Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Free to Receive and to Give


"'Pray, then, in this way:

"'Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  

"'Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. 

"'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen'" Matthew 6:9-13

"'All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

"'Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.'" Matthew 11:27-30

He called us and He saved us to rest in Him and the new life He provides.  When things seem confusing, know He is standing right near you waiting to hug you.  

During the madness of this holiday season, keep that in mind and remember those hugs of His are to share around.  Oh and you don't have to find the wrapping paper, scissors and hope you're not out of sticky tape...they are free and free to give. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays for you each morning, 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 WARRIORSElaine 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 RoomNew 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:  Pray for all those who have no place to lay their heads, the many shadow, street people around the world.

Pray for Adrian at this time.  He will be going into the hospital on the 24th to have a full day of treatments.  It takes from 3-5 days for him to recover from them, but thanks to your prayers, he will not be alone for the holidays.  Pray for Phil (the man who has let Adrian stay in his home) that he has compassion and gentleness especially during this time of recovery for Adrian.

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 SydneyPlease 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:   For the many individuals in Germany fighting for a new freedom.  Help the demonstrations remain peaceful and safe.

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:  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.  Pray for Patty and Doris (who just had her 96th birthday.  She was like a second Mom to me)

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.  

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