Darkness, Quiet & A Shout!

"And when the sixth hour had come, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. 

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice,

"'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is translated,

"'My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?'" Mark 15:33-34

There is NO moment in history to match this moment.  When for a brief time, the Father had to look away from the sin of the world that covered Jesus and clung to Him, as Jesus chose to take my sin and your sin to Himself; to pay the price we should rightfully have had to pay, to save us for all eternity.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the LOVE of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone dare even to die.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 4:3-8

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."

From Adrian:  "Dear D, I am weeping with thanks for this caring feedback Thank you my friends. I will go to healing rooms shortly in Caboolture. may the lord continue to bless you all. I have never been touched in this way that I can recall, thankyou Lord."

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.

"I am excited to report that Baby Saige, her parents and 3 yr. old sister came up in the front of the church Sunday (Saige was attached to her oxygen tubes, but looks so sweet from the back, as her mother held her, with dark hair, in contrast to her blonde-haired sister!) so her father could publicly thank the congregation "and all others praying around the world" for the many miraculous answers to prayer and the pouring out of love and gifts to the family during Saige's many medical procedures so far and all the ones yet to come. He broke down, overcome with tears of joy, a couple of times. -- I just had to share with you and the other prayer warriors what an impact your prayers are making in this family's lives!"

"I was touched reading Adrian's response to his belated birthday wishes and prayers.."

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.  

* "Trusting God" is copyright protected since 1988 by Jerry Bridges.  All rights are reserved, including translations.  The ISBN is 08910-91742.  I quote carefully from his book.