a Conundrum

"And when the hour had come He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.  And He said to them, 'I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' 

"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.' 

"And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'  And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

"'But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Me on the table.  For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!'" Luke 22:14-22

As we move closer to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the new hope for life, it is good to begin to imagine what it must have been like for Jesus. 

Although He knew what awaited Him beyond the horrible suffering and death He was facing, knowing would not have comforted Him.  Yet He trusted His Father and determined to pay the price for the hearts of the world, so they would not be lost from Him for eternity. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  Please send updates!  For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   It was Adrian's, birthday over the weekend and I did not know!  Not one person remembered and during this time of difficulty with his health it has hurt him very much.  He is so fragile from his battle with cancer.  Please pray God sends him a friend to care for him as he walks this difficult road to recovery.

To Adrian from other prayer warriors:  "Adrian, please know that we pray for all those who no one ever prays for.  We started 2 days ago.....so we were praying for you on your Birthday.  But also know that we pray for all those on this list everyday when it comes out.   God knows our hearts and many pray for you as I send this e-mail out to a special list of people who are good prayer warriors.  Happy Birthday.  God loves you.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:   Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time.  Pray for Birgit who is in Germany.

Please pray for the many individuals in India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious! 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Hans' surgery went well and he is home now recovering.  He had some amazing opportunities to witness to others of how the Lord has changes his spiritual life too!  Carlton (painful bone infections) is feeling a bit better finally. 

 PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Pray for my brother, Tim, that his COPD (cardio-pulmonary artery disease) is manageable for him and that he will have the patience and wisdom to cope with the limitations. 

Fion's father is now in a hospice and they moved his mother to a nearer place so they can be together.  But they have had to move his father again.  Pray for the family and for his carers. 

Baby Saige faces a lifetime of surgeries, procedures and time in hospital.  Please pray for all those who care for her, especially her family.

Please pray for those who care for Deepak's wife who was "diagnosed with a level-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over.  Please pray for her to be strong and find a stronger faith as she recovers. 

David R losing his eyesight due to macular degeneration.  I hope to go home to see him before he can no longer see me.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his return to the ministry.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cares for her. 

Pray for Raven as she regains her strength from the cancer treatments.  Patty, who lost her three year old daughter four years ago has sent a most amazing letter of thanksgiving.  She is not 100% but says she is around 85%. 

Continue to pray for Scott for mental and physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly.  Pray for the two surviving sons of Melanie Karunaratne in New Zealand. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio walked out of his abusive work environment yesterday and needs our prayers now more than ever - he lives in Mexico City.  Paul NS has had such an adventure trying to find a role again.  Please keep him in your prayers that he does not give up.   

 For PJ that he may find projects to fill his needs

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS: 

Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways!

Elaine and Jim in Hong Kong have begun a new ministry.  Please pray the Father keeps guiding them in their work. 

Isaias & Judith need our continued prayers.  "The summer here in Manila is giving us unfavourable climate and is getting hotter and hotter every day. Measles and chickenpox are rampant.  Please pray for God’s protection upon us."  They head the efforts of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines.  The financial needs are so great, please consider contributing...just click on Ambassadors for Christ link above. 

For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter.  For Reg.  Pray for Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.  Pray for wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter.  For David K, in his studies and Matthew K as he grows up.  

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations and individuals suffering from global financial mismanagement.  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.