Consider Mary

"And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 

"'He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.'

"And Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?'  And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God."  Luke 1:30-35

Mary would have been young but she would have been prepared by the women in her family for her future as a wife.  Unlike many others in this story, she seems calm, but curious. 

She never doubted the truth of what this angel told to her, only wanted to know the "how".  Conceiving out of wedlock or during a betrothal was a very serious and deadly choice for any woman. 

But Mary doesn't hesitate to say, "Be it done to me according to your word." That is trusting God in ways we cannot imagine....but we should be able to.

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

PLEASE NOTE 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!

SOMETHING NEW FOR PRAYER WARRIORS:  Elaine and Jim started a new ministry in Hong Kong and have some great news for those with a gift and heart for prayer:  An online church with a Prayer Room. 

Elaine wrote:  "We realise you know the value of prayer as we've seen your WeakDay Devotions widen to increase more prayer over the years.  We have a team of committed intercessors, so you can be sure of prayer coverage for you. 

New visitors need to register for a login and password and will receive an email confirmation.  The room is open 27/7.  Go here to learn more:  

https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  For the family and friends of the police officers in NYC who were so callously slain, for the people of the city and the nation that something good will result from another tragedy.

In the aftermath of the siege in Sydney:  Please pray for the individuals who went through this ordeal and for their families and friends and all the police officers and pray for Australia that this does not become something we must get used to!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   Bubonic and pneumonic plague has broken out on the island of Madagascar.  Last stats 40 dead, 119 confirmed cases.  The last previously known outbreak of the plague was in Peru in August 2010, according to the WHO.

For those trying to stem the devastation of Ebola in West Africa (Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Mali) and in other countries, as the disease spreads for many reasons:  missed "hazardous pay" for workers, fear, lack of education and hygiene.  As of yesterday there were over 7,000 deaths from Ebola.  570 healthcare workers have been affected and of those, 324 have died.

Also, for those in Europe gearing up to fight a new strain of Bird Flu.

For the situation developing in Israel and for the devastation and death being caused by the group called ISIS or IS.

For those in Hawaii dealing with a volcanic eruption and the lava flow.

Pray for calm, true Christian revival and a return to founding values in the USA.

ONGOING PRAYERS:  For Phil, the man who has opened his home to Adrian that his heart would soften toward Adrian.  The damage from the cancer in his spine is causing increasing pain.  Give his doctors wisdom and compassion and him lots of patience.  Please pray for the little walks he takes each day with his beloved pet, Toby, that they are always inspiring and most of all safe, as Adrian is very frail now.

Isaias & Judith need our continued prayers for protection and good health.  They lead the efforts of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines.  With the many typhoons and floods their financial needs continue to grow as they work in the fields training up labourers for Christ.  Please consider contributing...just click on Ambassadors for Christ link above. 

Buddy and Susan Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell - ministers of grace and salvation in Australia.

Please pray for Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of medical challenges and poor care with dwindling funds and few friends to help.  Give him energy, strength and resolve as he deals with a worldly system that has abused him. 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Nancy, a friend of Hans, had surgery last week and although they did not find cancer, they will still have to perform surgery.  She does not know the Lord, yet.

Please pray for Hans who has just found some work to help him through his challenging times and pray his walk and witness continues to strengthen in his new life with Christ.

Jeff (cataract surgery) is able to see again -- keep praying for him and Rachael, his beloved wife. 

Patti's dear husband, John continues to make progress after his stroke. 

No word yet on the small project for me, but three reasonably good prospects that will have to wait till after the New Year..

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.  Pray for David R as he manages his macular degeneration. 

For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his return to the ministry.  For Nancy who continues to grow stronger after her life-threatening head injury a few years ago, and for Fred as he cares for her. 

Pray for BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.  Pray for Fion as he supports his ageing parents and manages a heavy load of challenges.

Bettina needs our prayers to give her strength and wisdom.  Pray for Raven as she regains her strength from the cancer treatments. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Pray for Paul N-S - as he continues his search for work.  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. 

Deepak needs prayer that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he is on the road travelling, promoting his business.

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!

For Iain Barclay and his ministry, that the Lord would encourage him in his work.  For Sue-Anne as she takes new responsibilities in her church.  A dear friend, Jen, needs the watchful care of the Lord in her life.  For Louise for healing in their family.

For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter.  For Reg.  Pray for Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.  

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, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion.  (This year the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people in these countries!  God is mysterious!)  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.