Privilege of Prayer

"And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, 'O Lord, it is Thou who didst make the Heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them.

"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles is and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur.

"And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy Word with all confidence." Acts 4:24, 28-29

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

"...the knowledge of His sovereignty is meant to be an encouragement to pray, not an excuse to lapse into a sort of pious fatalism."*

Prayer is a privilege.  We do not pray because it is commanded, but because we KNOW our heavenly Father is sovereign over all.  And because we KNOW He loved us enough to find a way to save us despite our sin, then we CAN know and trust that He IS working all out for our good and for His glory and through His LOVE of each one of us.

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

PLEASE NOTE THE PRAYER UPDATES! AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL TO PRAY AND TO KEEP ME UPDATED ON GOD'S PROGRESS!  And 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:   Adrian's has gone quiet and this is a concern, please pray the Lord quiets his heart and gives him strength to endure whatever steps he now walks.  Give his doctors insight and sensitivity.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:  Please pray for Maedhros, who is having a serious operation soon.  Please pray for Michael, a man who is humble and without a home or a job who needs a chance to get his life back to normal.  Pray for BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.

Pray travelling mercies for Jay who is returning home this week.  Please pray for Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of medical challenges and poor care.  Give him energy, strength and resolve.  Bettina needs our prayers to give her strength and wisdom. 

Hans needs employment where he can make an honourable contribution and has applied for a role in a nearby town that could be a healthy step up for him, where he can use his skills.  Help those who receive his resume regard Hans seriously.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Elina has had two wonderful job interviews and thanks everyone for their prayers so far for her as she searches for work. 

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. 

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 Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

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%. 

Prayer update......Scott is doing a little better, he is taking baby steps but he still needs lots of prayers for healing, and ability to think clearly,  he also needs prayers to focus on God which he is NOT doing right now.  He thinks he can do everything himself.

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is in Mexico City.  Paul NS had two special second interviews last week.  At one, the people were not ready and at the other, his sponsor resigned, pray God will grant him clarity, wisdom, hope and a victory.

Deepak needs prayer that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he works through the grief of his father passing.  He needs strength and resolve to make wise decisions.

For PJ that he may find projects to fill his needs.  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. 

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 for protection and good health.  They lead 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:  Pray for revival in the USA to continue.   Pray for Birgit who is in Germany.  Please pray for the many individuals in Singapore, China and India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious!  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 and respectfully from his wonderful book.