Does it matter?

"Then He said to them, 'My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.'  And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed saying, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' 

"And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?  Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.' 

"He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done.  And again He came and found them sleeping for their eyes were heavy.  And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more." Matthew 26:37-44

"Our first priority in times of adversity is to honour and glorify God BY trusting Him.  We tend to make our first priority to gaining of relief from our feelings of heartache or disappointment or frustration.  This is a natural desire, and God has promised to give us grace sufficient for our trials and peace for our anxieties.  But just as God's will is to take precedence over our will, so God's honour is to take precedence over our feelings."*

Think about how Jesus felt at this time.  He knew what was ahead of Him.  The disciples thought everything would be OK, they would soon be in positions of power, and after all, they were tired. 

How could they possibly imagine how much it disappointed and hurt Jesus to realise -- that at this very moment -- when He so needed someone to believe in His mission -- that He would be so alone.  Yet, all He did, all He lived for was to demonstrate the joy and result of offering His life to bring glory to the Father.  That what He did mattered!

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:  

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.

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. 

Please increase your prayers for Adrian who is suffering with the struggle against the pain left in his spine from his cancer. 

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 nearly 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.