this long. Strong of heart she is. 🙂
So far she has been calm & in no pain … praise God! I promised her she would go from my arms to His … no pain. I pray I can keep that promise.
My mom is home where she wants to be … we have all had our chance to say everything that needs to be said to each other … she knows we are all getting along … and she knows where she is going. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Thank you all again for keeping us in prayer through this time. I have seen blessing after blessing mixed in the struggles. God has been here … & is here.
Michael, Thank you just doesn’t seem strong enough … but … thank you.
Nancy….to be able to say all that you wanted, and for your mom to have spent such a sweet time in the presence of those who love and care for her, is such a gift. You have lived out in front of us, and in the real-reality of your home, honoring one who is dying well.
Prayers are being lifted continually that you all will have the strength to continue to wash her feet and hold her hand and usher her into eternity with the whispers of a life well-lived before the Lord. I trust confidently that He will embrace her from those whispers with shouts of “well done”.
May God uphold your arms for your task. May He Himself strengthen your heart as you both mourn and rejoice in this. May He allow You the space in the shelter of His wings to grieve and to feel all that you need to feel in these moments.
May You be encouraged and the fear of death that gnaws at all of us be banished from your midst as you see your mother with no fear. May God’s presence, and the reality of the Him who is I AM be so strong and so present with you and in your home.
Praying as I go about my duties today.
Nancy…bless you for for letting us be a part of this journey.
I mentioned last week a little boy my boys have been praying for. They found a brain tumor in Ethan a year ago after he had headaches he couldn’t shake. It’s been a torturous year for him, just turning 9, dealing with chemo and radiation and complications.
Ethan went home to be with the Lord last night at 5pm.
Please pray for Ethan’s family, and for all the children at this school who have faithfully prayed daily for him and are now in the midst of trying to understand something most of us cannot get our minds around.
i feel badly for all the Body of Christ who are missing the blessings and affirmations here – it is very stirring to see and to realize the cost to Michael to maintain this ministry … God keep him and all who’ve turned to help him
Please pray for Pastor John Duncan (DMW or DMV 🙂 ) and for his beloved wife Debbie.
My heart goes out to them. JD is such a good husband. I hope to be one-tenth the man he is.
Sarah,
Praying…but praying seems so weak in the face of that kind of tragedy.
Visited with my sister as we sat with Jeff today. He’s had a bit of a setback and had to go back on the ventilator. Although he’s in a coma he does respond to stimulation. He’s progressing and I’d appreciate if you could keep Jeff, Julie, and their three children in your prayers.
I watch my sister live out her faith during this storm and can’t help but think of the needs represented here. God bless you all.
E,
Thanks for the update on Jeff … praying ….
Sarah,
My heart breaks for Ethan’s loved ones … praying for peace that passes all understanding …
Sarah,
Thank you for those beautiful & kind words.
Michael,
Sharing this adventure has been a great help to me … thank you again for providing this place … and thanks for listening.
Prayers tonight for all in this most amazing family….praying for those cherished in our hearts….
This is a difficult day. My mom can no longer speak … swallowing is very hard for her as well. Now getting her meds in her is more difficult … & she can’t tell me if & when she is in pain. Oh … how we need Jesus!
Nancy, just be there yourself. You minister Jesus in your presence beside your mom as she goes through…
praying
Praying
Just want prayer for my job search I truly want to redeem the time and I know it is a blessing to pastor the church but I also need to provide for my family so I need the job that will provide extra and when the finances at church are alittle better maybe look for a small stipend
God knows I just am blessed to fosterparent four kids along with our three thank you Lord for giving me an understanding wife
bigfalamike
Michael…I hear you…we’ll be praying.
I was in the dark when Believe left a prayer request for John and Debbie Duncan. I just came across this today on FB. I hope it’s okay posting this.
” Debbie had to have a blood transfusion — two units – took 12 hours in the ER before we saw a doctor — what if there is ever a real disaster out here? kind of scary
Debbie needed two transfusions of blood the other day. We had to go to the ER. We waited 12 hours outside because there was no room inside. It was so nuts. I really almost did her in. We got there at 10:30am and had to wait until 10:30pm to see a doctor. Then the transfusions took 6 hours each, then they admitted her to the hospital and did some …(tharr be more) Peer into the depthstest to try to figure out why she has such a low blood count.
We are home and have help through tomorrow so we can both get a little rest. But it was like being in an end times movie. This is just a normal day, what happens if there is a disaster out here”
And then this.
” It just hit me that I was on my feet for over 30 hours without a break. They never even offered any food or water to me. My injured leg swelled up and not my pain levels are off the chart. Debbie is resting peacefully but tomorrow it’s back to the doctors for more test to try to figure out why her blood count dropped and I just quit taking pain meds from the accident back in OCT and now it feels like everything is undone.”
Needing blood transfusions for no known reason can be very serious. I am very worried. Many of the reasons for sudden loss of red blood cells without known cause are fatal.
Really need prayer. I am trying to power through my pain without medication. I am a long time addict and I just went through withdrawal a few weeks ago, and now my pain is out of control, but I don’t want to go back on pain meds
DMW,
Praying…for the stress to abate as well.
Praying DMV. Love you man.
Lord have mercy on John and Debbie… an ambulance ride gets you right in the door for treatment – why can’t the ER organize better? Are they all too cheap to hire someone to evaluate folks as they come in thru the doors? Are they afraid they might misjudge and get sued if they did? This is not a sane world we’re living in … Lord Jesus
Pastor John, you’re one tough fella for the shape you’re in – praying with
Part of what made me so mad is Debbie didn’t have to go to ER, there are several options and places to get blood transfusions — tomorrow I see her doctor — pray for my temper I am really angry at him. He insisted on talking to me when he called to tell me that I had to take her to the ER. By law if i didn’t follow his orders, and Debbie died, I would go to jail.
Being a care giver is not just hard, but you have to know that a husband caregiver is under constant suspicion of abuse, I have to explain every bruise she has, and have twice been taken aside in ER and given the third degree. The medical community is not supportive of me at all, they are adversaries and I have have to read the law to cover my own #%*
Pastor John, FWIW – as she got older and wasn’t herself, i went thru the same drill with my mother – save yourself the anger – praying for better insight and better care from these people
i’d send hugs, but they wouldn’t help right now, i know – tears maybe?
John, praying for you and Debbie tonight.
John, joining all in prayer for you and Debbie tonight and in the days ahead.
Michael Whitman…praying for just the right job for you.
A less significant prayer request….but our Sammy (4) fell Sunday evening and bruised his shin and his ankle. I took him in Monday for x-rays and the dr thinks it is just badly sprained, although there was something a little funky about the growth plate.
He still can’t put any weight on the foot and is just not a happy camper. Prayers appreciated that this is just a bad sprain.
praying tonight for Sammy and all the family members of those who come here to be gathered under an umbrella of special protection from the Lord as the enemy stalks and wounds and distracts, i come before Your throne, Father to pray against this one who hates us. Blood bought from his slavery i come in Jesus own Name to pray that he would be impotent to distract us from You.
i praise You for prayers clearly answered, blessing clearly from You and for this gathering of honest Saints. What a wonderful kingdom is this kingdom of our Lord.
P.S. to Sarah, i think we’d all agree that prayers for our hurt children are not less significant 😉
praying, MB, that that cast will just help your son stay focused on those exams (hard for a teenage boy to do) and that he will be successful and proud of his results
i have a praise (a child blessed in very trying circumstances today)
Sarah…praying for Sammy (and you 🙂 )
All, a minor request, but I’m having a procedure tomorrow that requires sedation and I don’t respond well to that stuff. I’m a little nervous, too. If you would send up a prayer, I’d appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.
one last scan thru the prayer list
God keep all close and comforted (praying for Linnea’s safety tomorrow)
Thanks so much, Em.
One more– a good friend’s brother has been battling liver cancer and had been approved for surgery in CA. He and his wife traveled there and when they’d opened him up, they found it had spread into his chest wall. They sewed him back up. Please pray for healing for Juan and strength for his wife Lorrie.
praying for those in need tonight, praising with Em, Lord help us stay strong admist the trials. How we need you, and we so love you Lord. Help us, go before us, make a way for us, and be our strength.
lennea, praying for you.
4 am — I WANT TO SLEEP – going nuts – and I have t see Debbie;s doctor in 6 hours – I think I am going to take duct tape and put it on my mouth
dmw….praying for you, for some rest and peace.
Thanks all for prayers for Sammy 😉
Linnea…praying for you this morning.
Well I got through seeing the doctor and going to the lab — the girl how is our helper right now is a 17 year old that I’ve known from Church since she was born, so I was good and kind to the doctor.
thanks for the prayers. Now I have to call and make appointments with more doctors to try to find out why her blood count dropped off so fast.
I think I will take Cami, our new helper with me. I always behave in front of the kids —
DMW…glad it went well.
All, thank you for prayers–the procedure went well and I am resting comfortably 🙂
Another praise…I am starting another job next Tuesday that I’m very excited about. The previous one was taking a toll on my health and I’m so thankful to the Lord for providing this new one.
slept 10 hours last night – pain went down to livable level — thanks to all
Debbie is still resting peacefully — maybe resting too much 0 I am a bit worried. We was loosing a little more that 1 point of Blood a day – we just had her checked again yesterday sot see if that trend continues. Is her blood level keeps dropping by more than a point a day, I don’t know what they will do. What ever it will be I am sure it won’t be pleasant
So very glad to hear this about your pain!!! Praying for Debbie still.
praying
this morning i read that the super-collider has shown that matter prevails over anti-matter and that revelation gave some of the scientists there goosebumps …
i know that that matters, but… praying for what ultimately matters … “all glory to Jesus, begotten of God. the great I AM is He. Creator, Sustainer and, wonder of all [wonders] the Lamb of Calvary”…
Guys and gals, can I ask you to pray for a woman in our fellowship here who has partnered with us in this church plant pretty much from the beginning? Her and her husband are great servants and have been involved in lots of ministries through our church. She has been ill for a few months, and going through dozens of expensive tests and scans. Today, she received her diagnosis: MS. Please pray for Kerry. Thank you folks!!!
Well….Sammy did fracture his little leg. He’s been such a trooper all week that we really thought he had just sprained it and was being stubborn about not standing on it. When he still wouldn’t today we took him to the orthopedic dr and after a better x-ray we can see the hairline fracture (kinda like a candy-cane going up his shin).
So, little man is in a cast for at least two weeks….
praying for Sammy to be a fast healer
Jim, Praying
Sarah, praying
reading the list and praying with
Lord, i confess that i need patience with imperfection, but thank You for bearing with us as we flail our way thru allowing the passing scene to become our reality. thank You for faith shown here in every word, no matter what the circumstance, no matter how we express it, we’re expecting You to bring us thru – and You will – thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank You
Pray for Oden’s son Seth. Oden posted this on FB:
” It’s 1:27AM and Seth is so uncomfortable that he can’t sleep. We have no idea what is happening to him. He just cries and thrashes around. He doesn’t seem to be walking very well either. This next week of tests should reveal something.
God has Seth in His hands, but it’s hard to see him suffer like this.”
Jim…praying for your dear saint.
Sarah..keeping Sammy and you all in my prayers.
Oden…praying for little Seth and you all and for quick wisdom and discernment. Have they checked for meningitis?
Jim…..I meant to mention that I was praying!!! Somehow I didn’t post that. Praying this morning for Kerry.
praying for little Seth – that walking thing warrants a call to the doctor, i think – Lord, hold this family close and safe
off to walk my dogs and pray, catch up with you all later.
Nick Hurtado is the nephew of a good friend of mine, who is battling bone cancer, if the Lord prompts, please pray for him. His story can be found here.
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=135373@kcbs.dayport.com
Jlo, I just watched the link, and believe I saw the story the other night. I remember stopping my house work, it left me breathless. Lord have mercy on this brave young, courageous man. Please let his aunt know I am praying.
Lord be with little Seth right now, hold him close, heal him Lord. Be with his family, and cover them with your peace. amen…