“And
it came about while He was on the way to Jerusalem, that He was passing between
Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a
certain village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they
raised their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’
"And
when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, and show yourselves to the
priests.’ And it came about that as they
were going, they were cleansed.
"Now
one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God
with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving thanks to
Him. And he was a Samaritan.
"And
Jesus answered and said, ‘Were not ten cleansed? But the nine – where are they? Was no one found who turned back to give
glory to God, except this foreigner?’
And He said to him, ‘Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you
well.’”
Luke 17:11-19
Here is Jesus trudging toward Jerusalem,
the heart and focus of the Jewish faith, knowing it will be the Jews who plot
His death.
Jesus is fervently teaching His disciples,
reviewing life-changing lessons with them to ensure they’re prepared for the
coming days and these pitiful and hopeless ten men interrupt Him and ask for
His favour and grace. He sends them off unhealed
but to the priests, as if they are healed.
But there is no change in their diseased state.
They head for Jerusalem. Then sense a wholeness in their physical
bodies, turn to one another to see if they are the only one feeling this way
and begin rejoicing as they continue toward Jerusalem. All except one. I can see him, stopped in his tracks, eyes
wide open and filled with tears.
He turns around and heads back to the
Source of the miracle, the new heart of the future of God’s people to – to
share his joy with Jesus and to thank Him for His mercy.
Jesus would be thankful for His
gratefulness and love, but somewhere in His heart, the Lord would feel a deep
sadness. Would only one in ten turn back
to the Source of hope after He is gone?
Would you turn back?
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, who prays
for you each morning, Darlene
URGENT
PRAYER REQUEST:
- · Families grieving for the loss of their loved ones from the plane crash of the Germanwng plane that killed 150 people.
- · Those in Vanuatu - the cyclone was described as apocalyptic and cyclones are skipping across the top end of Australia right now.
- · Please pray the Lord quiets the hearts of those in the USA while racial tension again raises its head. Pray for the police officers around the nation.
PRAISE
AND THANKSGIVING-
- · Adrian - has undergone a transition of his medicine and last night called me to report that he has had his first day in ages to feel able to be up. He is still feeling strange from the new meds and goes to the hospital for his cancer treatment today. He is thankful that the chemo is now over, and thanks everyone for praying for him so faithfully over time.
- · Paul N-S -has had one of the TV series ideas he has written (while he waits for a new role ) accepted and he will receive some funds. Great news! Thank you for praying. He has not had work since 2012.
- · David K celebrates a significant birthday on Monday!
NEW
PRAYER REQUESTS
- · My brother, Tim with COPD (cardio-obstructive pulmonary artery disease), that he has patience and wisdom to manage his health and the limitations to his breathing and to cope with the limitations. He has had three upper respiratory infections in the past months and did not get his flu shot this year.
- · Shan - Needs clarity of purpose and direction for his ministry.
- · Helen Birdsall - remains in hospital recovering. Please pray for her and her husband.
- · Otto - home from hospital recovering from upper respiratory infection
- · Maureen - recovering from surgery on her shoulder.
- · Emily has left. Please pray for her time to rest and consider her options and her hopes to return to Australia.
- · Rachael asks: Please pray for Chris, who is on the wait list for a heart transplant - that if it is God's will for him to get one that the surgery is successful and that he fully recovers.
- · Yangrae and the Uniting Church he shepherds, that he and his family will have the energy and good health to feed the flock he has been entrusted with.
PRAY
FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS
·
Phil (the man who has let Adrian
stay in his home): for understanding,
patience, empathy, compassion and gentleness.
·
David R as he manages his macular
degeneration and a host of other health challenges.
·
Audley's and Beverly's (stroke) situation and his
return to the ministry.
·
Nancy has
plateaued in her efforts for full recovery from a life-threatening head injury. Pray she and Fred will
be at peace and take some time to just be grateful and stop striving for more
from her.
·
BG that his blinding
headaches will finally stop.
·
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.
PRAY
FOR THOSE WITH ONGOING JOB RELATED CHALLENGES
·
Hans - needs wisdom and courage
to guide him during this time, some emergency funds and a reasonable job.
·
Elina - no word yet on results
of her graduate program interview. She
says she is very grateful for your prayers.
·
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 - that his work efforts
begin to bear fruit as he is on the road travelling, promoting his business.
ONGOING
PRAYERS
·
Wezley an 18-year old who has
lost her direction and way, that she will find the Lord in her life.
·
Buddy and Susan
Smith and Kevin and Sandy Currell - ministers of grace and
salvation in Australia.
·
Fion as he supports his ageing
parents and manages a heavy load of challenges.
·
Bettina for additional strength
and wisdom.
·
Isaias & Judith (in Philippines) were
called to train other Christian lay leaders and they work tirelessly in
challenging conditions. Please keep them
in your prayers as they plan the future of the ministry. Perhaps you would like to learn more about
his work there: Ambassadors for Christ --look for Isaias Catorce.
PRAY
FOR THE WORLD:
·
For
Christ-centred, Bible-based revival in the USA.
·
For
the many individuals in Singapore,
China, Russia and India who read the WeakDay Devotion. (The WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by
many people in these countries! God is
mysterious!)
·
The
Catholic Church and that the new Pope will
always put Jesus first.
ONGOING
PRAYER REQUESTS
·
That
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!
·
Jen, needs the watchful care
of the Lord in her life.
·
Linda and Ian. Rob and his daughter. Reg. Annette
and Lyle, Carla and Paul, Jeff and Rachael and
their wonderful families. Thanksgiving
for their practical support over the years.
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. It is open 27/7 and there is an army or
prayers waiting to serve in prayer. Go
here to learn more:
https://www.thelittlechurchworld.org/prayer-room
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